Sofia’s return to the classroom

UNICEF published the story of Sofia, a 16-year-old who had been away from school for years amid insecurity and financial difficulties. After displacement from Port-au-Prince, she was identified for help to resume her education. Her experience was reported by UNICEF, not through Bisou Bisou Haiti.

What the reporting tells us

Her story is a reminder that being out of school is not the same as losing the desire to learn. When students return, they may need patient instruction, a chance to catch up without stigma, and practical help with materials and costs.

We want future educational opportunities to feel open to learners whose journeys have been interrupted. A second chance is not charity in the abstract—it is the restoration of a possibility that should never have been taken away.

A return is more than a reopening

Coming back to class after upheaval can bring joy and anxiety at the same time. A learner might recognize none of the adults, worry about being behind, or struggle with a longer journey. Teachers and families can support a return by celebrating attendance first and assessing academic needs without stigma.

What can help

When reading a child’s reported experience, it is important to distinguish what the student actually said from broader conclusions about the crisis. The reporting linked below is the source of the account. Bisou Bisou Haiti does not claim the student took part in our programs, and the photograph on this page is illustrative rather than an image of that individual.

A school’s status can change faster than a national statistic. Compare this chapter with our subsequent reporting on closure figures, relocated families and the kinds of school investments that may help learning resume.