We are SHAPING HAITI'S YOUTH, INC., a not-for-profit organization based out of Atlanta, Georgia USA, and founded in 2011.
We understand that considering the current level of poverty and lack of industrialization in Haiti, opportunity lies in the long-term establishment of sustainable infrastructures that will create jobs and the kind of wealth that every human being deserves. However, the future maintenance of these very valuable infrastructures in Haiti will depend on those who have the knowledge and the resources to shoulder that very critical responsibility. In other words, the Haitian youth of today are the sentinels of its future.
How can such lofty goals be reached? Indeed, the philosophy of providing resources for the youth of Haiti must be deconstructed into three key components:
• Educational Initiatives
• Youth Social Programs
• Sports Development
Our Mission Statement
SHY's mission is to develop and maintain in Haiti infrastructures and programs that will benefit the youth of the country. More specifically, SHY aims to implement programs within the three broad areas of educational initiatives, youth social programs and sports development. Finally, SHY intends to focus its efforts in and around the southwestern Haitian city of Jeremie. Jeremie (Jeremi in Kreyol) is the capital city of the department of Grand'Anse, in the south west of Haiti, with a population of about 31,000 (2003 census).
Our Directors
The current SHY Board of DIrectors has been working tirelessly to advance it various programs. The Board is currently comprised of the following individuals:
Dr. Raymond Rene, President (West Palm Beach, FL)
Mr. Alix Mathol, Vice-President (West Palm Beach, FL)
Mr. Liautaud Ambroise, Secretary/Treasurer (West Palm Beach, FL)
Our Focus: Jeremie, Haiti
Jeremie (Jeremi in Kreyol) is the capital city of the department of Grand'Anse, in the south west of Haiti, with a population of about 31,000 (2003 census). Although it is almost isolated from the rest of the country, Jeremie benefits from having one of the largest rivers in Haiti, the Grande-Anse River, flowing near the city. The city has an airport, Jeremie Airport (IATA Code: JEE, ICAO Code: MTJE). Today, Jeremie is the state capital residing the furthest from the now dangerous fault lines underneath the Haitian land surface.
Our Philosophy & Strategy
As outlined in our mission statement, our philosophy at SHY is to implement in maintain infrastructures in educational initiatives, youth social programs and sports development. In a first step, educational initiatives begin with the building of key infrastructures that will provide the Haitian youth with literary resources comparable to that of developing nations. Social programs, mainly in the arts, will give them an opportunity to broaden their horizons. Finally, a sustainable sports culture in major international sports and minor Olympic sports will give all youth the chance to experience athletic success while fostering team spirit and a sense of community. The long-term success of these programs depends strongly on determining a location in Haiti that is far removed from political hotbeds and that holds the basic entry/exit infrastructures (i.e., ports and airports). Based on these criteria, no other city comes close to Jeremie, Haiti and as such SHY intends to make the southwestern city the center of its efforts.
