$2 million in funding to U of R to help students from Haiti

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Dominique Pierre grew up in Haiti, the daughter of a woman who helped others in a medical capacity, including in the slums of Port-au-Prince.

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Pierre went on to study medicine herself as a result before finally branching into education, a field in which she continues to work.

Her experience led her to co-found the Children of Haiti Project (COHP), a private, non-profit organization with a mission to bring strong education, nutrition and medical care to some of the country’s poorest children, thereby building future leaders.

Now those kids have a chance at even brighter futures thanks to the largest one-time donation made to the University of Regina.

“The situation in Haiti is dire …,” Pierre said at a Wednesday announcement at the U of R, noting the nation’s struggles with poverty and extreme events like earthquakes and hurricanes. “Our children come from the most impoverished backgrounds. They were earthquake refugees in tents, homeless, penniless. Today they are incredibly talented young people.”

In 2010, COHP opened its doors to kids aged four to five in the hard-hit capital of Port-au-Prince, providing education and a sanctuary. Most of those children have stayed in school and are now between grades nine and 11.

The question of what they will do after they finish their schooling in Haiti was behind the Wednesday announcement. While Pierre described the situation for many kids in Port-au-Prince as dire, there’s hope on the horizon thanks to a $2.08-million donation to the U of R from molecular biologist Dr. Nevan Krogan and his partners.

Krogan had an opportunity to travel to Port-au-Prince in 2018 and met the COHP students. He remembered one of the boys asking him if he was like his son.

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“And I looked at him and I said, ‘Actually, yes, you’re exactly like my son’ — and that’s the point is that the kids are the same all over the world,” Krogan said. “All they want is an opportunity. And I think this represents such a fantastic opportunity.”

The funding is to be used for a COHP Scholarship, which will not only fully fund an undergraduate degree for 10 high-achieving COHP graduates in the discipline of their choice at the U of R, but will also cover things like housing, immigration costs and living expenses.

Krogan, born and raised in Regina and a U of R graduate, operates a lab in San Francisco currently focusing on the scientific study of diseases, including COVID-19, and psychiatric disorders. He said being able to give back to the U of R while helping students in need is a win-win.

“I think it’s great for the kids, but it’s also good for the university, it’s great for the city, it’s great for the province if you can get 10 of the best students from any country …,” Krogan said. “I’m excited about this program. I’m very excited to see what these kids are going to do.”

The selection process for the scholarships is now underway. Once selected, students are expected to begin their education at the U of R a few at a time, beginning in 2023.

hpolischuk@postmedia.com

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