Port-au-Prince (Haiti). On 30 April 2026, the awards ceremony for the 2026 National Youth Letter-Writing Competition took place at the Hotel Karibe in Port-au-Prince, organized by the Haitian Postal Service (OPH) on the theme, “Write a letter to a friend about the importance of human relationships in the digital age.”
The competition, aimed at young people aged 9 to 17, brought together students from various schools across the country. Among the fifty Institutions invited to participate in this initiative, designed to foster critical thinking among young people by encouraging them to reflect on current issues that deeply affect their generation. Fourteen students were awarded a certificate of participation, while three winners distinguished themselves by taking the podium.
In a world marked by the omnipresence of digital technologies, participants were asked to express through a personal letter their understanding of human relationships and their importance in the shaping of the individual. This theme, at once timely and universal, gave rise to submissions rich in meaning and emotion.
Among the numerous candidates, Nissa Victoria Eliasme, a student in the Secondary II (S2) class at Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello School (CMDM) in Pétion-Ville, run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province (HAI), distinguished herself in particular, securing third place on the podium.
Your letter captured the jury’s attention through the quality of its expression, the coherence of its thought, and the depth of its insight into human relationships in the digital age, demonstrating a remarkable ability to combine sensitivity, lucidity, and maturity.
Nissa Victoria’s journey bears witness to a steadfast commitment throughout her academic career. A student at the FMA School since her very first year of elementary education, she has grown and evolved within this educational environment, which values both academic excellence and human formation.
This success is not merely the fruit of individual effort. It also reflects the quality of the guidance offered by the educators, both religious and lay, as well as the attention devoted to each student’s holistic development. Faithful to its educational mission, the School continues to shape young people capable of critical thinking, self-expression, and responsible engagement within society.
The recognition awarded to Nissa Victoria represents a source of pride for the entire FMA Educational Network, confirming the importance of fostering spaces where young people can develop their own voice, creativity, and sense of human connection, especially in a context where interactions are increasingly mediated by screens.
Beyond the performance itself, this recognition conveys a powerful message. Even in the digital age, the quality of human relationships remains essential. When supported and encouraged, young people are capable of offering a profound and hopeful perspective on the world around them, even in a dramatic situation such as the one currently unfolding in Haiti.
The Network of Vocational Training Centers (CFPs) and Salesian Schools of the FMA in Haiti expresses its gratitude to benefactors and Salesian entities for the financial support and solidarity that continue to make so many sparks of talent, hidden in the darkness, shine bright.
This success story serves as a reminder of how fundamental it is to continue investing in education, particularly for children and young people living in difficult circumstances. Support is essential to offer them opportunities for growth, spaces for self-expression, and a more dignified future, helping us together to enable many young talents to emerge and to build through education stronger human relationships and a more supportive society.
