Empowering Haiti's Youth: Closing Ceremony of 'MAP PRAN AVNI M AN MEN' Project

Saturday, October 7, 2023 marked a triumphant close to the transformative "MAP PRAN AVNI M AN MEN" (“I’m Taking My Future Into My Own Hands”) project. Amidst an atmosphere filled with celebration and hope, the Partners of the Americas Haiti-New Jersey Chapters, alongside the 107 young girls and boys who were the main beneficiaries, gathered at the Collège Petit Poucet in Delmas 5. Songs, dances, slams, and theater, among other activities, greatly enhanced the sparkle of the event.

This project was implemented in the commune of Delmas, specifically in the communities of Bas- Delmas: Delmas 2, 3, 4, 6 and 18, and Village Solidarité, from March 1 to August 31, 2023.

The purposes of this project were:
• To strengthen the life skills of 100 young people (boys and girls) age 15 to 24; and
• To foster their socio-educational and economic integration to promote peace and social cohesion in the Bas-Delmas neighborhood; reputed to be one of the most violent areas in Port-au-Prince.

This project has enabled 107 young girls and boys to benefit from sustained training in life skills, leadership, entrepreneurship, psychosocial support, non-formal basic education, industrial chemistry, cooking, and pastry-making. Designed for those in vulnerable situations, such as street children, young people on the verge of joining armed groups, young people with disabilities of any kind, and those without manual trades, this project empowered those who would otherwise not have the opportunity.

The "Map Pran Avni m an Men'' project, part of the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Activity Follow On (YEEFA) program funded by Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Organization of American States (OAS), has been a major step for the Haiti-New Jersey Chapters toward achieving one of its objectives; which is to transform young girls and boys in neighborhoods at high risk of violence into ambassadors of peace. Over the past six (6) months of training, the leaders of the Haiti-New Jersey Chapters have observed significant changes in the beneficiaries. First, their understanding of others has changed. Second, they have become more aware of the extent of the violence they face daily, which they are now determined to eradicate; and they are motivated by the challenge of transforming their respective communities.

In a Haiti where social cohesion is strained and the government grapples with addressing the populace's challenges, the importance of sustaining initiatives like this cannot be overstated. Continuation of such projects becomes vital in steering the youth away from the perilous path of violence. Establishing enduring training programs is essential, not solely for the benefit of disadvantaged youth, but for the holistic betterment of all Haitians. The Haiti-New Jersey Chapters extend heartfelt gratitude to PADF, USAID, and OAS for their invaluable financial support, pivotal in the successful execution of this project.