Tek4Kids

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  • Tek4Kids Celebrates International Women’s Day

    Tek4Kids Celebrates International Women’s Day

    Every year, March 8th is honored as International Women’s Day (IWD) around the world. Our team in Haiti is celebrating the month of March as women’s month in conjunction with IWD and using its theme, Choose to Challenge, to motivate and encourage one another.

    Marichka Milord initiated and coordinated the celebration of IWD to highlight the achievements and contributions of women working with Tek4Kids and our partner organizations. The month-long emphasis supports diversity, equality and inclusion and focuses on women’s contributions in the STEM field. As part of the campaign, Milord produced videos featuring two accomplished women in our organization, Laura Desmangles and Dana Cazeau.

    Milord also organized a conference held on March 8th at the Jeremie Enterprise and Technology (JET) center, which included round-table discussions about the role of women in society and the challenges and injustices that women in Haiti face. Milord, along with St. Francis School of Technology teachers Delice Dorvil and Rony Jean Baptiste, moderated the discussions.

    Both moderators and participants asserted that women in Haitian are often seen as the ones responsible for domestic tasks, while men are breadwinners and are given more educational and career opportunities. Participants maintained that women should hold other important roles in society, as they are quite capable of adding value to society in more ways than taking care of their household.

    Participants also considered the importance of creating an inclusive society where everyone’s contributions are valued, regardless of gender. This requires a shift in thinking and becoming aware of deep-rooted biases and conditioning. Seeing each gender as equal leads to providing equal opportunities for them. In addition, participants stressed that change begins at home, so shaping children’s perception of gender is vital.

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  • Supplying 676,000 Gallons of Purified Water, Tek4Kids Completes Project as Schools Reopen in Haiti

    Supplying 676,000 Gallons of Purified Water, Tek4Kids Completes Project as Schools Reopen in Haiti

    As the Covid-19 pandemic emerged in the United Sates and Haiti in late March, Tek4Kids responded immediately by providing free, purified water for hand washing and drinking in the community of Jeremie, Haiti using six distribution points, its partner schools that were forced to close due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    Four months and thousands of dollars later, Tek4Kids has wrapped up its water distribution project. Since its partner schools recently reopened, Tek4Kids could not continue using the schools’ facilities, space and infrastructure for water distribution, but resumed its primary mission to provide technology education for more than 2,000 students in Jeremie.

    From April 1 through August 7, Tek4Kids purified and distributed 676,000 gallons of free water to the residents of Jeremie. Recording nearly 156,000 visits to its distribution points, Tek4Kids purchased 315 truckloads of water to purify using its infrastructure already in place, which employs a chlorination system. Here’s how Tek4Kids’ water purification systems work. More than 30 Tek4Kids staff members managed the water distribution project.

    Since Tek4Kids did not charge residents for the water, its expenses were significant. If you would like to help us continue our mission to bridge the poverty gap and provide hope for a brighter future for students in Haiti through education and technology, please donate here.

  • Tek4Kids Fall Virtual Tech Summit

    Tek4Kids Fall Virtual Tech Summit

    The Tek4Kids Fall Virtual Tech Summit takes place on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 from 12:00-12:45 pm. Learn how Tek4Kids uses education and technology to change students’ lives in Haiti. The summit will explore new possibilities for learning and invite your ideas for improving education, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The free event will live stream presentations, panel discussions and interviews with leaders engaging the theme: The Art of Possible.

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    Guest Speakers

    Margarett Lubin, Country Director J/P Haitian Relief Organization, CORE – Community Organized Relief Effort
    William ‘Skip’ Hahnert, Dean, School of Information Technology, Ivy Tech Community College


    Event Agenda

    • The Story of Tek4Kids: Gary Boice, Tek4Kids Founder and Board Chair
    • Women in Tech: Maryse King, Tek4Kids Country Director (Haiti) 2017-18 and current volunteer; Michelle Boice, Tek4Kids volunteer
    • Personal Stories from Haiti: Daphna Jean-Pierre and William Philippe
    • Guest Speakers: Margarett Lubin and Skip Hahnert
    • Open collaboration and questions
  • As Coronavirus Cases Increase in Haiti, Tek4Kids Continues Its Life-Saving Efforts

    As Coronavirus Cases Increase in Haiti, Tek4Kids Continues Its Life-Saving Efforts

    The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Haiti has risen to 456 as of May 18, with more than 100 cases reported in the previous 24 hours. In its continuing efforts to stop the spread of the virus in the community of Jeremie, Haiti, Tek4Kids has surpassed the 230,000 gallon mark in total number of gallons dispensed since the pandemic began. The free water for residents is purified at six partner school locations and distributed by 32 Haitian Tek4Kids staff members.

