Friday, within the framework of Universal Schooling Program, Free and Compulsory (PSUGO) whose mission is to enable all children to have access to school without distinction, the Ministry of Education inaugurated two new educational center for street children in Cap Haitien (North) and Hinche (Centre), in addition to three others already in operation in the West (Port-au-Prince, Delmas and Croix-des-Bouquets).

Now three departments across the country (West, Central and North) are equipped with of social and academic integration centers for street children, serving nearly 1,100 children since its launch in November 2012. Responding to the wishes of President Martelly, the creation of these centers aims to facilitate access to education for this particular group of children.

The ceremony took place in the presence of departmental education authorities, of the coordination tea of PSUGO and representatives of the City Hall, of the Police, the Ministry of Social Affairs, of the departmental delegation and a crowd of street children who have not hidden their satisfaction.

Belamour Kelly, a 14 year old says no longer want to stay in the street washing private vehicles in hopes of pocketing a pittance. "I say thank you to the Ministry of Education. Through this program, I'm finally going to school," promising to get to class every day. Same reaction for Estiverne Keven, 10, who speaks of his dreams and projects as engineer. Élinor Pierre wants to study medicine and solicits the assistance of the state to achieve its objectives. "I want to stay in school to prepare my future."

Ms. Juliette Phanor, the National Coordinator of the program, welcomed this new step taken in the supervision of street children, stated that a whole range of services was available to ensure the retention of young people in these centers. "They get free everything they need for their education: health kits, uniforms, shoes, textbooks, school bag and a hot meal, in addition to the supervision of psychologists and social workers who accompany teachers. Older are not only oriented towards schooling, but also can integrate the parallel circuit of vocational training by appropriate training programs."

Remember that this project is implemented in partnership with, among others: the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour and the National Police of Haiti, through community police and the Minors Brigade, who bring their contributions to the Ministry of Education, in order to achieve better supervision of young people who are moving in the street.

S/ HaitiLibre