In Fall of 2024, the Le Flambeau Foundation awarded the inaugural Dr. Luc L. Colas scholarships to two students in Haiti, attending Université Notre Dame d’Haïti (Cap-haitien). Dr. Colas is a founding father of the foundation. These scholarships cover their full college tuition for their final two years of college. Both recipients are pursuing degrees in Agronomy, a field that directly reflects Dr. Colas’ dedication to sustainable development and community empowerment in Haiti. Below are remarks from one of the two scholars, Rodné Trevol, as he moves forward with his second semester of this academic year. He is scheduled to graduate in August 2026.
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Bonjour to all,
I would like to thank you for the financial assistance you provided me to attend the Université Notre Dame d’Haïti (Cap-Haitien) – UNDH-C. My classroom experience this past semester was marked by challenges overcome, knowledge acquired, and obstacles. However, each obstacle I overcame strengthened my determination, resilience, and humanity.
In the first semester of my scholarship, I took courses in Cartography, Industrial Crops, Porciculture, Project Development, Applied Entomology, Biotechnology, Thesis 1, and Cultural System Improvement. I enjoyed all the subjects, but due to the food crisis we are facing in Haiti, I appreciated the Industrial Crops course the most.
I learned that industrial crops can reduce hunger in Haiti by providing raw materials for the processing industries: sugarcane, figs, bananas, peppers, tomatoes. Most fruits in Haiti have remained spoiled, for example: mangoes, oranges, cocoa, cherries. Among the lessons learned, I can cite the importance of industrial crops, which aim to limit imports. They contribute to improving our country’s trade balance and the technical level of farmers, and enhance agricultural production. Furthermore, industrial crops aim to increase farm profits. They enable job creation and, in turn, reduce unemployment.
Because industrial crops must meet a primary need, which is food. Industrial crops have different sectors; this will create many jobs, with fewer criminals; the work is diversified and is oriented towards the production, distribution, processing, preparation, preservation, transportation, certification, and packaging of food.
After obtaining my diploma, I plan to invest in entrepreneurship by encouraging other colleagues to join forces to start an agricultural production business. This will allow us to:
• Put into practice the knowledge acquired throughout our studies;
• Contribute to increasing national production and job creation;
• Generate profits.
Rodné Trevol 05/28/25 (translated from French)
To read the update provided by our other Dr. Luc L. Colas scholar, Fanequerlie Pierre, click here.
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### How to Get Involved
There are a number of ways to get involved with the Le Flambeau Foundation . As a supporter, you can donate to the foundation, volunteer your time, or become a mentor to a young person in Haiti. Feel free to contact us by clicking here.