overview

Since 2008, AVSI-USA has collaborated with AVSI Haiti on educational projects in Port-au-Prince. In response to the 2010 earthquake, AVSI-USA enthusiastically joined the international groundswell of support for emergency response and recovery in Haiti.

With funding from a private foundation, AVSI-USA supports AVSI Haiti in implementing a project centered around art therapy activities for primary school children and youth through its community centers in Martissant and Cite Soleil. Hundreds of children each semester enjoy art classes, creative workshops, and public exhibits of their own work. 

AVSI Haiti also collaborates with the American Red Cross in the project “We Do Not Stop!”, in which youth from Cite Soleil and Martissant are invited to on take leadership roles in the implementation of an integrated, community drive program that supports youth with positive experiences and learning opportunities. AVSI-USA has supported this project in the design phase and will continue to support the project’s monitoring and evaluation.

Most recently, following Hurricane Matthew, AVSI staff in Haiti found that many children in Child-Friendly Spaces were having nightmares or panic attacks. In the commune of Torbeck of 60,000 inhabitants and one of the communes the most affected, AVSI Haiti had already identified 406 families (about 1,200 children) who require immediate protection and support activities. 

Thanks to the Building Resiliency Through Art project, AVSI-USA and AVSI Haiti support the creation of safe spaces and art therapy activities to help the children cope with their emotions and trauma they experienced. With funding from a private foundation, AVSI Haiti is able to support and implement art therapy activities for primary school children and youth as well as integrate art therapy activities during the school day. Hundreds of children each semester enjoy art classes, creative workshops, and public exhibits of their own work.