Resilience in Caps and Gowns
Instead of allowing difficult circumstances to hold them back, HELP graduates use them as fuel to create lasting change in Haiti.
In December 2025, the Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP) celebrated the graduation of the classes of 2024 and 2025. In total, thirty-seven students earned their university degree. This accomplishment is a true testament to their perseverance!
SETBACKS
Most university students expect to experience setbacks. They may change their major, lose a grandparent, feel disoriented about what vocation to choose or make a poor grade in an important class.
HELP graduates of 2024 and 2025 endured tremendous obstacles to reach their graduation day. These students were victims of violence throughout their university years, including HTF sponsored HELP student, Alexandre Dahana. She shares that, “life has not been a smooth-flowing river; I have faced some of the hardest trials I can remember, including a home invasion that forced my family and I to move, but as a future leader of Haiti, the determination to move forward far outweighs the disturbances. We refuse to wallow in self-pity and instead actively seek solutions.”
The Haitian Timoun Foundation is one of HELP’s longest (and largest) supporters due to a relationship between HTF Founder, Dr. Rick Barger, and HELP Executive Director, Conor Bohan. The organizations have grown alongside each other, and we have had the privilege of investing in HELP’s mission. Rick Barger says about the December HELP graduation, “The perseverance they endured through hardships, danger and turmoil got them to achieve their dream of a university education. They demonstrated grit, which, I think, is the best predictor of success in anyone. This a victory for the leadership of HELP, their supporters, and, of course, the students.” As a community, HTF is privileged to celebrate this monumental occasion with the entire HELP family! They continue to teach us what grit and steadfastness look like.
HELP SUPPORT
Students in the HELP program are supported by their university staff and also the HELP staff, in addition to their fellow students. The HELP advisors play a vital role in providing academic and emotional help, especially during dark days. HTF-sponsored HELP student, Cleus Macdonald said, “it was alarming how all the gangs expanded their territory, kidnapped, and even killed Haitians. At these moments of acute violence, I was demotivated, but my personal goals always came to the forefront to re-motivate me, and I leaned on the wisdom and support of my HELP advisor to complete a successful academic period.”
Cleus is not the only one who credits his HELP advisor with helping him to overcome obstacles in order to reach his full potential. Another HTF-sponsored HELP student, Vincent Jean-Wesley, said, “Suffice to say that things did not go as planned this semester, but we move forward. I continued to develop academically and personally, becoming more mature in managing my relationships and stress with the help of my HELP advisor, who has guided me in the key areas of my life.” Vincent’s ability to not just get through the dark days, but to learn lessons from them are evidence of his maturity. He has a vision for his future and remains committed no matter what comes his way.
LEADING THE WAY
These thirty-seven HELP graduates follow in the footsteps of their predecessors who have gone on to start businesses, become civil servant leaders in Haiti and beyond. HTF Executive Director, Danette Miller says of the graduating classes of 2024 and 2025, “These students and the HELP team have had to endure and face incredible, life-threatening and emotional challenges, and yet, they NEVER stopped. We cannot even imagine what it takes to push forward, never losing sight of the goal and future they dream of.” The goals they have set for themselves are not just to help themselves, but to be change agents for Haiti. They long to lead their country (and their communities) to a more just and equitable society.
Earlier in 2025, we had the opportunity to visit with Vincent virtually. He shared that he believes that the future of Haiti depends on the engagement of HELP graduates and others like them. Instead of hiding from this responsibility, Vincent and his classmates are ready to continue to face challenges head on, knowing that they have power to shape Haiti’s future.
We are incredibly grateful to have played a small role in their education, and stand in awe of their tenacity! We are confident that each HELP graduate has what they need to positively impact their country and our world!
