In southern Haiti’s most remote, underresourced regions, getting access to high-quality medical care can be very difficult. Hope for Haiti’s referral program serves patients with urgent medical conditions, organizing medical transfers and ensuring they receive emergency care, especially when families cannot afford treatment. This program helps save dozens of lives every year.

One of these saved lives is Zamy Cassami, a 15-year-old girl, the sixth of nine children. She comes from a humble family in southern Haiti. Her parents, like many others in the region, survive by farming and doing small trade.

When Zamy became very sick, her parents took her to the general hospital. The doctors said she urgently needed a laparotomy, a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity to examine the organs and diagnose the issue. But because her family had no money, she could not get the operation. Left untreated, her condition quickly got worse. Her parents were desperate and didn’t know what to do until they heard about Hope for Haiti’s healthcare program and infirmary.

When Zamy arrived at Hope for Haiti’s Infirmary St. Etienne, she was in critical condition. Her mother’s face showed fear and exhaustion. She was ready to say goodbye to her daughter. But thanks to the referral program, Zamy was quickly sent to a partner hospital, where she had the emergency laparotomy, which revealed an intestinal obstruction, and the treatment she needed. Without this operation, she may not have survived.

Hope for Haiti’s referral program made this urgent treatment possible by paying for everything: the surgery, lab tests, medicine, and hospital stay. We believe that access to high-quality healthcare is a human right, and that no family should have to lose a loved one to a treatable condition.

Today, Zamy is back home with her mother, smiling and full of gratitude. She and her family are grateful for the Referral team’s fast action and the healthcare providers at our partner hospital.

<< You can support life-saving healthcare access by making a gift today >>

The post 15-Year-Old Girl Saved by Hope for Haiti’s Healthcare Referral Program appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

As a single mother of three, Kesna faces the added challenge of managing her health while raising children, two of whom also suffer from asthma. The situation is even more difficult living in a remote area with limited access to medical care, and each asthma attack becomes a frightening race to reach Les Cayes for treatment, often requiring

a perilous boat ride. For the past 15 years, Hope for Haiti has provided a lifeline to Kesna and her children, offering them access to life-saving medications, regular check-ups, and essential education on managing asthma.

Despite these challenges, Kesna remains incredibly resilient, doing everything in her power to ensure her children receive the care they need to live healthier lives. She attends her medical appointments every month, ensuring she stays on top of her treatment, and relies on Hope for Haiti’s Infirmary St. Etienne for the medications that help her manage the condition. But recently, Kesna’s condition has worsened, and her asthma attacks have become more severe and prolonged, putting her at greater risk.

When Kesna arrived at the clinic in critical condition, Hope for Haiti’s team acted swiftly to stabilize her, administering nebulizers and saline solution to improve her breathing. However, due to the severity of her condition, Kesna needed specialized care that could not be provided at the clinic. Hope for Haiti immediately referred her to a trusted medical partner through our Referral Program, covering all the costs of her treatment, including consultations, tests, hospitalization, and medications.

Hope for Haiti ensured that Kesna received the care she urgently needed, without any financial burden standing in her way. For Kesna, this was more than just receiving medical care, it was the chance to regain control over her health and continue caring for her family. “If it weren’t for Hope for Haiti, I would have died. What this hospital has done for me is what only my mother and father could have done. I will never stop thanking the Hope for Haiti team for the way they have helped me with this illness. They have never given up on me. Mesi Anpil Anpil!”

Kesna’s story is a testament to the resilience of the Haitian people, the critical role Hope for Haiti plays in providing access to healthcare, and the importance of unwavering support from donors like you.

You can help support people like Kesna by making a gift today >>

The post Resilience in the Face of Chronic Illness: Kesna’s Story appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

Thanks to the extraordinary commitment of our team, our partners, and generous supporters like you, Hope for Haiti’s programs impacted the lives of more than one million children, parents, and grandparents across southern Haiti this past year.

That’s over one million lives changed, whether through access to safe drinking water, empowerment through a small business loan, or a life-saving operation through our healthcare referral program. None of the inspiring stories we share would be possible without the support of people like you. 

In this video, Hope for Haiti CEO, Skyler Badenoch, and Chief Program Officer, Linda Thélémaque, invite you to explore our 2024 annual report, a collection of stories and impact numbers that your generosity helped make possible. Check it out now, as well as more than a decade’s worth of impact in Haiti, here.

You can make a gift to help support this life-saving work now.

