Lakou NFP

Haiti is a country rich with culture, capable individuals, and communities. However, because of Haitis complex history, the vast majority of Haitians do not have the opportunities or resources to live out their dreams, let alone provide for their basic needs. Responding to this reality, Lakou NFP was founded In 2017 in the southwest community of Les Cayes. The organization is grounded in the ideology that, if equipped with quality education and opportunities, Haitians will change Haiti. Our program participants receive unparalleled on-the-job-site & in-classroom skill development coupled with a solid income base that allows them to take care of their families. At its core, Lakou is an in depth construction apprentice program that benefits the individual participants, their families, and their communities.

Our Vision starts right where people are, not with education or work alone, but with both. Through its unique internship-first approach to education, and its aggressive business development model centered first on commercial construction, Lakou provides real opportunity for change development from within. The core benefits of our program provide career exposure, exploration, coaching and monitoring. The internship experience is transformed into stable employment. We strongly believe in the power of Haitians building Haiti and believe it is a concept that will work anywhere. We urgently want to grow our program, make it available to more people and communities, and to create our own campus as a hub for technical and trade education in Haiti.
Lakou's programs are comprehensive, combining classroom education with on-the-job training to develop a skilled workforce in construction. This approach not only teaches practical trade skills but also leadership and life skills, crucial for personal and professional development.

Our project aligns with four specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN:

1. SDG Goal 1 No Poverty: By providing vocational training in construction to economically disadvantaged youth, this project aims to foster sustainable employment opportunities.

2. SDG Goal 4 Quality Education: The focus on vocational training & competency-based education is directly related to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.

3. SDG Goal 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth: It seeks to achieve full and productive employment by equipping participants with the skills needed in the local labor market, thereby contributing to the goal of decent work for all.

4. SDG Goal 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: By constructing earthquake resistant structures, Lakou provides the stable infrastructure that creates stability and allows for further innovation.

Lakou was founded in 2017 in Les Cayes, Haiti with the belief that the construciton industry has the potential to teach and train individuals to become skilled workers. Lakou recognizes that construction is a critical cornerstone for development and that training alone is not enough to effect change and make a difference in Haitian society and beyone.

To address this challenge, Lakou has a unique approach to education that centers on internships as the first step, followed by a business development model that focuses on commercial construction. This approach provides a real opportunity for change and development from within, with the core benefits of Lakou's program being career exposure, exploration, coaching, and monitoring, leading to stable employment.

In the short term, Lakou focuses on providing career opportunities through world-class vocational training, with individuals receiving training on real-world construction projects, and gaining valuable experience wholle developing critical skills. IN the mid-term, Lakou bridges the gap to career opportunities through aggressive bursiness development, creating real-world projects for education. In the long ter, Lakou aims to extend its reach and campus development model internationally.

Lakou's strategy is designed to create a sustainable and self-sufficient economic and social development model, providing students with the skills, experience, and career opportunities they need to succeed. The organization's mission is to create opportunities for the Haitian people through vocational training and job creation, with the vision of a Haiti where every individual has access to education and meaningful career and business opportunities.

Lakou is guided by the core values of community, respect, education, and humility at the organization's heart. The organization is committed to building long-lasting relationships with the communities it serves and working in partnership with Haitians to create sustainable solutions that positively impact the lives of individuals and communities.

Overall, Lakou Training Model is a unique approach to adult education in Haiti, designed to develop a skilled workforce capable of constructing buildings that meet international standards. By providing world-class teaching and career development, Lakou aims to build a stronger Haiti where all people can reach their full potential and become self-sustaining members of society.

Lakou's focus now is its three- year commercial construction program. It is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive training experience that prepares them to become skilled and productive workers in the construction industry. The program is structured so that participants can receive a certificate after each year, signifying the successful completion of that year's coursework.

During the first year of the program, Lakou strongly emphasizes safety and construction math, as well as basic techniques necessary for the construction trade. This foundational year is critical in laying the groundwork for the more advanced coursework that participants will undertake in subsequent program years. By focusing on safety and construction math, Lakou ensures that participants have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of construction and are equipped with the knowledge necessary to work safely and efficiently on construction sites.
In addition to safety and math, the program's first year also covers other vital topics such as blueprint reading, tool use, and material handling. By providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the many different aspects of construction work, Lakou ensures that they are well-rounded workers who can contribute to any aspect of a construction project.

Throughout the program's first year, participants are also exposed to the Lakou Training Model's unique approach to community involvement and responsibility. Instilling a sense of pride and responsibility in participants from the very beginning of their training, Lakou ensures that they understand the importance of their work. Participants will also be motivated to contribute to the overall development of their communities.

Overall, Lakou's three-year commercial construction program is a rigorous and comprehensive training experience that prepares participants to become highly skilled and productive workers in the construction industry. By placing a strong emphasis on safety, construction math, and community involvement, Lakou is setting a new standard for construction training in Haiti and beyond.

As Lakou continues to grow and expand its programs, the organization is putting its unique Lakou Training Model (LTM) into practice with two current cohorts of participants. Lakou will add another first-year cohort in the third quarter of 2024. This latest cohort will fill out the range of our three year program creating mentors in their last year assisting the new participants through their experience and knowledge. However, this expansion will require a careful approach to ensure that Lakou can continue to deliver high-quality training to all participants.

As Lakou expands, it is putting clear structures and guidelines in place to ensure that all participants receive consistent training and have access to the same opportunities. This helps to maintain the integrity of the program and ensure that Lakou continues to produce skilled and responsible workers for the construction industry.

In addition to developing structures and guidelines, Lakou is focusing on training staff, particularly teachers and coaches, in the new approach. The Lakou Training Model is a unique approach to construction training, and it is essential to ensure that all staff members are well-versed in the model's principles and techniques. This will require additional resources and investment in staff training, but it will be critical to ensuring that Lakou can continue to deliver high-quality training to its participants.

As in-classroom training expands to to a third group, the first two cohorts are in the midst of constructing a 35,000 square foot commercial building and warehouse. When finished, it will be Les Cayes' largest building of its kind and featuring a state of the art appliance show room and sales floor.

But Lakou's vision for sustainable development and impactful community engagement goes beyond construction training. Its plans to develop a vibrant and community-oriented campus, committing to being a driving force for positive change in the region. Lakou's approach also extends to supporting agriculture and food security, encouraging community involvement, volunteering, and promoting social and environmental sustainability.
But to turn this vision into reality, Lakou needs support from partners and funders who share its commitment to creating sustainable and equitable development in Haiti and beyond. By partnering with Lakou, potential funders can be part of a unique and impactful effort to provide quality education and training to marginalized communities, promote sustainable development and community engagement, and help create a better future for Haiti. This is an opportunity to invest in a truly transformative initiative committed to making real and lasting change in the country. Join us in building a better future by partnering with Lakou for sustainable development in Haiti and beyond.