The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Colombian singer Shakira’s Barefoot Foundation say they will support the Haitian government’s efforts to rebuild a historic public school in the capital’s downtown area.
The Elie Dubois school, located in Port-au-Prince, suffered heavy damage from last year’s earthquake. Founded in 1913, it has provided secondary education and vocational training to generations of young Haitian women, under the guidance of the Daughters of Mary, a Catholic order.
The IDB and the foundation on Thursday announced contributions totalling US$800 000 during a ceremony held in the school’s courtyard and attended by Haitian government officials, international community guests, teachers and students.
“Education is critical for Haiti’s future,” said IDB president Luis Alberto Moreno.
“Today, we are here not only to support the rebuilding of a school, but to express our support for Haiti’s efforts to transform its education system.”Together with several donor countries and international organizations, the IDB is supporting Haiti’s ambitious reform to expand access to free and quality education.
“I am sure that the only thing that will change the course of Latin America and the Caribbean’s destiny is for governments to make it a priority to invest in quality education for all boys and girls, from the moment they are born and forever,” said Shakira.
