Haitian Educational Initiatives works directly with partners in Haiti to give poor children access to education, vocational training and nutrition. Keep up with the latest news about our children, our partners and our programs at www.haitied.org Fundamental change will not occur in Haiti until Haitians themselves feel empowered to improve their society. This is an enormous challenge in a country where 80% of the population subsists below the poverty line and 45% of adults are illiterate. Currently, extreme poverty, aggravated by recent natural disasters and a dysfunctional government, prevents many children from attending school. Access to education for every Haitian child is the crucial first step in the development by Haitians of long-term solutions to their economic and political problems.