Dr. Delicier Dieuseul

Dr. Helene Clervius

          For those students who pass the Philo Exam (required state exam for university entry), we offer the opportunity to attend a university in Port-au-Prince.  Vaudy Jean Baptiste, Director of our program, meets with each eligible student to help them determine their course of study and the best university to achieve their goal.  Students do not attend a ‘liberal arts’ program, but rather enter schools with a decided focus and major and begin to work on that course of study immediately.  Each university specializes in particular areas, and most of bachelor degree programs are 5 years in length. 

          When we first offered university scholarships in 2006, we granted tuition funds only.  This limited scholarship proved problematic, as students were unable to pay for a room (approximately $750 – $1,000 a year) and food ($1,000-$1,500 annually).  We now provide full tuition support plus $1250 toward their room and board.  Students try to share a room in order to cut the expenses in half.  Since the earthquake, students are finding it more difficult to secure a room to rent.  Several were living in unsafe tent cities, and we assisted in finding a more secure dwelling place.  We are exploring other housing options for the future. 

           Last year, we graduated two students with a bachelor degree in nursing.  Both of these students are now employed by hospitals.  This year, three of our university students graduated – Dianie Ezekiel, secretary, and two with medical degrees, Hélène Clervius and Delicier Dieseul. Hélène graduated at the top of her class from Quisqueya University.  She was offered a scholarship to study neurology for the summer at the Hôpital Nord in Amien, France.   Hélène and Delicier will be interns at a hospital in Cap Haitian for this year.  In 2012, we are expected to graduate 8 more university students.   Vaudy Jean Baptiste, Director of CFHE, and Stanley Joseph, Chairman of the Board (Haiti) will work with the students to try to assist them in gaining employment after graduation