The Library in Deschapelles is a lively center of learning, hosting classes, seminars, and gatherings led by guest speakers and community leaders. Each month, multiple educational programs are offered for both children and adults, reflecting the community’s commitment to lifelong learning.
Examples of programs include:
Through these programs, the Library continues to play a vital role in fostering education, empowerment, and connection for the people of Deschapelles.
Thanks to the generous support of Sister Cities Essex Haiti and its donors, two major education initiatives have taken root and continue to thrive:
Big Decisions (Gwo Desizyon) is an empowering education program supported by Sister Cities Essex Haiti to help adolescents make thoughtful, informed choices about relationships and sexual health. Grounded in science and guided by cultural respect, the program encourages young people to delay sexual activity and equips them with accurate information about family planning and reproductive health.
Through ten interactive lessons, trained facilitators lead small groups of about twenty boys and girls in open, age-appropriate discussions about growing up, making choices, and caring for themselves and others. The program fosters confidence, knowledge, and respect — helping young people make healthy decisions now and in the future.
Over the past four years, more than 200 youth in the Deschapelles area have participated. With support from the library staff, Gwo Desizyon is now evolving into a peer-led model, empowering trained youth to guide and inspire their peers. This shift strengthens community leadership and ensures the program’s long-term sustainability.
The Robotics Club introduces youth in Deschapelles to computers, technology, and the exciting world of robotics. Open to boys and girls under 18, the program sparks curiosity, creativity, and teamwork as students learn to design, build, and program robots.
The Robotics program began when several students from Valley Regional High School in Connecticut, along with two parents, visited Deschapelles on a Sister Cities Essex Haiti work trip and shared their passion for robotics. Since then, the program has grown to engage dozens of young people through the Deschapelles Community Library. Over the years, dedicated participants, including graduates of the competition circuit, have become peer mentors, passing on their skills and enthusiasm to the next generation.
The Deschapelles Robotics Club has proudly represented the community in Haiti-wide competitions and even hosted one of the national events with great success and celebration. While travel restrictions have recently paused in-person competitions, the team continues to meet, learn, and innovate. Using existing robotics kits, they’ve built more than 15 different models and are developing new software to launch missions where robots complete a series of programmed tasks – all with a single click!
With continued support, the Robotics Club remains a vibrant space for learning, leadership, and inspiration, helping youth in Deschapelles explore technology and imagine new possibilities for the future.
