At Real Hope for Haiti, we believe education is one of the greatest tools for creating lasting change. Supporting a child or young adult through school or university is not simply about providing financial assistance. It is about investing in a person’s future, encouraging responsibility, and helping develop future leaders who can serve their communities.
Because of this, we have created a careful process to ensure that each student receiving support is committed, prepared, and aligned with the mission’s values. Our process is divided into three main phases.
Phase 1: Application and Evaluation
The first step is getting to know the student: their story, their goals, and their desire to continue their education.
Each applicant completes a school assistance application and participates in an interview process with our staff. We ask questions to better understand their situation, motivation, and plans for the future.
Students are also required to provide:
-A reference letter from their church
-A reference letter from their school
-A reference letter from a parent, family member, or mentor
-Their academic report card or transcripts
After reviewing the application, the student meets with the finance committee. During this conversation, the committee looks at several important areas, including:
-Where the student lives, with priority given to students from Cazale
-Where they plan to study and whether their living situation is safe and stable
-Their motivation for pursuing their education
-Their goals for the next 5–10 years
-Their desire to remain in Haiti after completing their studies
-Their willingness to serve alongside the mission after graduation
-Their ability to work well with others
-Their openness to learning and growth
-Whether their chosen field of study meets a need within the clinic or mission
-Their character, values, responsibility, and ability to handle challenges
If the committee feels the student is a good fit, they move forward to the next phase.
Phase 2: Internship and Integration
Before receiving long-term support, students have the opportunity to become familiar with the mission and the work being done.
Students complete an internship application and spend one month serving within the mission. During this time, they rotate through different areas of the clinic and learn more about the daily work, values, and responsibilities of the organization.
This internship allows both the student and the mission to see how well they work together. At the end of the month, the student is evaluated based on their commitment, attitude, teamwork, and participation.
If everyone agrees to continue, the student moves into the final phase.
Phase 3: Financial Support and Partnership
The final step focuses on preparing for the practical side of education. Students submit a detailed budget showing tuition costs and other school-related expenses.
Together, we create a plan that includes:
-Expected expenses
-Payment schedules
-Financial responsibilities
-A formal school assistance agreement
This agreement outlines the responsibilities of both the mission and the student. It also helps maintain transparency by recording all funds provided and expenses covered.
Continuing Support Requires Commitment
At the end of each school year, students complete an evaluation process. They submit:
-A yearly report about their experience
-Academic results and transcripts
-Activities they participated in
-Their responsibilities and involvement
-How they interacted with their community
-Tuition receipts and expense documentation
Students are often also asked to write a letter to donors sharing how their year went and how the support impacted their lives.
Support is reviewed every year. Assistance is not automatically guaranteed because we want to make sure the program continues to be responsible and effective.
We evaluate:
-Academic progress
-Commitment
-Communication
-Financial responsibility
-Proper use of funds
When students are committed and engaged, this opportunity can change not only their own future but also the future of the communities they will one day serve.
Through education, mentorship, and partnership, we are helping raise up the next generation of leaders in Haiti. We are currently in need of funds to send young people for administrative degrees to help in the office and be the future leaders of RHFH.