Haiti’s national sovereignty, often under external influence, remains fragile. Corruption has weakened key institutions, leaving much of the population to suffer. This situation has created deep distrust within Haitian society, making communal life increasingly difficult. More than 30% of the population lives in extreme poverty, surviving on less than a dollar per day due to unemployment, a lack of investment, and over two centuries of failed governance. In recent years, particularly in metropolitan areas, insecurity linked to widespread poverty has placed an even greater burden on the people.

EDUCATION

For many, education remains an unattainable dream. Access to schooling, vocational training, or university education is severely limited, leaving young people dependent on parents who often lack the means to support them. In impoverished neighborhoods, the most vulnerable struggle to maintain their dignity and see little hope for the future. Even those who complete conventional education find few opportunities to advance. The educational system, disconnected from daily realities, often exacerbates inequalities and fosters discrimination rather than instilling values. A deep and urgent reform is needed to equip young Haitians with the skills to rebuild their country with dignity.

CULTURE

Haitian culture, rich in collective values, has been shaken by widespread and uncontrolled assimilation. Young people, caught between African traditions, French heritage, and North American influences, experience an identity crisis, further distorted by media narratives. This cultural mosaic has led some to reject their national identity—traditional practices, particularly voodoo, are often associated with underdevelopment, while French culture is perceived as a marker of progress, at the expense of Haiti’s authentic heritage.

RELIGION

Regarding religious practices, Haiti exhibits significant religious pluralism, with Catholicism accounting for 55% of the population and Protestantism around 40%, according to some surveys. At the same time, voodoo remains deeply embedded in Haitian culture and daily life, often coexisting with Christianity. As a popular syncretic religion, it presents a significant challenge for pastoral work, as it strongly influences Haitian psychology and serves as a reference framework for addressing various life issues. The Catholic Church, present even in Haiti’s most remote areas, strives to bring hope through education, healthcare, and religious and social initiatives, filling gaps left by a state largely concentrated in Port-au-Prince and often absent elsewhere.

SALESIAN PRESENCE

Amidst these challenges, the Salesians of Don Bosco, who have been in Haiti since 1936, focus their efforts on education, vocational training, and youth support—particularly for the most disadvantaged—following the spirit of their founder, St. John Bosco.

With three lay brothers, 52 priests, and one emeritus bishop, the Salesian Vice-Province of Haiti, Blessed Philip Rinaldi (HAI), serves Haitian youth through 11 houses (or presences) located in the following geographical regions: South (1), West (7), Artibonite (1), North (1), and North-East (1).

The Salesians manage primary and secondary schools, vocational training centers, and youth centers that provide both spiritual and recreational activities. Through social projects such as Lakou/Lakay and TIMKATEC ("Timoun k'ap teke chans" = Children who try their luck to survive), they help street children learn a trade, reunite with their families when possible, and reintegrate into society. In collaboration with other branches of the Salesian Family present in Haiti, the Salesians work tirelessly to offer young people a better future in a country marked by uncertainty and hardship.

To learn more about the province of HAI, a video is available on ANSChannel.

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