Director Conor Bohan - 9/3/23 Update

Dear Friends,

As many of you know from the recent news reports from Haiti, the security situation in Port-au-Prince is rapidly deteriorating, from its already poor state. In the past week, gangs started moving into neighborhoods adjoining the Pacot neighborhood that houses the HELP campus. The police have only been able to provide sporadic resistance so there is little hope that our neighborhood will be spared. To protect our staff and students, HELP has suspended all on-campus operations, closing the HELP offices, student center and dorms. 

Universities are not scheduled to start the 23/24 school year until late September or early October, so this suspension of activities does not affect HELP students’ academic program in the short term.  

Fortuitously, Friday was the final day of freshman orientation for our incoming class of 50 students. We are working with staff, alumni, and friends to find suitable housing for those freshmen who are unable to return home due to gang activity.

Several of you have contacted us to ask about the welfare of staff and students. We appreciate your longstanding support and your concern. HELP’s success to-date has been impossible without you, and we are confident that with your continued support we will get through this tough time together and get back to the business of providing promising students with the skills and desire to work for change in their country, that needs it now more than ever.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions and thanks as always for your enduring support.

-Conor Bohan, HELP Founder & Executive Director