Camara Education to open education centre in Haiti

12 Sep 2013

(Left to right) Ailish O'Reilly, project manager of Camara Haiti; Marie Carmelle Lafontant, founder of CHREPROF; and John Fitzsimons, CEO of Camara Education, in Port au Prince, Haiti

Social enterprise Camara Education is setting up shop in Port au Prince, Haiti, to improve students’ quality of education and provide them with digital literacy skills.

With the new education centre, Camara Education will also aim to develop partnerships with local schools, community groups and other educational institutes to establish e-learning centres and deliver teacher training.

“We have all been moved by Haiti and the resilience shown by the people is truly remarkable. The demand for education is formidable and the enthusiasm of our partners for the Camara offering exceeds all of our expectations,” said John Fitzsimons, CEO of Camara Education.

Marie Carmelle Lafontant, founder of CHREPROF and an advocate for Haitian women, said a Camara e-learning centre means girls in the region will gain practical computer skills and enhance their chances of getting jobs.

Camara Education, which is based in Dublin, refurbishes computers for disadvantaged schools in Ireland, East Africa and the Caribbean.

The teacher training in Haiti will ensure the equipment is used to its full potential and students develop ICT skills.

Camara Education decided to open an education hub in Haiti based on the success of its pilot projects with 12 women’s centres throughout the country.

Women Invent Tomorrow is Silicon Republic’s year-long campaign to champion the role of women in science, technology,engineering and maths

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com