Talking Tech in Haiti

Raygine Francois

Raygine is a computer science/IT professional that now works in the south of Haiti. She runs a school, girl’s home and is the founder of Haiti STEM Alliance. In 2023, she ran a national competition/demonstration and took the first Haitian team to the International competition of the World Robot Olympiad.

You are the founder of the Haiti STEM Alliance. Can you tell me about your own experience in STEM?

I actually tick the T in STEM. I’m a technology specialist. I have my Master's in network telecommunications management. I have my bachelors in management information systems. I have an AS in Computer Sciences. So I studied the technology side of STEM. I was always a whiz in maths and so that's where it all comes into play. But Haiti STEM Alliance is actually a project under the organisation ‘Pennies for Haiti’.

In terms of general education in Haiti - schools and colleges - is there a big push on STEM subjects?

Not at all. Up to now, you might have one or two schools stating that they have computers in their classrooms and they have more of a hands-on curriculum but it’s very randomly spread and sporadic. Most schools in Haiti do not teach STEM; you won't find a chemistry lab. Few are hands-on. 

And how did you come to start the Haiti STEM Alliance project?

We started off by doing conferences for high school girls because here in Haiti girls are often not encouraged to go beyond high school because of financial pressures. A lot of times they end up being servants and they're not motivated to do more or to believe that they can do more. So I wanted to break that cycle because I was part of that world when I started studying technology; you had very few women in the field so it wasn't truly a woman's world yet. By the time I graduated it had definitely gotten better, but we were new to it. I wanted to break the ceiling here as well. So that's what we did.

And do you think it's a more equal environment now in the computer science field?

No. Definitely not in Haiti. In Haiti it's still very much a man's world. Which is why we try very hard to have all girl programmes as much as possible. We partner with all girls NGOs and groups to help the movement along. We still have some mixed groups but we like to have a girls group or team just to empower and inspire. 

Is there any particular moment or event or program that you're most proud of?

We have a Christmas meal every year - feeding children one hot meal on Christmas day. My house does not celebrate Christmas until the 26th or later because you will start cooking the children’s food from late night on the 23rd right into the 25th. On the 25th, we wake up and we head out and last year we fed almost 1,000 kids.

My highlight in the STEM world was last year when we went to Panama [for the World Robotics Olympiad]. We made it to Panama and these kids did not speak a word of English, did not know a word of Spanish; those were the two official languages at the competition. So the very little language they had they mustered up and presented their projects. I am proud of them because they were able to present. I'm more proud of them because it was their first time in the competition and they did not come last! It was their first competition ever. They had never made it to an international competition before. They were new to the environment, new to the language. Everything was just brand new to them and they still managed to hold their own and they did not come last. That was a proud moment for me. I see where our hard work went and even if we never win a competition, the idea is giving these kids an opportunity to be able to stand on an international stage and show their knowledge and their experience. 

Imagine this. We show up to a country where they have trains with automatic sinks. They have doors that open on their own and you have these kids that are coming from a world where they've never seen anything work on a sensor. And that's basically all these bathrooms work on is just a sensor. So their lives are changed. So it's amazing to see them bloom in that world and learn. These things will affect them for the rest of their lives. 

Absolutely, and how many teams were competing there?

I think they had people from 48 countries there. 

Wow. What advice would you give to young women looking to get into a career in stem?

Don't be scared. Fall down, get back up. Just keep moving. Don't be intimidated. Don't be scared because you will always have naysayers around you. 

Are there any recent inventions or innovations that you find particularly exciting at the minute?

I'm actually afraid of what's coming our way. I was in the States when ChatGPT was released and you could feel the difference immediately and the things that could be done and the things that were possible. But as much as I push technology and I want people to understand it, I want people to understand it both for the good and the bad. 

 But I am still looking forward to the flying car…

Yeah, that would be nice. It'll be nice to get out of a traffic jam on a Friday afternoon.

I think it’ll only change where the traffic jam is going to be.

You’re so right! So final question, who inspires you?

My 11 year old son because I feel that as a parent, if we're not informed, we cannot give our kids the best information on all that is out there for them to learn.

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Wynda Cesar

Wynda is a 22 year old robotics coach from Haiti. She was a delegate in the group that went to the international competition of the World Robot Olympiad. 

To begin with can you tell me how you first got interested in robotics?

My interest in robotics started when I was in NS2 (11th grade). From the first time I used Arduino (an open-source electronic prototyping platform enabling users to create interactive electronic objects) I fell for it and I knew that I was going to stick with it forever because it was new for me and increased my eagerness to dive into technology. I have always dreamed of creating automation. My interest in robotics started from the moment I took Susan Frame’s first course on Arduino.

Are you interested in other STEM subjects as well? Science, maths etc?

Obviously! I’m interested in science but I have a great preference for technology.

What recent technology inventions/innovations do you find most exciting?

So far, I think the most exciting technological innovation is the Metaverse. It is a bit risky and perhaps increases the physical distance between people but it is a major advantage for those who have travel problems, as is demonstrated by some companies that have already adopted it to create virtual workspaces.

You are a robotics coach. What does that involve?

As a robotics coach, my job is to introduce my students to the world of technology, teach them to blend their imagination and knowledge and, above all, teach them to work as a team. To tell the truth, I only show them the steps to follow, everything they can create comes from their own imaginations.

I always have to be patient and mentally ready because children, especially younger ones, require special attention. Sometimes I use the “We are the robot” technique. This technique consists of giving each of them the name of the technological equipment/object that we are going to use, so they can more quickly pick up the names and functions appropriate to each equipment.

How was your experience at the World Robot Olympiad? How many people were there?

It was a truly extraordinary experience. I was speechless when faced with the imagination and creative power of young people. I learned a lot and really wanted to learn more. There were more than a thousand participants and eight Haitians were present.

Was it your first visit to Panama? Did you get an opportunity to explore?

Yes, it was my first visit to Panama. With the little time I had, I was able to see the magnificence of Panama though unfortunately we couldn't go far from our hotel as there were riots. I met nice people; the welcome was very warm. The funny thing that happened to us was that we got lost in the Albrook [a large shopping mall], and that's something I will not forget.

What are your future ambitions? Do you hope to work in the field of robotics?

For the future, I would like to see more youth in my country participate in the Robotics Olympiad. But I’d especially like to see them participate in the technological development of my city, or even my country. Of course, I hope to work in the field of robotics, otherwise, how would I help the technological development of my country?

Who inspires you? 

As role models, I have several people. They are all strong women who fight day after day, women who taught me that knowledge has no gender and even less age. There is my sister Johanne César, a woman whom I consider as a mother Itziar Pequeño, a nun with a big heart Sister Agathe Nzenzi and finally Susan Frame who is a real source of energy for my determination to evolve.

Thank you Raygine Francois and Wynda Cesar for their time!