Ecole Nouvelle de Lac Azuei
Quality education against all odds
Despite the extreme insecurity and political and economic challenges facing Haiti, or possibly because of these challenges, 3W is determined to keep Ecole Nouvelle de Lac Azuei (ENLA) operational
3W in Haiti, a bumpy road
As a local school servicing the vulnerable communities around Lac Azuei, ENLA offers a unique opportunity for children to attain an education in a dynamic environment based on the most modern teaching techniques. We are so proud of the quality education that the dedicated ENLA team provides despite the difficulties of daily Haitian life. Given the school’s proven results, 3W has decided to build capacity to include 7th-9th grades. In Haiti, completion of 9th grade is managed by the Ministry of Education and is a significant milestone affording increased employment opportunities. And for those who want to continue to higher education, 3W provides scholarships. The education program not only meets the students’ educational needs, but also ensures two meals a day and access to extracurricular activities ranging from chess to sports, like martial arts and soccer. ENLA even boasts the Haitian National Chess Champion among its student-body!
Following our visit to Haiti just after the tragic earthquake in 2010 which killed over 200,000 people and destroyed the capital city, we concluded that the needed change would have to come from the private sector. 3W was instrumental in bringing the Root Capital agricultural-finance model to Haiti and also invested in aquaculture through Caribbean Harvest. Root Capital failed as there was no meaningful legal recourse for loan defaults. And after 10 years of hard work and over $1.5M invested, we realized that the entrepreneur behind Caribbean Harvest was grossly misrepresenting business results and possibly misappropriating funds. We initiated a court case in 2019, but since then the country has spiraled into chaos and gang violence.
Given that all our efforts had not produced any tangible impact for the Haitians, we completely changed our strategy and now operate a school for +400 children in the most destitute communities around Lake Azuei. The school is a huge success – unlike any school most have seen in the area with modern teaching techniques, art, sports, music and chess clubs – all adapted to the limitations of a very impoverished, rural setting. 3W will continue to fully support this school as part of our lasting commitment to the Haitian people.
Project in numbers
59 Staff Members
providing quality education and daily meals to students
374
Students at ENLA and
42
Scholarship Students
96% pass rate
despite security issues and extreme unrest
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