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    The Pan American Health Organization is warning of an impending humanitarian crisis in Haiti due to the pandemic. Since many Haitians lack access to clean water for handwashing and drinking, Tek4Kids ramped up its efforts to distribute this vital resource free of charge and plans to continue doing so for the foreseeable future despite mounting costs.

    The actual number of coronavirus cases in Haiti may be significantly higher than 456, but testing is limited. Health officials are also concerned that Haiti will be unable to provide enough personal protection equipment for medical staff or oxygen for those with severe cases of covid-19. Economic and political factors are also contributing to the crisis in Haiti.

    If you would like to help Tek4Kids continue its life-saving work to distribute clean water, please consider donating here. Thank you!

  • Tek4Kids Distributes 676,000 Gallons of Clean Water in Pandemic Response Efforts

    Tek4Kids Distributes 676,000 Gallons of Clean Water in Pandemic Response Efforts

    An update from Gary Boice, Tek4Kids Founder:

    Tek4Kids responded to the coronavirus pandemic in Haiti by providing purified water to the residents of Jérémie, Haiti at no cost. Tek4Kids redirected 32 staff members and provided 676,000 gallons of purified water from 6 locations around Jérémie the first of 2020.

    Because school is not in session, we are utilizing Tek4Kids’ six partner school water purification systems located in Jeremie as distribution points where people can come for purified water. Most people in the community do not have access to clean water for drinking and hand-washing, so this is an essential step in stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

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    In addition to the important work Tek4Kids is doing, we have partnered with several other groups in the community to extend our reach. Hopestart International is working to provide 5000 sanitation stations (buckets with spigots and other handwashing necessities) to the community. You can find out more here: https://bit.ly/STOPTHESPREAD

    Tek4Kids has teams of four at each partner school location, plus one team purifying water and one management team, for a total of 32 Tek4Kids staff members working on this project. They purify and distribute the water six days per week.

    Our goal in all these efforts with purified water is to minimize the threat of the coronavirus to the people of Jeremie in hopes they can weather this storm as they have so often in the past.

    Tek4Kids staff in Haiti produced this video highlighting our efforts.

    If you’d like to help Tek4Kids continue its efforts in responding to the pandemic in Haiti, please click here: www.tek4kids.org/donate/. Thank you!!

  • Tek4Kids Responds to the Coronavirus Pandemic in Haiti

    Tek4Kids Responds to the Coronavirus Pandemic in Haiti

    An update from Dustin Klink, Tek4Kids project manager in Jeremie, Haiti:

    The coronavirus pandemic has impacted the world on so many different levels. We have no idea what the ultimate impact will be in Haiti, but we believe clean water will help reduce the risk to many people. The Tek4Kids water distribution project is going to save lives here in this community and help flatten the curve in Haiti.

    Since school is not in session, we are utilizing Tek4Kids’ six partner school water purification systems located in Jeremie as distribution points where people can come for purified water. Most people in the community do not have access to clean water for drinking and handwashing and Tek4Kids has stepped up to provide this resource at no cost to residents. We also provide diesel fuel to run our generators to produce the clean water.

    I had the opportunity to lead a great team of 32 Tek4Kids staff members to implement this life-saving effort. Without their continuing hard work, this project would not be possible.

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    Getting ready to distribute clean water to the community took many steps and a coordinated effort to get everything in place. Many calculations were done to insure the locations were prepared, enough water was in place, water trucks were arranged to refill them and delivery stations were set up. We have teams of four at each location, plus one team purifying water and one management team. Each location is unique and attracts different numbers of people.

    At each of our distribution sites, we are following the Haitian government’s COVID-19 mandates: we cannot have more than ten people inside the gates at any time and we must maintain distance between each person in line.

    I’m proud of our team and grateful to have had the opportunity to coordinate this project to serve our community. It was a privilege to lead an awesome group of people who brought different skill sets together to achieve our goal of providing clean water to the community of Jeremie to help promote better health practices during the pandemic.

