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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

AAIE Significant for COHP - Children of Haiti Project

By Cynthia Nagrath, TIE Staff Writer
06-Feb-17
AAIE Significant for COHP - Children of Haiti Project


San Francisco - It’s not just learning and networking that takes place at AAIE – there’s a lot of giving going on at this conference too. For the past seven years attendees have given generously to the Children of Haiti Project also known by its acronym, COHP.
COHP Idea born at AAIE
“The very idea of COHP was actually conceived at AAIE during our gathering in Boston in 2010,” said Forrest Broman, former CEO of TIE and founder of COHP. “It was just a month after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January of that year, and we knew we had to do something,” reminisced Broman. With hundreds of international educators gathered at one place, we concluded that the best way to help is to focus on what we know best -- and that’s education.”
Action Taken and School Opens
“Within months we mobilized an effort that involved international schools from around the world making contributions to help get a school established in Port-au-Prince with the mission of educating the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged children affected by the disaster in the area,” explained Broman. In May of 2010, COHP opened its doors to 88 children in dire need of an education and a safe and clean sanctuary in the midst of a devastated city.
Challenges Ahead
“Seven years later we are still going strong,” said Broman, “although it becomes more challenging to raise funds as the disaster recedes from people’s memories and new and more pressing situations arise.”
Frank Anderson, a former international school head and COHP board member, travels back and forth to Haiti a few times a year to provide support and consulting assistance to the school and its dedicated director, Dominique Pierre. Additionally, he supports COHP by attending AAIE and other conferences to raise funds for the little school that is dong big things.
“We rely almost exclusively on donations from the international school community and organizations like The International Educator (TIE) and the Principals Training Center (PTC),” said Anderson. “We hope to sustain the interest and support of the international school community and make sure we come to AAIE to get the message out and maintain awareness of this much deserving charity,” said Anderson.
‘Three years ago we held a silent auction event for COHP at the AAIE conference in Boston and we succeeded in raising $10,000 for the school. Since then it has been more challenging to garner that level of support and attention,” Anderson lamented.
COHP Needs Help
Frank Anderson reminds members of the international school community that the school would not be in existence without them, but it cannot survive without them either. “Consistent and sustained help is needed to keep the school running,” Anderson said. “Please keep COHP in mind when you consider your charitable giving for the coming year, even a little goes a very long way in Haiti,” Anderson advised.
Giving is easy, go to the Children of Haiti Project website and hit the donate button. Your donation is tax deductible and much appreciated!
The Children of Haiti Project (COHP), was established by The International Educator (TIE), and the Principals’ Training Center (PTC), along with a network of international schools and organizations, to serve the educational needs of children displaced after the 2010 earthquake. COHP provides a comprehensive educational program in accordance with the Haitian Ministry of Education, a literacy program for older part time students, and a vocational program for the parents and family members of COHP students. COHP also provides nutrition and medical care for all students in the program.




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