NetHope's IT Academy
The NetHope Academy provides local IT skills training to build in-country technical expertise. The initiative was created in 2006 to help NGOs improve emergency response and enhance organizational effectiveness by strengthening crucial ICT skills.
Read about and Apply for the NetHope IT Academy Haiti Internship Program.
Click here to learn more about NetHope’s response in Haiti since the January 12, 2010 earthquake.
Learn more about the NetHope ICT Skills Building Initiative and the impact of training on humanitarian workers around the world.
The Faces of NetHope Academy in Haiti
Click on a person to learn more...
Max Benito B.Academy Intern
My name is Benito and I am the oldest of three children. I am a computer science student at ESIH. I left my school a few minutes before the first earthquake hit on January 12. My school was destroyed and several of my close friends were killed.
I have not given up my dream to be a computer engineer. I am very interested in pursuing a Masters desgree in Network Engineering. The NetHope Academy will give me the opportunity to get some real world training on the job at an organization like Save the Children or CHF International. This will let me do meaningful work but also learn a great deal at the same time.
I believe that computers will play an important part in building my country. We have seen what computers have done in other parts of the world and it’s exciting to think about ways that we can utilize them to be more effective in what we are doing.
Thank for NetHope Academy for giving me this opportunity to learn and help.
Juste Ernst ReneAcademy Intern
Hello. I am Juste Ernst Rene and I am completing my fourth year at Ecole Superieure Infotronique of Haiti (ESIH) in Port-au-Prince. My whole world changed in January when the earthquake hit. I was inside ESIH with three other people. Two of them died and one of them is in a critical situation. I was stuck for five or six hours under the walls of the school. I am OK today and am working hard to help my family return to normal.
My mother and father (who passed away) always encouraged my studies. I have been learning many things about computers at ESIH. I have learned how to install software, repair computers, install cabling, configure servers and many other things. I am also now learning about network administration which is very interesting to me.
We lost many teachers, students and materials when the earthquake hit. The NetHope Academy is a chance for us to rebuild. I can continue my studies and get valuable work experience. And we can begin using IT to help develop Haiti. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to tell my story.
Varnek-Edouard BazileIT Specialist
CHF International – Haiti
I lost my wife and two young children in the Haiti earthquake. After the earthquake, I came to CHF as a volunteer to help with language translations mostly because I thought I could help my people. I had some experience with IT so CHF hired me to be an IT Officer. I am always studying IT and want to learn a lot more.
Several years ago, my wife suggested that I take up another skill so I decided to study computer repairs at a trade school called Center de Formation Professionelle d'Haiti (Canado) where I learned a little of everything from basic programming, networking and database management etc. Today I work in the level of desktop management which provide repair and maintenance support for information technology equipment and systems.
I want to learn more. My goals are to learn about Windows 2003/2008 server, Active Directory management, group policy (roaming profiles, folder redirection), management of file and printer servers and maintenance of backup systems. I am choosing this because these are the areas that CHF needs help with.
CHF International has a big impact in Haiti. Mostly our program staff work to provide essential shelter, health, food, water and sanitation services and job opportunities through our work force development programs.
I am thankful about NetHope Academy programs that are planned for Haiti. I hope to help others get into the IT field and get CompTIA and Microsoft Certifications.
Fania SanonAcademy Intern
I am Fania Sanon, computer Scientist. I am the oldest in my family, I’m single. I live with my mother and brothers. I attended Ecole Supérieure d’Infotronique d’Haiti and graduated with a degree in Computer Science.
I have always been fascinated with new technologies but am especially interested in large scale network design and administration.I have completed all of the educational requirements but I very much need to have some practical expeirence. On the job training can take the things I have learned in school and bring them to life. I have overcome many obstacles and I am eager to learn more. I just need a chance.
I am very happy about the work of NetHope Academy to benefit the experience of working in a multicultural environment. I hope to acquire new knowledge, make new experiences and also contribute to rebuild my country by the NGOs. Thank you.
NetHope's members have identified a shortage of Haitian IT talent and engineers as a significant problem. There were very few qualified IT professionals in Haiti before the earthquake, and this shallow resource pool was further depleted following the earthquake. To address this concern, NetHope is launching the NetHope Academy training initiative in partnership with Haitian organizations.
The NetHope Academy will provide interested individuals an opportunity to gain significant IT skills that will increase their economic opportunities and allow them to directly participate in the reconstruction of their communities. The program will give priority placement and scholarships to women, secondary city natives and severely disadvantaged individuals. NetHope members will provide six-month training internships so that students can gain on-the-job experience. Participating members will co-fund tuition for their respective interns.
The goal of this initiative is to provide vital IT skills training to deserving individuals, as well as directly address the need of the local community and NetHope's member agencies. We believe that such a training program will act as a catalyst for local Haitian enterprises to implement and prosper from creating IT skills training programs.
Support the Academy
$50: Sponsor an Instructor – Through the generous donations of Microsoft, Cisco and their training networks, instructors will deliver classroom training on a pro bono basis. Help cover the instructors' out-of-pocket expenses while in Haiti.
$100: Fund Computer Time for 50 Students – Haitian NetHope Academy students will be required to spend at least 5 hours a week of self study beyond the time they spend in the classroom. Help fund computer lab time for 50 students.
$175: Sponsor an Haiti NetHope Academy Intern – Students who demonstrate a high level of IT literacy will also be given an opportunity to participate in the Haiti NetHope Academy Intern program. Each intern will be paid a small stipend to help cover living expenses and alleviate income constraints while completing an internship. Help fund an intern's stipend for one month.
Make A High-Impact Gift Today
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