FLORIDA, (CMC) – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) says its Education Foundation will continue its support for the Spoken Hospitality English course in Haiti despite the unrest and violence plaguing the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.

Chairperson of the Education Foundation, Karolin Troubetzcoy,speaking at the ceremony to celebrate the completion of 22 students from the four-month-long programme at the Ecole Hoteliere d’Haiti, acknowledged that the circumstances under which the students had to learn were very difficult at times.

But she said “we appreciate the determination to see this through. Your journey through this course underscores not just the culmination of one chapter but the commencement of another chapter. We are happy to continue the collaboration.”

The Spoken Hospitality English course provides industry workers who speak French and Creole, the tools to communicate and deliver service in English.

“English opens doors to the world. This programme is hands on, they learn the language of hospitality management and I would love to do the same for culinary arts, housekeeping and other programs at the school,” said Ecole Hoteliere d’Haiti director, Karine Conde Emeran.

Haitian Tourism Minister Cassandra Francois, a former student in the programme, said “destiny led me to Minister of Tourism. I began as a personal assistant and now the minister.”

“I benefited from this programme which allowed me to improve my English. English is considered the main commercial language. It is the most used in the tourism sector. Mastering this language is essential if you want to be a professional in tourism,” he added.

Meanwhile, the CHTA Education Foundation has acknowledged the contributions from Chelle Hulford and the team at Curtain Bluff, Antigua, who have supported the Haiti project since its inception in 2012.

“Up until her passing in September 2023, Chelle championed the programme She gave her of her personal time to our 2012-14 Haitian students studying in Antigua, hosted a fundraiser for Team Haiti to attend 2012 Taste of the Caribbean, and continued to offer fabulous raffle prizes over the years that the Education Foundation dedicated to our Haiti initiatives as she desired,” Troubetzcoy said.