05/14/2026
My name is Obertine Nicaisse. I am 35 years old, and I am currently a computer literacy student at HAPITECH.
I used to live in Port-au-Prince, but because of the growing insecurity and gang violence, I was forced to leave the capital and settle in La Vallée. The conditions under which I left were deeply traumatic. I would not wish that experience on anyone, yet sadly, it is the reality many Haitians are facing today.
While I was living in Port-au-Prince, I was seven months pregnant when I suddenly went into labor. On the way to the hospital, there was a large protest blocking the roads. I was in severe pain and unable to get through. By the time I finally arrived at the hospital, it was too late. My baby had already died in my womb.
Beyond the pain of losing my first child, the constant gunfire and fear surrounding us became unbearable. I realized I could not continue living under that level of stress. My husband and I made the difficult decision to leave the capital and start over in Jacmel.
Later, I became pregnant again. This time, I delivered my baby by cesarean section. Because of all the stress and trauma I had experienced in Port-au-Prince, my baby was born prematurely and had to spend seven days in an incubator. Thankfully, my child survived, and today I carry both gratitude and relief in my heart.
Even after settling in Jacmel, something still weighed heavily on me: I had never completed high school. I wanted to continue learning and build a professional skill for myself. That is when a friend introduced me to HAPITECH.
After learning more about the school, I chose to study computer literacy. Technology is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, and I believed this training could open new doors for my future. It was also something I had always been interested in.
Even though I do not live close to the school, I attend classes faithfully every weekend. During the week, I manage my small business while also taking care of my baby.
Today, I can finally say that my mind is more at peace. I am no longer living under constant stress, and learning this new profession gives me a deep sense of accomplishment and hope for the future.
My dream is to see HAPITECH continue to grow into a large institution that can serve even more people and give others the same opportunity it gave me.