  • Preparing for the Covid-19 Pandemic in Haiti

    Preparing for the Covid-19 Pandemic in Haiti

    Along with partners around the globe, Tek4Kids observed World Water Day on March 22nd amidst the growing covid-19 pandemic. The day highlights the importance of fresh, clean water and is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

    Tek4Kids is keenly aware of the importance of clean water during the current crisis. One of the primary ways to combat the spread of the virus is handwashing and not touching our faces with unwashed hands. But what about those with no access to purified water to wash their hands? What if there is no clean water to drink or to use for bathing? Certainly, Haiti’s population is more vulnerable and more likely to contract the virus and spread it without access to clean water.

    Recognizing the importance of distributing clean water in Jeremie, Haiti during the pandemic, Tek4Kids founder Gary Boice and his son, Michael, helped prepare for the crisis by setting up six water purification distribution centers that will provide purified water to many thousands of Jeremie residents. They hope this will significantly slow the spread of the virus. Having distributed thousands of gallons of clean water following Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Tek4Kids is well prepared to assist in this emergency.

    Tek4Kids has been in Jeremie since 2011 and works with more than 2,000 students in our partner schools by supporting them with purified water and education via laptops, iPads and smartboards. Tek4Kids also opened a three year technical school (St. Francis School of Technology) in 2015. Due to the pandemic, the government has closed schools nationwide, so Tek4Kids is now setting up its facilities to provide water to the Jeremie community. We currently have nearly 100,000 gallons of clean water ready to go and can purify 15,000-20,000 gallons per day afterwards (as long as water trucks are operating).

    The covid-19 virus has not yet come to Jeremie. Tek4Kids has been working with other organizations such as the Haitian Health Foundation to provide training and information to the community before the virus arrives. For more information about our work in Jeremie, Haiti and to donate to Tek4Kids, visit our website at www.tek4kids.org.

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  • St. Francis School of Technology Graduates Its Second Class!

    St. Francis School of Technology Graduates Its Second Class!

    St. Francis School of Technology (SFST) is a technical school located in Jeremie, Haiti operating on a three year cycle. Students have the opportunity graduate with a diploma once they complete the cycle. During their time at SFST, students may also have internship opportunities. SFST is fortunate to have many competent teachers who are recognized nationally and internationally, as well as having the latest materials and technology for students’ learning.

    On July 13, 2019, SFST celebrated its second graduating class, which was named after William Philippe. The class chose this name because Philippe directed SFST for three years and is a very qualified teacher. The students are truly grateful for Philippe’s dedication and expertise at SFST. As its goal, the 2016-2019 class chose the following: “Work is the key to success.” Graduates do not believe in luck and chance, but rather in the work and efforts they have made during their studies at SFST.

    This year’s graduation celebrant was Mgr. Marc Arthur Emille, who greatly demonstrates his love for SFST and is always delighted to celebrate our school graduations. His meditation blessed the class and urged them to continue in their studies and in the professional careers that await them.

    Gary and Cathy Boice are the founders of SFST. The graduates appreciate the Boice’s dedication and love for them, as they leave their home country to help students receive their education. In recognition of Gary and Cathy, the class created a song for them: Thank you, thank you, thank you TEK4KIDS; thank you, Mr. Gary Boice and his family.

    The 19 graduating students wore blue and gold and were accompanied by a choir for the ceremony. The top student of this graduating class was Laguerre Guelson, who averaged 87.91. Jean Widner was the second laureate with a general average of 82.24. Francky Civil was third with a general average of 81.97. About 275 people attended the graduation ceremony, including parents, family members, and friends of the graduates and the staff of SFST.

    “Work is the key to success.”

    — by Elisabeth Dauphin, Accountant and SFST Graduation Coordinator

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  • 2019 Golf Scramble Thank You

    2019 Golf Scramble Thank You

    On behalf of Tek4Kids, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all golfers, sponsors, in-kind donors and volunteers who supported the 7th Annual Golf Scramble for Haiti which was held on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at Covered Bridge Golf Club.

    Thank you to our awesome volunteers who generously donated their time to another great golf outing!

    A special thanks to our Birdie Sponsors – Michelle Boice, Financial Architects,Inc., and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management for their continued and generous support! A very big Thank You to Penn Station East Coast Subs for donating lunch to our golfers, staff and volunteers!

    We would also like to recognize and thank our hole sponsors for their support: Accredited Wealth Management, CISCO, Commonwealth Bank & Trust Co., Elite Heating & AC, Encore Technologies, Jerry Mudd Consulting, New Albany Heating & Air Conditioning, Samtec, Trace3, Your Key Solutions – Angela Bauer Armes & Rebecca Potter.

