The Harvey School

Our mission at Lekol Harvey Christian School is to provide a safe, enriched learning environment where children develop intellectually, socially, spiritually and civically engaged through a variety of instructional and learning approaches taught by dedicated and skilled teaching professionals.

Lekol Harvey (The Harvey School - our Haitian staff insisted the school be named after it’s founders) first opened its doors in October 2014 with 91 children (51 from our local community). We initially hired seven certified Haitian teachers to ensure that school is taught in Haitian Creole. Though most children in Haiti speak Haitian Creole, the traditional language taught in schools has always been French. Research shows that children learn best in the languages they speak fluently. So we selected the Matenwa Methodology for our new school. This means that we teach in native tongue and introduce French and English as foreign languages in 4th grade. In addition to typical primary school curriculum, the Bible, agriculture, computer literacy and STEM are all taught to each student.

Each day, school begins with a morning assembly, then our children get a hot breakfast – for many, their only meal of the day before proceeding with academic instruction. We are preparing our students to be scholars that will impact their community for generations to come. We now maintain a maximum enrollment capacity of 150 and run summer camp that features interesting programs for our students and their parents. Our innovative primary school is quickly becoming recognized as a model school.

STEM at Lekol Harvey

HHA has partnered with Let's Go Boys and Girls of Baltimore, MD. to bring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to Lekol Harvey. This program of scientific experiments and concepts encourages kids to become technology leaders of tomorrow. Our kids and teachers alike absolutely love this program and have so much fun doing the hands on activities and learning science and engineering themes and vocabulary. It is wonderful to see the students think critically, ask questions and be completely engaged during each session. With your continued support, we look forward to adding robotics as well as the math enrichment programs in the future. We know that encouraging the student's natural curiosity with STEM skills will help them with all their school work as well as give them the knowledge and confidence they will need to be the future leaders of Haiti.

Vocational Program

Sewing is a valuable, always in-demand skill, that can lift Haitians out of poverty. Since all of the school uniforms in Haiti are handmade, this provides a good source of income for those with this specialized skill. In addition to school uniforms, there is demand for a variety of everyday and special occasion clothes.

We are focused on creating opportunity and investing in people in our village and community. Our sewing program provides students with the practical skills they need to find and participate in meaningful work to support themselves and their families. Learning to sew can be the beginning of a more productive life. The money they make can be used to feed their families, send their children to school, pay for medical treatment, provide safe homes for their families, and so much more.

This ministry is changing lives in our community. It’s giving ladies who are often abused/mistreated a chance to support their families and stand on their own.

We believe that partnering with established Christian organizations in Haiti, and hiring local Haitians to teach the classes, is the best, and most cost-effective method of creating and sustaining a valuable sewing program.

"When people seek to fulfill their callings by glorifying God in their work, praising Him for their gifts and abilities, and seeing both their efforts and its products as an offering, then work is an act of worship," Steve Corbett, author of "When Helping Hurts."

We also began a computer program learning center to help our young people, house parents and teachers gain proficiency in typing, Microsoft office, and internet research. Students take classes weekly with a certified and experienced Haitian instructor and IT professional. Our classes help increase students future employability by providing them certifications in computer proficiency and Microsoft products. This set of skills and knowledge will not only allow our children to succeed in academic and occupational settings, but it will allow them to flourish in all aspects of their lives.