Recognizing the fundamental role education could play in a society like Haiti has always been at the forefront of our regular ongoing discussions especially after realizing what that country has been through in recent years. In an effort to find a partner that could help make those discussions a reality came the Jacmel Institute of Science and Technology (JIST) founded and directed by Professor Gide Colinet.
Prof. Colinet who has spent a substantial portion of his life here in the US realized early on that his homeland, Haiti, could remarkably benefit from his full teaching experience and research knowledge. Having dedicated most of his time and energy on raising a family and his educational career, he decided rightly during retirement his focus will be mostly on his contribution to his native land. After rounding off a group of instructors to assist him, he decided in launching JIST with the help and support of his family. JIST was located in the southeast side town of Jacmel, a city known for its countless tourism attractions, colorful carnival celebrations and exquisitely glazed shorelines. This school with a science focused curriculum caters mostly to an audience of high school graduates who would like to advance their education but due to lack of financial means and proximity to a ready university prevent them from furthering their education. Thanks to Prof. Colinet’s own cash infusion from the outset the school was able to operate fully with all expenses paid for a number of years while not one of the students bears any financial liability for attending.
Needing outside support, Prof. Colinet at one point approached us for help and assistance. Given our initial goal in backing educational initiatives and Prof. Colinet’s JIST academic institute, together this was a perfect match. After accepting an invitation from us and presenting to us the school in its entirety about its mission, vision, value system, the scope of the curriculum activity, course offering specifics and the student talent pool, we decided to accompany Prof. Colinet in his effort both financially and equipment resources.