Konbit Pou Edikasyon

HISTORY

In 2007, A. Michelle Augustine visited Haiti to observe a trial for human rights violations. While in Haiti, she met with members of Pax Christi Haiti who told her of their efforts to create a culture of peace in Cite Soleil Haiti, one of the poorest places in the Western Hemisphere. Michelle promised to help their efforts by donating balls to the group, but as she learned more about the group and the children they served, she expanded her fundraising efforts.

Michelle Augustine, president of the A.P. Tureaud chapter of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), organized the National BLSA Week of International Service to assist Pax Christi Haiti with their Soccer for Peace project. Pax Christi Haiti is a group of young Haitian men and women who are teachers, law students, translators, and other professionals that work on instituting a culture of peace among young boys in Cite Soleil, Haiti.

Augustine, who was also the international relations director of the NBLSA, along with Heidi Kellener Areaux, a law student at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, designed a program and promotional materials for several fundraising drives. The materials were sent from over 25 student groups, and people nationwide, including BLSAs from Georgetown Law School, Pepperdine Law School, University of Oregon Law School and Harvard Law School.

From March 14-16, 2008 students from the A.P. Tureaud Chapter of BLSA and 20 students from law schools across the country traveled to Haiti to meet with Pax Christi officials and personally donate the collected items and money. While in Haiti, the students also met with members of the Haitian legal community and performed community service activities in Cite Soleil.

The students were moved by the intelligence and and great need of the children they met in Haiti. More than half of the children they came into contact with did not attend school because their parents could not afford school tuition. When the law students asked the kids about their needs, the children responded, "All we want is to go to school."

Konbit Pou Edikasyon (KPE) was formed in response to that request.

Konbit Pou Edikasyon is Formed

In Haitian Creole, "konbit" is a traditional Haitian concept of working together to improve the community through a cooperative effort. Edikasyon means education. So the name Konbit Pou Edikasyon means "working together for education." Through Konbit's Education Fund, the group raises money to make sure that each "Konbit Kid" goes to school and stays in school.

Konbit invites people to help the organization by learning more about the scholarship recipients who are fondly referred to as Konbit Kids. Each Konbit Kid has a special story, talent and need.

Konbit's Response to the 2008 hurricane season

Since the student's made their memorable trip to Haiti, the country has been forced to deal with rising food prices which have seriously crippled the already faltering economy. Additionally, the recent onslaught of hurricanes wreaked havoc on Haiti. Hurricane Gustav alone caused the death of over 75 Haitians and left the already struggling country in complete disarray.
Due to the immense destruction Haiti has experienced, Konbit Pou Edikasyon, has worked to acquire donations of clothing and supplies for those in need.
List of suggested items:

* Socks, shoes and underwear
* book bags and school supplies
* vitamins
* first aid supplies
* energy bars
* toothbrushes and toothpaste
* soap and shampoo
* raincoats
* umbrellas
* water bottles
* lunch boxes

Konbit Today

In addition to working to help Haitians recover from from the the onslaught of misfortune that has recently swept through the country, Konbit Pou Edikasyon is actively working to raise money to help pay for the education of those in need. In Haiti, all schools require tuition to be paid for a child to attend and as a result not all children are able to go to school. Konbit's goal is to provide tuition and assistance to all children that wish to go to school but cannot afford to do so.
Konbit Pou Edikasyon is a registered not for profit corporation.

categories: not for profit organizations, organizations based in Haiti, non governmental organizations based in Haiti

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