As Haiti faces ongoing instability and gang violence, entrepreneur Mike Bellot is revolutionizing education with Kaw Academy, a free online platform offering courses in Creole. Since launching, it has reached 90,000 users, providing skills in digital marketing, e-commerce, project management, and IT.
Bellot, a former professor at Université Notre Dame, was kidnapped in 2021, forcing him to flee to the U.S. Despite this, he transitioned his in-person classes to online, which led to the creation of Kaw Academy. “Young Haitians need access to quality education. This platform gives them the tools to build a better future,” he says.
Kaw Academy offers six certification programs in partnership with Google, covering IT support, cybersecurity, and e-commerce. Instructors include leading Haitian professionals like economist Etzer Emile and Digicel Chairman Marteen Boute. The academy also supports the Haitian diaspora by connecting them to global job opportunities.
To sustain its mission, Kaw Academy seeks funding from NGOs and donors. Bellot envisions it as a model for other nations facing educational barriers.
For more information or to donate, visit KawAcademy.com.