The post Introducing Our 2024 Annual Report appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

Returning for its highly anticipated second year, Vineyards in the Valley is a wine-tasting event featuring a curated selection of more than 45 ultra-premium, highly allocated boutique wineries. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of wines, enjoy upscale hors d’oeuvres, and bid on exclusive items and experiences via silent auction. Proceeds from the event support Hope for Haiti and its work to provide breast and cervical cancer screenings to women in rural Haiti, nutrition support for food-insecure mothers, and access to life-saving medications for families seeking access to healthcare.

Below are the wineries that have committed to attending our 2025 event so far. Check back for updates!

Almacerro | Amizetta | Aperture Winery & Cellars | AXR | Black Kite Cellars | Cornell Vineyards | Croix Estate | Fairchild Napa Valley & Stones | Fe | Gemstone Vineyard | Impensata | Lando Wines | Lithology | Lombardi Wines | Memento Mori | MOWE Napa Valley | Pahlmeyer | Penfolds | Phifer Pavitt  | Repris | Rewa Vineyards | Sangiacomo | Saxon Brown | Sign of the Dove | Somnium | Taub Family Vineyards | Vineyard 29 | Vokel Cellars | Zakin Family Estate

The post Vineyards in the Valley 2025 Committed Wineries appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

Mont-Carmel School in Ricot is one of Hope For Haiti’s partner institutions, located in a small community in the Southeast Department of Haiti. Before our partnership, the school building was in a severely deteriorated state. Only three makeshift classrooms were used to accommodate more than nine grade levels (from Pre-K to 9th grade), creating extremely challenging conditions for effective learning. On rainy days, classes often had to be canceled. The tin roof was riddled with holes, allowing water to pour directly into the classrooms and forcing the school to close.

Thanks to the support of Hope For Haiti and grant funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, major improvements were made. Three brand-new classrooms were built, the roofs of the existing structures were fully repaired, and new doors were installed to better secure the learning spaces. In addition, a sanitation block (restrooms) was constructed to meet the basic hygiene needs of students and teachers, significantly improving health conditions and dignity on campus.

Madame Antonine Cléovil, the school principal, said, “Through this gesture, Hope For Haiti has not only helped expand our school, but also strengthened our hope for a better tomorrow.

On May 15, 2025, our team traveled to Ricot to officially inaugurate the new school block. The entire community came together for this important celebration: parents, students, teachers, and local leaders joined in. The event was marked by songs, traditional dances, and inspiring speeches from the school director and local priest Father Cazeau Fagant, making it a truly memorable day.

“This new school building is more than a beautiful structure, it is a living symbol of opportunity and progress,” said Father Père Cazeau Fagnant during the inauguration. “It represents the chance for more children to receive a quality education in a safe and dignified learning environment.”

You can help support education initiatives like this one by making a gift today!

The post Students Welcomed to New Classrooms in Ricot, Haiti appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

“Working at Hope for Haiti since August 2021, and for about two years as Economic Development Manager, has been a deeply enriching experience, both professionally and personally. What I love most about my role is being able to directly contribute to initiatives that have a tangible impact on the lives of families living in vulnerable communities in the Southern region of Haiti. Supporting these communities in their efforts to improve their living conditions, strengthen their economic capacities, and promote self-sufficiency is a daily source of motivation for me. 

Leading a team is both an exciting challenge and a valuable learning opportunity. I have discovered how essential active listening, trust, and recognition are for motivating a team and fostering a collaborative work environment. At Hope for Haiti, I have the privilege of working with passionate, committed colleagues who are deeply connected to the realities on the ground. This team dynamic pushes me to give my very best every single day.

A Leadership Journey That Transformed Me

Through my leadership journey, I have learned a lot about myself. I have developed greater adaptability, empathy, and, above all, a more human-centered approach to leadership. I’ve realized that sustainable impact comes through strengthening local capacities, and that a leader’s role is not just to give directives, but to guide, train, and inspire. This same leadership experience also led me, three years ago, to co-found a local organization called “Ansanm Pou Timoun” (Together for Children). Based in Petit-Goâve, it aims to educate children, support families, and transform communities. This initiative brings hope to the youth in my community and aligns perfectly with my vision of sustainable and inclusive development.

At its core, Hope for Haiti is an organization that places communities at the heart of its actions. The Economic Development program aims to create opportunities within the local economy by facilitating access to financial assistance and education for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Grand Sud region. We firmly believe that economic empowerment is a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty. Every project led by our team has a real impact: whether it’s helping women entrepreneurs strengthen their small businesses, supporting community agricultural initiatives, or assisting women in accessing savings and credit through the establishment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), we see concrete and positive changes. These successes, even when they start small, have a multiplier effect on families and the community as a whole.

