Amid Haiti’s deepening economic and social crisis, church personnel are working tirelessly to provide education and development opportunities in rural areas where government assistance is virtually nonexistent.

Camillian Father Massimo Miraglio, an Italian missionary and parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the remote mountainous village of Pourcine, has worked in Haiti for over 20 years. He is among those leading the charge, believing that education is a crucial path out of poverty.

Haiti has one of the lowest-ranked education systems in the world, with more than 50% of adults unable to read or write. In rural communities like Pourcine-Pic Makaya, education is even more difficult to access, especially for women and children.

Thanks to the support of Madian Orizzonti ETS, a nonprofit organization of the Camillian religious congregation, a literacy project known as “Alfa” has been providing young people and adults with basic education.

“In mid-February, Alfa teachers participated in a training day on teaching in these schools for adults,” Father Miraglio told Fides. “It was a very enriching experience for everyone, and we hope to organize more sessions soon. It is another small step forward for our community. 150 people have already signed up, and we have 12 teachers involved.”

He emphasized the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty. “Education is a fundamental tool for Pourcine-Pic Makaya to fight poverty. Literacy is key both for individuals, as it expands their development possibilities, and for the local community, by strengthening their resilience and promoting a sustainable development model.”

Father Miraglio also highlighted the severe challenges facing the education system, with many children unable to attend school due to gang violence and poverty. “Around 80% of schools in Haiti are private, and families are sinking deeper into poverty,” he said.

Supporting women through microcredit

Beyond literacy efforts, Father Miraglio is also spearheading a microcredit program that aims to empower women with children in the community.

“It is a program with significant potential impact, but it must be managed with caution,” he said. “The situation in Haiti is difficult everywhere at the moment, but, like our brothers and sisters in Port-au-Prince, we remain firm in our place. And we work.”

Experience in various countries has shown that even small amounts of financial capital can profoundly change the lives of the poor. This microcredit initiative seeks to equip women with the necessary resources to start small businesses and achieve economic stability.

“Its main objectives are to strengthen the self-confidence of the beneficiaries, improve the economic stability of their households, and help them overcome the poverty line,” Father Miraglio said.

Agriculture and sustainability initiatives

As Haiti struggles with food insecurity, the parish also focuses on agricultural projects to improve self-sufficiency.

“We are entering the great planting season for beans and corn, a period of intense work for the community of Pourcine-Pic Makaya,” Father Miraglio said. “I am also preparing part of the parish land for planting in the hope that there will be a good harvest for everyone, God willing. It is important to share the same hopes and work alongside them.”

One of the key initiatives is a coffee production project, which has faced challenges due to heavy rains and logistical issues.

“Reviving coffee cultivation is essential for the Pourcine-Pic Makaya community,” he noted. “In the meantime, the first seedbed is germinating, and I have finally obtained a first batch of small bags for the seedlings. We will soon have to prepare the physical space for the nursery.”

The nursery will be managed by students in grades 4, 5, and 6 of the parish school, guided by an experienced coffee farmer. “From time to time, an agronomist who passes through the area will offer us theoretical training,” Father Miraglio added.

Overcoming obstacles to progress

Despite the progress being made, challenges remain. Transporting supplies to remote areas is difficult, and ongoing instability in the country makes development work precarious.

“Thanks to the support of the humanitarian organization Heks Eper, I should be able to transport the sheets for the roof of the guest house to the bottom of the valley. Then the local people will take them to the village,” Father Miraglio said. “However, the work on the house is progressing slowly despite having greatly simplified the project. There are many difficulties.”

Yet, despite these obstacles, the church’s commitment to education, economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture remains steadfast.

“Our goal is not just to provide aid but to build a stronger future for the people here,” Father Miraglio said. “We are not just teaching people to read and write. We are giving them the tools to build a better life.”

Haiti’s education system is in crisis, ranking 177th out of 186 globally in national education spending. As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti lacks essential government assistance programs. With 78% of the population living on less than $2 a day, private school tuition is out of reach for many. According to The World Bank, only 57% of children enroll in primary school, and just 20% attend secondary school. Illiteracy remains widespread, particularly among adults in rural areas.