    This special event raises awareness of the needs of school children in Haiti and support of our ongoing projects with our partner schools in Jeremie, and our three-year St. Francis School of Technology (SFST.) These projects include: providing reliable electricity to our nine partner schools, 10,000 gallons of purified water per week, 400 laptops and iPads for schools and supporting over 2,000 students; and our technology school St. Francis School of Technology. The students at SFST have been trained in networking, Microsoft Server, programming, database, web design, and other areas of study including English. In 2019, Tek4Kids Haiti offices and SFST moved into our new facility with 8 classrooms/labs, office space and internet cafe (for staff and students.) The extra space will allow us to expand our curriculum and outreach to the community. Tek4Kids reputation has grown through the years as well. Our partner schools’ enrollment has increased dramatically and our technology school only accepted 24 students out of the 150+ applicants for the 2019-20 school year. As always,100% of the funds donated/raised directly support our projects.

    Please keep all of the above donors and sponsors in mind when looking for products or services; their support is integral in making our event a success!

    Thank you to Covered Bridge Golf Club staff for their support throughout the scramble.

    We are truly grateful for your support and look forward to next year’s golf outing in September, 2020. We hope to see you there!

    Please visit our website www.tek4kids.org for information on our projects and how you can help.

    Gary and Cathy Boice
    Tek4Kids Founders

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  • Tek4Kids Students Shine in Robotics Class

    Tek4Kids Students Shine in Robotics Class

    Nearly 50 students in Jeremie, Haiti recently had the opportunity to take part in a hands-on Lego robotics class sponsored by Expo Science Haiti. The students ranged in age from 10-14 and were invited to attend from five Tek4Kids partner schools: St. John Bosco, St. Therese Montessori, Bro. Paulin, St. John the Evangelist and St. Louis High School.

    The event was coordinated by Raygine Francois, Founder and Executive Director at Haiti STEM Alliance, and held at the new Jeremie Enterprise and Technology (JET) center. Graduates of the St. Francis School of Technology (SFST) – Laguerre Guelson, Pierre Jean Widner, Leon Roberto and Pierre Wesley – worked on the project in advance and were on hand to help guide the students during the class.

    The goal of the robotics class was for students to learn to assemble, program and operate a small Lego robot. Teams of 2 or 3 students were each given the Lego kit, which contained hundreds of pieces. Students used tablets to follow the instructions for assembling the robot and once assembled, used them to sync, program and operate it.

    Most of these students already had experience using iPads, smartboards and laptops as a result of Tek4Kids collaboration with partner schools in Jeremie. Nearly all 20 teams were able to complete the robot project successfully! We look forward to future opportunities to participate in robotic challenge competitions and hope to represent Jeremie well.

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  • SFST Receives Significant Certification

    SFST Receives Significant Certification

    Our technology school in Jeremie, Haiti, the St. Francis School of Technology (SFST) recently received its certification from the National Institute of Vocational Training (INFP). Created by presidential decree in 1973 and later (in 1983) entrusted with managing vocational schools, INFP’s mission is to develop and organize permanent vocational training programs and coordinate various means of such training in Haiti.

    INFP certification is required to operate a vocational school in Haiti and mandated by the Minister of National Education. SFST can now participate in Haiti’s official examinations and persons who graduate from a school with this certification are considered highly qualified and eligible for employment in their chosen field.

    In addition to the recognition for students, the certification sends a positive signal to the community that SFST meets all the quality, excellence and administrative standards required to be certified. The diplomas SFST confers will carry both an exceptional reputation and the official signature of Haiti. The certification will also allow some educational partnerships between the US and Haiti and make it possible to prepare duty-free applications for importing technology materials. The designation could lead to funding from both US non-governmental organizations and Haiti’s government, which supports the education sector.

    Normally, the INFP certification process can take anywhere from five to eight years. But thanks to a great team effort from Gary Boice, William Philippe and Michelet Jerome, SFST is now certified after only four years in existence! Jerome followed up on Gary and Philippe’s initial work toward certification by travelling to Port-au-Prince several times to meet with INFP officials and its director, Maguy Durce’.

    SFST offers a three-year intensive program of study in areas such as database, networking, programming and Microsoft Server training. English is also part of its curriculum. With its new classrooms, lab space and this certification, the stage is now set for St. Francis School of Technology to become one of the premier technology schools in Haiti!

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