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Expanding Horizons
Welcome to Jakmel Ekspresyon or as the locals call it, JE. We are a space of non-discrimination for all people to learn, explore and create. Over the years, our member base has developed a community of forward thinking young intellectuals in Jacmel. The majority of the staff come from this community base and continue to provide a platform for the youth of Jacmel.
JE supports the community in a variety of ways. There are classes for the arts, professional skills and technology. The campus has social spaces for members to do their studies, research, and develop projects. Youth groups and projects can also apply to use our space to run workshops and classes, AND we have a ton of fun with the space by screening movies, hosting exhibitions and more.
The students take classes but more importantly they also use JE’s resources to create their own pathways of learning. They find faculty, suggest/request classes, and teach other students through collaboration. This is where knowledge turns into action and the youth take charge of their future. This is not the weak Haiti you see in the Media. This is the strength of Haiti flowing like a fountain from the youth.
Campus Project
The new campus is still in development. Our first building may not be pretty but it hosted 750 people in 2024. This building still has needs, as we continue to develop the campus. Click here to learn about our passive environmental system we hope to install.
The shipping container that delivered our solar panels in 2017 has been converted to a main campus office with a social space.
The next building, a performance center and library, will be expensive and so we are focusing on temporary outdoor classroom facilities. This covered outdoor area will hold our sculptural classes. Having an outdoor arts class sets the tone. The first thing our visitors and students will see is creativity, which is source of pride in Jacmel culture.
Community Projects
JE and it’s students have used this platform to do a number of community outreach projects. We have delivered 900 solar panels to the community with a focus on organizations and schools that had non-functional computer labs due to lack of electricity. The students of Robo Klub and members helped us assemble and test the solar panels.
In March 2020, COVID arrived in Haiti. The Department of Education told all schools to shut down. For us this provided a unique opportunity for our students and members to try out all their new skills. We love a “knowledge into action” plan! The philosophy club created a public service announcement, PSA, for the community to share on Facebook. Community members started 18 Health Brigades for their neighborhoods. Sewing students made masks and art students made health posters. JE partnered with a local infectious disease specialist for training, so the Brigades would be prepared to support their communities.
