About Us

Because we lost our archives in the 2010 earthquake, there is no accurate answer to this question. However, we have served approximately 200-250 children annually for many of the decades since our founding in 1945. While there is some turn-over in our student population, most remain with us through ninth grade, often having started at age three. Thus, a very conservative estimate would be 10,000.

St. Vincent's students are deaf, blind (or severely visually-impaired), and/or physically challenged. Because some 10% of Haiti's population suffers from significant loss of hearing, at any given point in time, we will have more students who are deaf than those with other disabilities. Presently, half of our student body is deaf. Some 60 are blind; and 40 are unable to walk and in wheelchairs.

 Unlike American schools, St. Vincent's does not have an Alumni Director on staff, so our information is largely anecdotal. We do know that some of our students go on to high school, vocational programs, or apprenticeships. From there, some go on to university, work in governmental agencies, such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Inclusion. Some work in and with churches - one is a Sister of the Society of St. Margaret, like our Founder, Sister Joan Margaret. Others return to St. Vincent's to pay it forward by working at the center to mentor and/or teach. Some have pursued their musical talents - one is a famous accordionist in Haiti. We are heartened that so many of our students have pursued their education and found employment.

For a long time, St. Vincent's was the only school of its kind in Haiti. We believe that we are still the only one to serve children with these specific and multiple disabilities, but some of our graduates have been inspired to start their own schools - mostly for 

the deaf or the blind. 

The majority of our funding comes from the Children's Medical Mission of Haiti - a 501(c)(3), or tax-exempt, institution under a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service of the United States - that is supported by individuals and institutions throughout North America. We also receive in-kind assistance from the Government of Haiti, Food for The Poor, and the Bureau of Nutrition and Development.