ODYSSEYWARE

After devastating events such as the Haitian earthquake and Hurricane Katrina, it becomes difficult to put into words the toll on human life. Both disasters took countless lives and put our world-wide collective aid efforts on display. While the New Orleans area is still struggling to turn the corner, the effects are still fresh for Haitians as they continue to find their loved ones and rebuild their homes

Schools, too, were a victim of this event, leaving the future of Haiti’s economy in tatters as schools were destroyed, and children have gone without lessons for the past several weeks since the earthquake hit. To respond, Paul Vallas, of Philadelphia public school district, is attempting to take his approach to Louisiana (in the aftermath of Katrina) to Haiti to provide the nation with hope and an opportunity for its students. From Education Week:

“‘We benefited from the generosity of others, and we almost feel there’s an obligation for us to the same,” Vallas told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from New Orleans.

To make it happen, Vallas and his crew are reaching out to Teach for America cadets and university students to visit Haiti and set up makeshift classrooms where local students can continue their education. In many ways, Haiti will be getting the best America has to offer of its generosity and of its curriculum and education system. We wish Mr. Vallas the best in this effort.