School is Open!

This announcement has felt like years in the making, with the last year causing so much uncertainty in how we would be able to educate Haiti’s youth.


After more than a year of constant challenges that we had to overcome to continue to educate Haiti’s youth, I am so proud to announce that The New Victorian School has re-opened the doors and we are well into the third week of school.


I have never been one to back down from a challenge, but after facing a yo-yo effect of continual school closures as a result of last year’s political unrest and having to transition to online learning for the majority of this year as a result of COVID, it feels incredible to get back to doing what I love the most—emboldening the futures of Haiti’s youth through the power of music and knowledge.


It is important in times like these to reflect upon the hurdles we have overcome to truly enjoy pivotal moments like these. With the power of One Movement for Haiti, here are just a few of the obstacles we continue to overcome:

  • Political instability: we lost two vital months last year from our school’s program as a result of the political instability in Haiti. And now we have a monumental election coming up in February 2021.
  • COVID difficulties: The transition to online ZOOM classes during COVID wasn’t easy, as many of our students do not have access to the internet, let alone electricity.
  • Economic crisis: The Haitian dollar (gourde) has dropped in nearly half its value, plummeting from 180 gourdes per dollar to now 60 gourdes per dollar.

But despite the uncertainty we are facing, there is so much to be thankful for. The main one being, that thanks to Haiti not being severely hit by COVID our school doors are able to be re-opened and The New Victorian School is back in full swing!

While I am very grateful for this blessing when so many schools around the world—including those in America—remain shut, the words of my father keep me focused on doing all I can in this window of opportunity.

“Do what you can today, because tomorrow is never promised.”

Romel Joseph-The New Victorian School Founder

As parents and teachers, we want all children to have big dreams and enjoy their childhood. So, with no school supplies, no school books and inadequate space to accommodate all our students with enhanced COVID precautions, I re-opened The New Victorian School with extended school hours.

While the present is full of uncertainty, I am approaching the present with a steadfast motivation to ensure I can do all I can to keep the power of music and education in full force for our students.

With our staff and parents onboard, it was incredible to see our students be re-immersed into our music program, which has been on hold since March 2020. Despite the seven-month hiatus from our music classroom, the students are impressing all of us teachers everyday with their motivation and ability to absorb all of the lessons and instruction. It is clear that they have come back with an elevated appreciation for the power that their instruments bring into their lives.

For the remainder of the year, we are taking it one day at a time and doing everything we can to keep the doors of The New Victorian School open. But we need your help.

We are working hard to source enough school supplies, library books, musical instruments, holiday decorations and gifts to create an inspiring learning environment and continue the high-quality programs my father Romel first started.

A small donation can go a long way in being able to provide a stable educational environment for our students. Here are some examples of just how far a donation can go:

  • $42 = the teaching costs for two music classes
  • $60 = school supplies for one elementary school teacher
  • $100 = new strings + rosin for our string program
  • $150 = arts & crafts supplies for one preschool class
  • $160 = 16” viola for a 6th grader

Going into the end of the year serves as a great reminder for myself of all that there is to truly be grateful for. This year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas will be full of extra gratitude—for my team of teachers, supportive parents, motivated students and kind donors from near and afar.

While I worry about the essentials needed to continue The New Victorian School for our students, my biggest fear is around their mental well-being. They have endured so much—from the dangers of Haiti’s political instability and threat of safety at school to the isolation during quarantine from COVID, it is the power of our community that keeps me going.

I am continually amazed that the power of one founder—my father Romel Joseph—has transformed into a movement that can change children’s lives.

That is why I’ll never give up on this dream, no matter what.

Join Our Mail List For More Ways to Help!