4-week intensive program in electronics, robotics and programming: award-winning student project

Josias Pierre is a first-year student from Haiti who is one of this year’s Go Make A Difference award recipients. His Project ‘Join Our Path (JOP)’ is a 4-week intensive program in electronics, robotics and programming for 50 young Haitians (20 face-to-face and 30 online). Josias said that he “grew up in an environment where, as a child, he was made to understand that life was a race between himself and others” and that “like any fair race, everyone started from the same point.”

But as he grew older, he realized that coming first wasn’t the most important thing. After all, what you have means little if you have no one to share it with. Yet, why do we only start thinking about others once we believe we have enough? Instead, he chose to give back to his community with the opportunities and knowledge he is gaining along the way.
In Haiti, less than 25% of secondary schools offer quality STEM education, and only 19% of households own a computer. Girls are particularly disadvantaged too, which is why his program aims for a 50/50 gender split. Essentially, access to technology is almost non-existent in Haiti.

His program fills this gap with hands-on, collaborative learning. The funding from Go Make A Difference will enable him and his team to purchase equipment, support mentors and work towards building a sustainable STEM community in Haiti.

About the award:
GoMakeADifference was established in 2001 by Colin Habgood and Jill Longson to provide grants to UWC Atlantic College students. The concept was to allow students an opportunity to make a difference and put into practice the ideals of UWC. Learn more.