A School Born from Tragedy
In January 2010, Haiti was shaken to its core. A devastating earthquake claimed more than 200,000 lives, destroyed countless homes, and left children without families, shelter, or access to basic needs. In the midst of this national tragedy, Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS) responded to the urgent call for action. From the rubble, a vision emerged: to create a safe space where displaced and vulnerable children could learn, heal, and dream again.
This vision became FWAL (Fr. Wasson Angels of Light), a community school and children’s program launched in the aftermath of the disaster. At first, FWAL was a temporary refuge for children who had lost everything—providing food, care, and informal education under tents. Over time, it grew into a full-fledged school, giving children from the poorest neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince a chance at education and stability.
Fourteen years later, FWAL continues to be a lifeline for hundreds of children and their families. In 2024, despite instability, gang violence, and economic collapse, over 600 children were enrolled at FWAL Community School. For many, this school is their only pathway to a better future, proving that education in Haiti remains a vital lifeline.
FWAL classrooms give children the chance to learn, dream, and build brighter futures through access to education in Haiti.
Education in Crisis: Haiti’s Unmet Need
Haiti faces one of the most severe education crises in the Western Hemisphere. According to UNICEF, nearly 500,000 children of primary school age are out of school, and almost 80% of Haitian schools are privately run, making access unaffordable for poor families. Even when children are enrolled, disruptions caused by political instability, strikes, gang violence, and natural disasters often interrupt their education.
Against this backdrop, FWAL’s existence is extraordinary. It provides quality, low-cost or fully subsidized education, meals, uniforms, and a safe environment where children can learn without fear. For families with no resources, FWAL is not just a school—it is the difference between education and survival.
A Student’s Day at FWAL
For students like Jean (alias), a 12-year-old in sixth grade, the day begins before sunrise.
“I wake up at five o’clock in the morning. I walk to school. On the way, I see other kids who don’t go to school, and I feel grateful that I can.”
When he arrives at FWAL, the schoolyard buzzes with chatter and laughter. “We play and joke with friends before the bell rings,” Jean explains. “Then we head to class. During recess, I sometimes study or share my lunch with classmates. At lunch, I eat in the cafeteria with others. Afterward, we return to class until dismissal.”
Jean’s favorite subject is mathematics. “I want to be an engineer,” he says, his eyes shining. “I dream of building big houses and working on construction sites.”
What he loves most about FWAL, however, is not only the lessons, but the sense of community. “The classrooms are good, the yard is full of trees, and we learn well. I just wish the football field was bigger—so we could play 11 against 11 like in a real game!”
Inside the Classroom: Voices of Teachers
At FWAL, teachers provide guidance and encouragement, ensuring children receive quality education in Haiti despite many challenges.
FWAL’s teachers face daily challenges in classrooms that are often overcrowded. “A normal class should have 20 students,” one teacher explains, “but sometimes we have far more. We need two teachers per classroom to manage.”
A typical school day begins with morning devotion—a time of prayer, singing, and the raising of the Haitian flag. Teachers then check uniforms, shoes, and books before lessons begin. “If a teacher is absent, I step in as a substitute,” says a school leader. “We also monitor the yard, support children in conflict, and check attendance. Every day requires flexibility.”
Despite the difficulties, FWAL emphasizes innovation. “Each year we bring new methods. Now students even evaluate teachers. We’ve aligned the curriculum with Haiti’s new education system and introduced measures like exit cards, so students don’t just wander out of class.”
But insecurity has left its mark. “Before the crisis, our students often achieved 100% success in national exams. But with the ‘pays lock’ [country lockdown] and gang violence, many children dropped out or fled their towns. Our results remain strong, but nothing feels normal anymore.”
Beyond Academics: Supporting Traumatized Children
At FWAL, teachers are not only educators—they are also counselors and protectors. “Many children arrive traumatized,” one explains. “Some fled homes burned down by gangs. Others saw shootings or escaped attacks on the way to school. How can you punish a child who doesn’t know their lesson, when you know what they’ve endured?”
