Building Strong Foundations: A Haitian Mother’s Journey of Empowerment with the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child
June 1, 2025 — On this Global Day of Parents, we honor the extraordinary, everyday heroes who shape the futures of children—parents. At the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child (GC-DWC), we recognize that parents are a child’s first and most influential teachers, and that the home is where lifelong learning begins.
Research consistently shows that warm, responsive parenting and safe, nurturing home environments are essential to healthy brain development and early learning. That’s why the Global Center’s Parent Empowerment Program is grounded in evidence-based practices that strengthen parents’ capacity to foster their children’s growth during these early years. Through community-based workshops in Haiti, the Global Center walks alongside caregivers like Merlande Dorciné as they strengthen the foundation of love, learning, and hopeful futures in the home.
Merlande Dorciné lives in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, with her two daughters and her sister. Like many parents, she finds joy in the everyday rhythms of life with her children. However, when she was invited to attend the Global Center’s Parent Empowerment Program, she had no idea how much her parenting journey was about to change.
“From the first session,” she shared, “I felt it was a wonderful opportunity. The workshops opened my eyes to many things I did not know."
The Parent Empowerment Program in Haiti is a seven to ten-week course hosted in collaboration with local parish communities. Since its launch, the program has reached over 370 caregivers, offering a space for learning, reflection, and support. The sessions cover everything from nutrition and school readiness, to alternatives to corporal punishment, and strategies for strengthening the parent-child bond. Rooted in scientific research, faith, and local culture, the program equips parents with practical tools to transform their homes into spaces of growth and connection.
Before joining the program, Merlande believed that scolding or reacting in frustration was just part of parenting. But through the workshops, she discovered new ways of responding to her children—methods that are more effective and nurturing.
“I stopped using corporal punishment. Now, I talk to my children, I try to understand them, and I set clear limits without violence,” she said. “I learned how to use techniques like talking, giving good examples, and setting fair rules.”
For Merlande, the transformation was not only about behavior; it was about connection.
“Now, I play more with my children. I listen to them. I try to put myself in their shoes. They’re more open with me, and I feel more confident as a parent.”
She also sees the ripple effects of these changes in her children’s behavior and in their relationship. Patience and empathy have replaced fear, and trust has taken root.
“My children are not afraid to talk to me. They trust me more, and I feel that our relationship is much stronger.”
As a Haitian mother, Merlande also draws on the rich cultural traditions that shape parenting in her community. Respect for elders, mutual support among neighbors, and a deep sense of solidarity all play a role in how she raises her children.
“These values… respect and solidarity… give me confidence. I know that my children are growing up in a community that supports them.”
In Haiti, the challenges families face are undeniable—economic instability, natural disasters, political unrest, and limited access to resources can make caregiving especially difficult. Yet, amid these challenges, Haitian parents consistently go to extraordinary lengths to support and nurture their children. Too often, narratives focus solely on what is lacking. This narrow lens obscures a deeper truth: Haitian caregivers possess deep love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their children’s well-being.
When empowered with evidence-based strategies and surrounded by a strong community network, parents are better equipped to foster their children’s development. Rewriting the narrative means recognizing the strength that already exists in Haitian families, and ensuring that they have the tools and support to help their children thrive.
Makenzy Voltaire, GC-DWC Haiti Project Coordinator, reflects:
“In Haiti, parenting requires remarkable resilience in the face of daily challenges. Our Parent Empowerment Program transforms this strength into meaningful action by offering culturally grounded, evidence-based strategies. These tools help parents and caregivers build stronger relationships with their children, support healthy development, and create nurturing, stable environments. Through this work, we aim to break cycles of adversity and foster lasting change for families and future generations.”
When asked about her hopes for her children’s future, Merlande’s response reflects the heart of every parent’s dream:
“I hope they grow with self-confidence, a good sense of respect, and competency. I want to push them to learn as much as possible.”
To other parents who may be hesitant or unsure about attending the Parent Empowerment Program, Merlande offers a message of encouragement:
“Be patient and understanding. The workshops will help you understand your children and build strong relationships with them. They’ll become your friend instead of being afraid of you.”
At the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child, we are proud to walk alongside caregivers like Merlande, who are building a better future for their children each day. Her story is a reminder that empowered parents create empowered children—and that transformation begins not just in the classroom, but at home.
Interested in learning more about our Parent Empowerment Program? Visit https://iei.nd.edu/gc-dwc-haiti to see how we’re supporting Haitian families and communities.
About the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child (GC-DWC)
The Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child (GC-DWC) at the Institute for Educational Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame collaborates with researchers and practitioners to ensure the wellbeing—physical, emotional, social, and cognitive—of children and adolescents in low-resource and conflict-affected settings. Established to serve as a coherent platform for the Institute for Educational Initiative’s growing portfolio of global child development and learning programs, the GC-DWC creates environments that foster resilience and encourage children and adolescents to thrive. Using an innovative Whole Child Development (WCD) approach tailored to context-specific needs, the GC-DWC translates research into timely and thoughtful action, adapts research tools to improve the development of learning programs and policies, and activates systems (families, schools, communities) to lift children and adolescents out of adversity.
For more information about the GC-DWC, visit: https://iei.nd.edu/gc-dwc
About the Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI)
Founded in 1996, the Institute for Educational Initiatives consists of more than two dozen initiatives that strive to improve education for all youth, particularly the disadvantaged, paying special, though not exclusive, attention to Catholic schools. Through research, the formation of teachers and leaders, and direct service to educational systems, the IEI’s scholars and practitioners pursue interdisciplinary collaborations to better understand and improve PK-12 education in the United States and around the world..
For more information about the IEI and its initiatives, visit iei.nd.edu.
