Empowering Youth in Rural Haiti: Establishing a Computer Laboratory and Digital Literacy Training for Education and Livelihood Enhancement in Duchity, Grand’Anse

Abstract

As a result of an oppressive colonial past and contemporary economic and political instability, many Haitians have fled their country and many rural Haitians have left the countryside causing a massive brain drain and stunting socio-economic development. The loss of skilled professionals across various sectors exacerbates developmental challenges for many communities, particularly rural ones. This phenomenon brings with it dire implications for the country\u27s youth, particularly, its rural youth who have been critically underserved. Rural youth have to contend with a shortage of educational facilities, overcrowded classrooms, a lack of qualified teachers, a decrease in the quality of the education they receive, among other obstacles. This proposal has been developed in response to this situation; for youth who do not have the same educational opportunities as youth in bigger cities. This project, based on a needs assessment conducted in the rural village of Duchity, argues for and draws out a plan for a computer laboratory and digital literacy training in the village. Ultimately, this replicable initiative aims to empower rural youth by fostering talent retention so that they may contribute to sustainable community development