For some children, the school cafeteria provides the only meal they will eat all day. Teachers adapt with compassion, creating a safe environment where children feel heard and supported. “We treat them as whole human beings,” says one educator. “Sometimes education is about helping them heal before they can learn.”
Life Beyond the Classroom: Extracurriculars and Growth
FWAL is not only about textbooks and exams. It also offers children the chance to dream, play, and grow through extracurricular activities.
Many students join sports programs, with football being the most popular. Even though the school field is small, children make the most of it. “We wish the field were larger,” one student laughs, “so we could finally play a real 11 vs. 11 match!”
Others take part in summer trades camps, where they learn practical skills that can help them in the future. These camps introduce children to carpentry, sewing, cooking, and other trades—skills that are especially valuable in a country where youth unemployment is high.
FWAL also organizes cultural and environmental awareness programs, teaching children about citizenship, teamwork, and the importance of protecting their surroundings. These initiatives give students a sense of purpose beyond academics, preparing them not only to pass exams but to contribute meaningfully to society.
Parents’ Perspectives
For many parents, FWAL is their last hope. One mother explains:
“He placed me here when I was three years old. If it weren’t for this school, I would have had no way to support my child. I have no means, but FWAL gives him an education and a future.”
Another mother adds:
“When they accepted my child, he became part of one family. His father does not help, he doesn’t even know which grade he is in. But FWAL helps me carry this responsibility. Without it, my son would be on the street.”
FWAL is more than a school. It is a safety net for families who cannot afford private tuition or supplies.
Achievements and Future Goals
Even with these challenges, FWAL’s academic results remain strong. In 2024, the ninth-grade class achieved 100% success in the national exams, a remarkable feat given the instability around them.
The school’s future vision is clear: to become a reference point for education in Haiti, a model of excellence and resilience. Leaders hope to expand extracurricular activities, add subjects like computer science, and continue improving pedagogical methods.
But dreams are tempered by reality. “Our goals are uncertain,” admits one director. “The needs are many, but the times are difficult.”
Student Graduation Statistics 2024
These achievements are not just abstract goals—they are reflected in the lives of FWAL’s students. Every grade completed is a step forward for children who might otherwise never have had access to school. The following statistics show how many students advanced through different levels of education in 2024, offering a glimpse into both the challenges and successes of providing education in Haiti during such uncertain times.
| Students | Pre-primary | Sixth grade | Ninth grade | Fifth grade of secondary* | High-school | Workshops & technical school | University | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine (Residential services) | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Feminine (Residential services) | 2 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Masculine (Community) | 74 | 20 | 36 | 0 | 34 | 10 | 3 | 177 |
| Feminine (Community) | 88 | 29 | 31 | 0 | 47 | 6 | 1 | 202 |
| TOTAL | 173 | 57 | 85 | 0 | 81 | 16 | 4 | 416 |
FWAL in the Community
FWAL’s impact extends far beyond its students. By providing education, meals, and stability, the school helps keep children off the streets—where they might otherwise be recruited by gangs or forced into child labor.
As one parent notes:
“There are many parents who would not have the means, and if it weren’t for this school, the children would be left on the streets.”
FWAL is a beacon in the community, a symbol of hope born from tragedy.
Why FWAL Matters
Education is more than reading and writing—it is a lifeline. For the 600+ students at FWAL, each day in the classroom is a step away from poverty, exploitation, and violence, and a step toward dignity, opportunity, and hope.
In a country where nearly half a million children are out of school, FWAL stands as proof of what is possible when commitment, compassion, and resilience come together. It is one of the strongest examples of how education in Haiti can transform lives.
From Earthquake to Empowerment
FWAL Community School was born from one of Haiti’s darkest moments, the 2010 earthquake. Fourteen years later, it remains a living testimony that even in the face of disaster, hope can rise.
Each day, when Jean and his classmates walk through the school gates, they carry not only books and dreams, but also the resilience of a nation determined to keep its children learning.
FWAL is more than a school. It is a family, a refuge, and a promise—that education in Haiti will endure against all odds. With your support, this promise can reach even more children, offering them the chance to learn, heal, and build a brighter future.
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