THE SPARK of Le Flambeau Launches 13th Year

January 29, 2022, Le Flambeau Foundation , Inc.

Le Flambeau Foundation will be launching THE SPARK of Le Flambeau Fall session for the thirteenth year.  The THE SPARK of LF is an online language exchange program focused on extending educational opportunities to bright youth (27 yrs or younger) in and from Haiti, with English language learning as the foundation. This program provides a path for students to engage and earn their way forward.  The program was created by youth, for youth.

Alumni members of THE SPARK of LF sessions include two students who went on to earn full scholarships to attend college in the U.S. and who each graduated with a BA, including one who went on to earn an MBA.  Other alumni members went on to earn new pathways and income in Haiti.  This is a Le Flambeau Foundation program born in the spirit of learning, sharing, leading, and passing forward our gifts for the brightest future.

This Spring 2022 THE SPARK of Le Flambeau session will launch on February 7th, 2022 and will run until March 19th.  Featured will be students from Université Notre Dame d’Haiti (Cap-Haïti).  Our English Graders from past sessions included high school and college students and teachers, recent college graduates, and summer interns who taught in Haiti.  For this session we are pleased to have two recent college graduates who volunteered their time and expertise to co-lead this session, for a second time.  They are back by popular demand.

Meet Michael

Michael is a 2021 graduate from the University of Michigan. He majored in Spanish and International Studies (with a specific focus on Latin America & the Caribbean). Michael is a native Spanish speaker and a proud Colombian-American. His interests include reading, writing, traveling, and meeting people from around the world. He is excited to work with The Spark of Le Flambeau because he values community development and working with others. He is eager not only to help Haitian students practice their English, but to learn from them as well.

Meet Alexis

Alexis is a 2021 graduate from American University. She majored in International Studies with a focus on Sub-saharan Africa. She is a native English speaker and a proud African-American. Her interests include international music, languages, cooking, traveling and making friends from all over the world. She is excited to work with The Spark of Le Flambeau as she strongly believes that cross-cultural educational and language exchange are key contributors to developing a thriving social ecosystem. She is looking forward to learning more about Haiti and the Haitian people.

THE SPARK of Le Flambeau veteran Ms. Bijou Gervais is again serving as advisor for the English Graders throughout this session.  Participating youth are located throughout Haiti with most coming from the North side of the country, specifically Cap-Haitian. The top five participants who complete the session will receive a 2-year English learning Babbel app, resulting from the Le Flambeau Foundation / Babbel partnership.  The winner will receive a certificate, a TOEFL study kit (for future college scholarship opportunities), and widespread recognition via a feature article on the Le Flambeau Foundation website.  An exciting and rewarding session is ahead.  The future is bright!