New Horizon School,
Haiti
Update as of March 2025
Extended violence and unrest in and around Port-au-Prince led to a brutal gang attack on New Horizon School in late February 2023, with the gang occupying the property for nearly 2 years. New Horizon’s devoted director, Mr. Bernard Martinod, his family, and the teachers and staff fled to safety, with a few making their way to the United States. Living under dire circumstances, Mr. Bernard remains in Haiti, persistently seeking help from Haitian authorities and the French Embassy to recover the school.
While the gang has now left, they inflicted significant damage, plundering every removable object and leaving the structures in disrepair. Further, the gang members still have access to the school and come and go at will. Legal action to reclaim the property remains impossible at this time until the rule of law is restored—a prospect that appears unlikely in the near future. Mona is in regular contact with New Horizon administrators and will do whatever we can to support these devoted friends through their current ordeals. Please keep these dear friends and all the people of Haiti in your thoughts as they navigate through this crisis.
About New Horizon
Mona Partner Since 2010
New Horizon School is recognized as one of the best K-12 schools in Haiti for its innovative approach to education including focus on science, technology, environmental protection, fine arts, sports, moral education, and service.
New Horizon began in 1986 when parents in a rural area of Haiti started a kindergarten to educate their children. The school has been expanding ever since and now has more than 500 students, over half of which are girls.
The Challenge
Haiti continues to be plagued with political, social and economic upheavals following the assasination of President Moise last year. Since then, violence, extortion and street kidnappings for ransom have been on the rise, and there is scarcity of the most basic necessities including food. A World Bank March 2022 report indicated that 4.4 million people, nearly half the population, are facing crisis conditions or worse, and this number is projected to increase to 4.6 million by June 2022 as incomes remain depressed and food prices soar. The national literacy rate is 61% over the age of 10. 29% of children attend secondary school and 20% of children do not attend primary school.
The Solution: New Horizon Programs
K-12 School
Recognized as one of the best in Haiti, New Horizon School teaches its students to be agents of change in the sustainable development of Haiti through its commitment to academic excellence, vocational training and service to the community. 95% of its students graduate to the next level, compared to the national average of 22%.
Science Programs - The school has one of the few well-equipped chemistry and science labs in the
country, computer labs for both elementary and secondary students, a SMART room for interactive instruction, and generates 70% of its needed energy through solar powers.
Quality teaching - All teachers are certified by Ayiti Education, considered among the best teacher preparation programs in Haiti. Teachers at the secondary level have four years of university training.
How we help
Since 2010, Mona Foundation has helped fund the building and equipping of New Horizon's primary school, high school, vocational school, computer lab and library. New solar panels have also been installed, as well as a basketball court, laboratory, and white boards.
Updates
November 2021 - COVID19 has caused untold pain and suffering for millions of people everywhere and the end is not yet in sight. Despite the political, economic and civil chaos and unrest, New Horizon increased enrollment from 456 to 519!
Every week since the beginning of October the country has had three days of strike. Scarcity and insecurity is aggravated and there is no gasoline, public transport is almost non-existent and the little that does run has doubled its prices. Despite all this New Horizon has kept their doors open.
"We only go out when it is essential, fortunately we are healthy and keep our spirits up thanks to your support and that of the entire Mona team."
Planting for Financial Independence
With the vision of becoming financially independent and providing more children with access to high quality education, New Horizon is experimenting with an agricultural project growing vetiver and have 25 hectares. They plan to sell the crops to European perfumery companies and use the revenue for the school. Parents who are unable to afford the school fees have the option to work in the fields 2-4 hours per day, depending on the number of children they have at the school.
Ability to Scale
New Horizon’s vision is to create an educational complex that serves the needs of their community and prepares youth to participate in the future development of Haiti. From 2010-2015, the school built a primary school, high school classrooms and a vocational school. From 2016-2020, it added vocational training for new trades each year, covering the hospitality industry, construction, computing, A/C and refrigeration, and agriculture -- all much needed skills in Haiti.
Dedication to Quality
While many teachers in Haiti have only a few years of education beyond the grade they teach, all teachers at New Horizon are certified -- including the kindergarten staff. Many have completed a 3-year program at Ayiti Education, considered among the best teacher preparation programs in the country. Teachers at the secondary level have four years of university. Teaching training, however, continues to be an important part of school agenda and several training sessions are conducted each year to ensure a high quality of teaching and learning.
Caring about the next generation
The students at New Horizon were asked to write an essay on a topic they cared about. Two responses are shared below.
“All around the world, many adults are not conscious of the importance of being a positive role model for young people. The youth are the future of our world. They are looking to adults for examples of good behavior, and they will repeat the behaviors they see. To work for a better future, adults should be loving to children, give them a good education, provide assistance when they need it, and be positive role models.” – Jacques
“Nowadays, corruption seems something normal, not just in other parts of the world but also in Haiti. Around the world today, we see the number of corrupt leaders at all levels increasing and corruption growing. To figure out a solution is very difficult. Forward-thinking countries do not tolerate corruption, so we, too, must reject this, for the sake of progress in our dear country of Haiti.” – Jean-Baptiste
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