Statements
Mission
The Joseph School is a primary and secondary school that provides orphaned and disadvantaged Haitian children a world-class education and equips them to assume leadership roles. In partnership with orphanages and community leaders, the school identifies gifted children and assist them to excel academically while building their character and teaching them about the love of Jesus Christ. The Joseph School mission is to educate and prepare tomorrow's servant leaders in body, mind, and spirit.
Background
On January 12, 2010, Haiti was rocked by a devastating earthquake killing over 250,000 people and creating thousands of orphans. In April 2010, Nashville First Baptist Church sent Jim Bryson and two others to scout opportunities to assist with the Haitian orphan crisis. During this trip, Jim became convinced that education was the long term solution to so many of Haiti's problems. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Plus, 85% of Haitian schools are private requiring payment for tuition, books and uniforms. The combination of widespread poverty and inaccessible schools means that 50% of Haitian children do not attend school. Of those who do, 60% do not make it to the 6th grade. Only a very few complete high school (USAID, 2016.)
In the fall of 2010, Joseph School (TJS) was born specifically to provide a quality education along with leadership training to raise a generation of leaders capable of solving the long-term problems of their country. The school has a firm commitment to teaching academics, leadership skills, service and language proficiency in three languages. These subjects are wrapped in a deep commitment to a personal relationship with Jesus and celebrating Haitian history and culture.
Late in 2011, The Joseph School gained its 501(c)3 status in the U.S. and in May, 2015, the Board of Directors commissioned Bildad Michel, a Haitian native, to spend the summer in Haiti finalizing the logistics of opening a school. Michel did an amazing job, and on August 8th, the Board unanimously voted to open the school. On September 24, 2015, The Joseph School opened with 30 first grade students and five Haitian staff members operating in a rented two-story house. Along with educating its first generation of students, TJS began leading mission trips to address the economic needs of its community. Within a year of impact (August 2016), the Haitian Government gifted TJS with 70 acres of land to expand its school and community efforts.
After receiving the land, TJS began constructing its first phase of a permanent campus, which included a gated wall and six-classroom building for grades first through third. In January 2018, The Joseph School student body - then composed of 90 students, 33 Haitian staff and two U.S. staff members - moved to the new campus. The Joseph School is planning to access new students in June 2020, bringing the total student body to 180 students (grades first through fifth) in September 2020
Impact
Expanded to 200 students in grades 1-7
Added a 1st/2nd grade and 3rd/4th grade Grace Class for students in need of extra academic and emotional support - specific to the country wide shutdown from September - November
Now serving over 205 Haitian families, including staff and students;
Introduced new curriculum in math, science, english, handwriting and language arts to supplement Haitian curriculum;
Completed our second classroom building;
Started an on campus library of Creole, French and English primary books ;
Shipped a second school bus;
Completed six teacher trainings;
Prepared and served over 100,00 meals to students and staff to improve learning and combat malnutrition;
Provided over 70 full-time jobs at the school in a country with 75% unemployment;
Soles 4 Souls Partnership - Distributed shoes to parents and others in the community to sell in the local market providing jobs and income for local families
Conduct student health and nutritional assessments twice a year and provide Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for at-risk students
Needs
Goals for the 2022 Year at The Joseph School
Begin building our Chapel / Dining Hall;
Host medical teams to work in the school and community;
Grow to 210 students in grades 1-8;
Growing our student sports programs;
Adding an Adult Empowerment Program for parents and operations staff- this will include an adult literacy classes and entrepreneurial training, which will include financial and marketing strategies;
Initiating a student music program and building a children' choir
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Education N.E.C. |
| Secondary Category: | International, Foreign Affairs, and National Security - International Development |
| Tertiary Category: | Religion- Related - Christianity |
Areas Served
The Joseph School serves the students and families of the greater Cabaret, Haiti area.
| International |
