Anis Zunuzi School Background

The Anis Zunuzi school and the land on which it is located was a gift from a Belgium family to the people of Haiti. The goal was to establish a school for the poor, providing them with an affordable basic education and trade.

The school opened its doors in October 1980. It included kindergarten and elementary classes. Later it added technical courses including iron work, carpentry and typing as well as secondary classes. Presently the school offers pre-kindergarten through 10th grade, however, it no longer offers vocational courses. Extracurricular courses include English classes for adults in the afternoons.

At the time of opening the students paid the equivalent of $2 US. The area was definitely rural with no public transportation, electricity, nor telephones. With the completion of the school, electricity came to the area. Many years later, almost one decade after its opening, the telephone was installed.

The school follows the National curriculum fairly closely but offers moral education at all levels as well as English. Teacher training has been a part of Anis Zunuzi's schedule for the past 15 years. However, with the turnover in staff there are no teachers that have been here longer than five, and most only one or two, years. This requires a constant assessment of needs and further instruction to fill the gaps.

The area has changed considerably with Port-au-Prince coming closer, constant construction of homes, and commercial enterprises. The young people refuse to work the land and look to friends and family abroad to sustain them. This dependency creates a terrible lack of motivation and apathy which plagues the students and inhibits their performance.

It costs the school $30 per month to educate one child. The school charter stipulates that students attend the school free of charge, but so far it has been financially impossible for the school to do so. The school, therefore, has charged $10 per month per child, although for many even this amount is not affordable.

The Anis Zunuzi is also responsible for two satellite schools in Guerot and Pont Benoit, each serving 50 and 60 students, respectively. Teacher training in these schools is absolutely necessary and requires the Directors to travel to these provinces regularly to insure that the schools are run properly. The cost of education per child at these schools is also $30 per month, but the students are even less likely to contribute a portion of this cost.

Educational Goals

• Students are recognized for their good character.
• Students know who they are and why they exist.
• Students can analyze, reflect and resolve problems.
• Students can help themselves, others and their community.
• Students can express themselves well both in Creole and French.
• Students will become educators, or community development agents.
• Students will excel academically as well as spiritually.

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