In summary, my work and that of my team at Hope for Haiti go far beyond numbers and indicators. Step by step, we are building bridges towards a better future for thousands of people. It is this vision of sustainable, human-centered development that gives true meaning to our mission.”

You can learn more about the Economic Development initiatives Wilner and his team lead here.

The post My Journey as Economic Development Manager at Hope for Haiti: A Human and Inspiring Experience appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

The team at the Infirmary St. Etienne (ISE) diagnosed Julien with type 2 diabetes and prescribed her medication to treat it, but after some time, Julien returned to the ISE, reporting gastrointestinal distress.

The Hope for Haiti team spoke with Julien and one of her daughters, Naike, about her symptoms. Together, they determined that the prescribed treatment was causing Julien to have some negative side effects and sought another course of treatment.

That’s when the doctor prescribed Januvia (sitagliptin), which is used with diet and exercise to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

This medication was generously donated to Hope for Haiti by CMMB through its Gift-In-Kind program, which supplies medications and medical supplies to 61 healthcare partners, ranging in size from small clinics to regional hospitals, and the Haitian Ministry of Health.

Thanks to partners like CMMB, approximately 1 million patients like Julien receive life-altering medication in Haiti each year through Hope for Haiti’s Gift-In-Kind program. Julien and her daughter Naike shared during a recent visit that they were very happy with the treatment and thankful for her medication.

“They take good care of people,” Julien added about the organizations.

You can help ensure that mothers like Julien have access to healthcare essentials by supporting our Healthcare program today.

The post “They Take Good Care of People”: Julien’s Story of Compassion and Care at Infirmary St. Etienne appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Naples, FL — May 1, 2025 — In celebration of National Water Quality Month this August, Hope for Haiti is proud to announce the launch of Buckets of Hope, a nationwide fundraising campaign supporting the organization’s critical WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) program in southern Haiti.

Buckets of Hope invites schools, churches, businesses, clubs, sports teams, hospitals, restaurants, and individuals across the U.S. to make a tangible difference by filling a branded “Bucket of Hope” with donations throughout August and September.

“Access to clean water is one of the most urgent needs in the communities we serve,” said Skyler Badenoch, Hope for Haiti CEO. “Buckets of Hope empowers people everywhere to be part of the solution in a simple, meaningful, and community-driven way.”

How It Works:

• Participants register online to receive a branded fundraising bucket or a sticker to put on their own bucket.
• Buckets are shipped directly to participants, who then engage their networks—friends, family, neighbors, teams, and coworkers—to fill the bucket with donations during August and September. Donations can be in the form of cash, check, or via credit card through the team’s fundraising page.
• In early October, mail in a check equal to your total or donate it through the Buckets of Hope website.
• All funds raised will go directly to Hope for Haiti’s ’s WASH program, which provides access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and hygiene education in vulnerable Haitian communities.
• Top fundraising teams and individuals will be recognized and awarded prizes for their outstanding efforts. Stayed tuned for details!
  

A custom campaign website will provide a central hub for registration, fundraising tips, impact stories, and tracking progress throughout the month.

For more information and to get involved, visit Hope for Haiti’s Buckets of Hope Website.

About Hope for Haiti

With experience running poverty alleviation programs in Haiti since 1989, Hope for Haiti has emerged as one of the most trusted non-profit organizations working to improve the quality of life for the Haitian people, particularly children. The organization’s team and network of partners in southern Haiti provide people with better access to education, healthcare, water, and economic development opportunities. Hope for Haiti is a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator and a participant at the Platinum Level through the GuideStar Exchange, two leading independent evaluators recognizing the organization’s transparency and careful stewardship of donor resources. To learn
more, visit www.hopeforhaiti.com.

The post Hope for Haiti Launches “Buckets of Hope” Campaign to Support Clean Water Initiatives During National Clean Water Month appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

Just Two Weeks Left to Hike for Haiti

Time really does fly when you’re having fun! So far, the 7th Annual Hike for Haiti has taken us from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Atlanta, Georgia, and raised more than $74,000 to support healthcare and education in Haiti. Next, we’ll head to Naples, Florida, and Greenwich, Connecticut!

Whether you’re joining us in-person or hiking and fundraising in your own community, remember that the fundraising deadline for this year’s prize eligibility is on May 31! So keep sharing your team or individual fundraising pages to help even more people get access to essentials like school books and asthma medication, while securing your spot as one of our grand prize winners!

$7,000 Donation Match Live!

