1
students
2002
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students
2013
About us
SOPUDEP (Society of Providence United for the Economic Development of Petion-Ville) is a Haitian grassroots organization located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The organization’s Founder and Director, Madam Réa Dol, is an advocate of a Haiti built on equality and prosperity. SOPUDEP provides accessible education to adults and children, supports children’s and women’s rights, and creates programs of economic empowerment for members of the community. They also work closely with other local organizations to achieve the same goals in other communities that face economic and social challenges.
SOPUDEP works with all classes to bridge the gaps between them. SOPUDEP provides local leadership to achieve a socially responsible and engaged society, which will lead to a unified and stronger Haiti.
SOPUDEP provides
Vocational Programs
Education
Micro-credit enterprise
Community programs
Haiti, previously under dictatorial rule, was, by the mid-1990’s, experiencing newly-found democratic freedom, thanks to a long struggle of grassroots activists. Communities have a freer and freer voice to express political and social ideas. The SOPUDEP organization’s first school was opened in 2002. (The organization had been founded in 1994). SOPUDEP took democratic ideals, and created social programs that would benefit their community.
The government’s focus during the presidency of Jean-Bertrand Aristide on literacy inspired grassroots organizations to create locally-based adult literacy programs. SOPUDEP launched such a program in 2000, for adults, who began bringing their children and grandchildren, in hopes for an education as well. SOPUDEP’s Co-Founder and Director, Rea Dol, pursued the creation of a school that would provide education for children from kindergarten to grade 12. Réa did not receive support from NGO’s, but the mayor of Pétion-Ville gave her a ten year lease on an old burned out mansion. Early funding for the school was secured by friend, journalist and filmmaker, Kevin Pina. They were able to renovate the building into a functional space for education.
Over the years, SOPUDEP has branched out into other social projects, but more importantly, they have become a symbol of hope and positivity in their community. From finding and distributing food after the 2010 earthquake, to the economic programs they have started. The work they do with Haiti’s youth provides purpose and pride, bringing change to Haiti.
Copyright Creative Commons-SOPUDEP Grassroots Organization | Feature Photographer Darren Eli