Johanne, who had been orphaned in 2016, was completely destitute and had no plans to study when she qualified for a full scholarship from Kindernothilfe. A few years later, the computer scientist is training the next generation of IT specialists.
Johanne (front) and colleagues. "My name is Johanne, I'm 25 years old and I was born in Port-au-Prince into a Christian family of five girls and two boys. We were orphaned at an early age: My father died in the 2010 earthquake and my mother died of cervical cancer in 2015. I am a computer scientist specialising in network technology. I used to live in Solino, a neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince characterised by poverty and crime, but due to the situation in the country, I had to leave the neighbourhood and am currently living provisionally with one of my relatives in Petionville, a relatively safe and prosperous suburb.
Thanks to the Kindernothilfe scholarship, I have completed training in information technology. It also allowed me to take part in additional training courses such as job application training, entrepreneurship and leadership skills. The scholarship was literally worth its weight in gold for me, as it came just at the time when my mother died and we had no money to finance my studies.

As a student at Collège Véréna, I was invited to a meeting with Kindernothilfe in 2016 to present the scholarship. I was incredibly excited about this day, I really wanted to know how to get such a scholarship. 80 sixth form students came to the meeting, but only 15 students were to receive a full scholarship. When I heard that, I was honestly scared. But then I thought: an opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime. And this chance was my chance because it came at exactly the right time.

The application consisted of a test and a motivational interview. One day, when I was at home, one of my classmates called me and told me that my name was on the list of those who had passed. I can hardly describe how happy I was, I was among those who had received a two-year scholarship to study!

I then used the scholarship to study information technology at the very practical Haiti Tec. I am currently teaching there full-time. They chose me because I was one of their best students.

Later, I would like to do my Master's degree to train other young compatriots in the IT sector, set up a training institute for technical professions and thus make my contribution to the development of Haiti."

Maurice, who wrote down the stories of Leonardo and Johanne (and his own) for one, is also one of the first scholarship holders. Growing up in the poor neighbourhood of Delmas 2, he quickly realised that only a good education would enable him to escape violence and poverty. Today, the young economist works for the scholarship programme.
Maurice (right) "My name is Maurice, a 28-year-old economics graduate. I grew up in a family of five in the poor neighbourhood of Delmas 2, where Collège Véréna is located. Our financial situation was not good, but the scholarship improved it because it not only financed my studies, but I also found a well-paid job afterwards and was thus able to support my family.

Like Joanne and Leonardo, I am part of the first cohort of KNH scholarship holders. The entry requirement was the Abitur. I worked very hard to pass this and I was one of the best to pass the entrance exam for the scholarship programme.

You can only get a good job in Haiti with a good education. The scholarship programme was ideal for this. I was also able to improve my life skills through life skills training, which now enables me to stay positive in a neighbourhood like Delmas 2, where violence is rife and young people are exposed to almost nothing but negative influences.

In November 2020, the project manager of the KNH scholarship programme went on maternity leave and I was allowed to stand in for her. I am now her deputy. In this position, I am, among other things, the contact person for the educational institutions that the young people visit and write the reports on the scholarship holders - and their success stories. I really enjoy this work and the meetings with potential scholarship holders.

The scholarship is very important to me, it has enabled me to realise my dream and complete the four-year degree in economics. During these four years, I experienced many problems, above all I often didn't know how to pay for transport, food or copies. The fact that I passed my degree with honours despite everything makes me proud. And it gives me hope. I am now a fully-fledged member of Haitian society and contribute to the state's income by paying taxes and contributions. And above all, the scholarship has protected me from slipping into crime."

Like Johanne and Maurice, Leonardo, an administration specialist, takes a realistic view of his country - and yet he has an urgent desire to use his expertise - and his salary contributions - to help Haiti get back on its feet. The scholarship has given him wings - he owes the solid ground under his feet to his mother and good friends.
Leonardo "I'm Leonardo, 28 years old and I'm studying public administration. I grew up in Delmas 2 and spent almost 25 years there. I've always lived with my single mum. She never made much money, but she always did everything she could to keep me safe from the dangers in our neighbourhood, gangs, drugs, hanging out. My lifeline was school, some friends who were like me and the love I have for my mum. That's what I grew up with, they were my driving force. I never knew my father, but my mum gave me enough love for two. That fills me with pride.

The scholarship is one of the best things that has ever happened to me in my life. It has opened up a world to me in which the most diverse people come together, with their different ideas, perspectives, experiences and backgrounds. This scholarship has shown me that there is a world outside the area I grew up in, where diversity exists in all its forms - without forgetting where I come from and how lucky I am to be able to make something of my life and learn new things. Things that help me to see the world from a different perspective and in a broader and more scientific context. Finally, the scholarship has also shown me that if I put in the right effort, I could always make my contribution to the development of this country, as my studies are dedicated to community development and therefore community development. It is a very political study and has shown me how this country works.

For the future, I want to have the opportunity to fulfil my own needs as well as those of my family and close friends who have always been there for me. By that I don't just mean financial needs. I want to pass on to children what I have learnt and, together with Kindernothilfe, help young people to find their way. As for the rest, I have the same dreams as everyone else: To love and be loved, children, a place where there is peace. Even if Haiti is not the best place to raise a family these days, I believe that one day things can turn in my country's favour.

My greatest wish is to make things happen, to earn an honest living and to lead my country out of the impasse it has been in for generations."