In honor of the 7th Annual Hike for Haiti, we’re excited to announce that the next $7,000 in donations will be matched, instantly DOUBLING your impact! Help us reach our goal to raise $100,000 to support healthcare and education in Haiti by May 31 by making a gift today. Every dollar makes a difference!

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT NOW

How Your Support Makes an Impact: Belizaire’s Story

At just 13 years old, Belizaire Mikerbens faced a life-threatening mystery illness that turned his once-happy childhood upside down. His family, already struggling financially, quickly ran out of resources trying to afford his care, until they were told about Hope for Haiti’s healthcare clinic, the Infirmary St. Etienne.

“I received all this treatment without paying any money,” said Belizaire. “The medical staff was really patient, and they explained everything to me about my diabetes [diagnosis]—when and how to take insulin, how to control my blood sugar level, and how to eat. I also received a device to monitor my blood sugar, alcohol, insulin, and other medications. Thanks to the information I received at ISE, I now raise awareness among my friends at school and in the neighborhood on how to recognize the signs of diabetes.”

Belizaire’s story is a powerful reminder that your generosity helps save lives! Read more about Belizaire’s journey here.

SUPPORT HEALTHCARE ACCESS IN HAITI

Explore Our Infirmary St. Etienne with CEO Skyler Badenoch

By now, you’ve likely heard a lot about our Infirmary Saint Etienne (often referred to as the ISE), located in Les Cayes, Haiti. In this new video, Hope for Haiti CEO Skyler Badenoch invites you to take a look inside the infirmary to meet team members and see how your donations make truly life-changing impact.

SUPPORT HEALTHCARE THROUGH THE HIKE FOR HAITI

Introducing Buckets of Hope

This August and September, join us for Buckets of Hope, a national fundraising campaign benefiting Hope for Haiti’s WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) program.

In honor of National Water Quality Month, we’re rallying schools, churches, businesses, sports teams, community groups, and more to take part in a simple, powerful challenge: to fill a bucket with donations to provide clean water access in Haiti.

REGISTER NOW

Follow @hopeforhaiti on social media:
Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok| Threads | Bluesky

The post 💸 Donation Match Now Live + Your Impact in Haiti appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

13-year-old Belizaire Mikerbens

Thirteen-year-old Belizaire Mikerbens is a bright and hardworking boy who enjoys farming and gardening. Living with his four siblings, mother, and father, Belizaire was leading an active and happy life. But when he suddenly began drinking excessive amounts of water and frequently urinating, his mother initially thought it was due to his love of eating fruit. It was his aunt who suspected something more serious and urged his mother to take him to the hospital.

Belizaire’s mother took him to Hôpital Immaculée Conception (HIC) in Les Cayes for a consultation. There, they discovered that his blood sugar level was dangerously high (400 mg/dl), confirming a diagnosis of diabetes. They were shocked by the news and couldn’t believe that diabetes could affect children like him.

The hospital decided to admit him, but within three days, his mother had already spent all the money she had. The high cost of medications left them feeling helpless, especially being so far from home. They didn’t know where to turn next, until a fellow patient at HIC told them about Infirmary St. Etienne (ISE), Hope for Haiti’s healthcare clinic.

Upon arriving at ISE, Belizaire was seen by a Hope for Haiti pediatrician. His blood sugar levels remained dangerously high, prompting the team to refer him to one of Hope for Haiti’s trusted medical partners for specialized care until he became stable and could be treated there. From that moment on, Belizaire never missed an appointment.

Thanks to the support of Hope for Haiti, Belizaire received life-saving medical treatment and diabetes education at no cost to his family.

“I received all this treatment without paying any money,” said Belizaire. “The medical staff was really patient, and they explained everything to me about diabetes—when and how to take insulin, how to control my blood sugar level, and how to eat. I also received a device to monitor my blood sugar, alcohol, insulin, and other medications. Thanks to the information I received at ISE, I now raise awareness among my friends at school and in the neighborhood on how to recognize the signs of diabetes.”

Patients line up to be seen at Hope for Haiti’s Infirmary St. Etienne (ISE) in Les Cayes, Haiti.

Belizaire’s story is an example of how access to healthcare can transform lives. Through Hope for Haiti’s support, he not only learned how to manage his condition but also became an advocate for diabetes awareness in his community.

At Hope for Haiti, we believe that no child should have to face a life-threatening illness without access to care. Stories like Belizaire’s motivate us to continue our mission of providing quality healthcare to children and families in Haiti. Your support helps ensure that children like Belizaire receive the treatment they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Want to help more children like Belizaire? Donate today and be a part of the change!

The post From Fear to Hope: Belizaire’s Journey to Life-Saving Diabetes Care appeared first on Hope for Haiti.