WASH Archives - Hope for Haiti

💸 Donation Match Now Live + Your Impact in Haiti

alexa — Thu, 15 May 2025 16:28:38 +0000

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.

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

🇭🇹Teacher Training, Accountability & Hike Updates!

alexa — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:28:51 +0000

Dear friend,

At Hope for Haiti, we’re always working to expand our impact, and we’re excited to share some updates on our latest programs that are making a real difference for families in Haiti. From education initiatives to economic development opportunities, your support is helping create lasting change.

One powerful way to get involved is by joining the Hike for Haiti! This annual event unites our global community in solidarity with Haitian students who walk miles each day to access education. Whether you hike, donate, or spread the word, you can make a difference. Stay tuned for more details below, and thank you for being part of this journey with us!

With immense gratitude,
The Team at Hope for Haiti

Harnessing the Power of Education

From March 19 to 21, teachers and directors from three of our partner schools (Presbytérale Ste Anne de Boirond, St François Xavier de Morency, and Christ-Roi de Cammy) gathered in Les Cayes for a three-day training session on classroom management.

This training provided participants with new strategies to manage their classrooms more effectively and foster a positive learning environment for students.

Thanks to Herbert and Nell Singer Foundation, participants in the training were introduced to fundamental concepts of child and adolescent psychology and explored child-friendly approaches to classroom discipline, such as positive discipline and effective communication techniques. These methods help establish a classroom climate built on trust and respect, where students learn to take responsibility for their actions and develop leadership skills for the future.

SUPPORT EDUCATION THROUGH THE HIKE FOR HAITI

Spotlight on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

An update from Yoosley Leconte, Hope for Haiti Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager:

“At Hope for Haiti, we are committed to data-driven decision-making. We truly believe that accurate, reliable data is key to ensuring our programs are accountable and create a lasting impact.

This month, our Senior MEAL Officer, Mirat Lauvenski Louis, is conducting a data validation at Dispensaire Ferme Le Blanc, Torbeck, as part of the Equity Accelerator Funding project in partnership with JSI Research & Training Institute Inc., a vaccination project implemented in two communities (Camp Perin and Torbeck) in the South Department.

The routine data quality assessment is a powerful tool to inform decisions, ensuring every dollar spent on our programs creates meaningful change.”

We Need Your Help – $1 Million is Within Our Reach!

Since the first Hike for Haiti in 2019, people from around the world have come together to raise more than $800,000 through this feel-good movement. This year, our goal is to reach the $1 million mark, and we need your help!

You can join the movement today by making a donation, creating or joining a team, registering for an in-person activation (see graphic below), or by becoming a sponsor or ambassador!

JOIN THE HIKE NOW

The post 🇭🇹Teacher Training, Accountability & Hike Updates! appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

🕯️ Illuminate by Hope for Haiti

alexa — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:38:48 +0000

Hope for Haiti’s Newsletter is Now Illuminate!

Dear Hope for Haiti Family,

In everything we do, the Hope for Haiti team strives to keep people at the center of our storytelling. After all, the people are why this work matters and who your support is affecting.

We’re excited to announce that the Hope for Haiti email newsletter is now Illuminate, named for our continuous effort to shine a light on the positive, impactful stories happening every day in Haiti. Thank you for being part of this journey with us and your commitment to helping us improve the lives of the Haitian people, particularly women and children.

A Mother Finds Hope Through Targeted Financial Support

Before becoming a beneficiary of Hope for Haiti’s Digital Cash Assistance (DCA) Program, Nadia Ogzama, a 31-year-old mother of two, experienced moments of despair. “It was hard for me to find enough to feed my children,” she shared, her voice filled with emotion. “I worried most about Richardson, my youngest, who is only 12 months old. Without proper nutrition, I feared for his health.”

Hope for Haiti Launches Diabetic Children’s Club to Empower Families

In this update, Hope for Haiti Clinic Manager Jean Herns Dede shares valuable insights and the moving cases that led to the development of our first-ever diabetes support group for children.

“…for effective and efficient care to be provided to the children, parents must be educated about the disease,” said Miss Sandina, Hope for Haiti Head Nurse.

Save the Date for the Annual Hike for Haiti!

Join us this spring as we embark on the 7th annual Hike for Haiti! Since the first hike in 2019, people from around the world have come together to raise more than $800,000 through this feel-good movement.

Hike prizes and in-person activations will be held from April – May 2025. Stay tuned for details!

The post 🕯️ Illuminate by Hope for Haiti appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

Honoring 15 Years of Resilience and Progress in Haiti

alexa — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 08:15:23 +0000

Fifteen years ago, I stood in Haiti as the earth shook beneath us, altering the course of countless lives forever. The 2010 earthquake brought unimaginable devastation—homes reduced to rubble, families torn apart, hundreds of thousands dead or injured, and communities left reeling. Yet, even in those darkest moments, I witnessed something extraordinary: the courage, strength, and determination of the Haitian people.

Several weeks after the earthquake, I found myself boarding a U.S. military flight out of Haiti. I had been working as a first responder near the quake’s epicenter in Carrefour, sleeping in a 10,000-person tent encampment alongside heroic Haitian doctors, nurses, and first responders who gave everything they had to help others. Exhausted, heartbroken, and forever changed, I sat on that plane overwhelmed by emotion and made a promise to spend the next 20 years of my life working to empower and resource local community leaders in Haiti.Serving as the CEO of Hope for Haiti has allowed me to continue to fulfill that promise in ways I could never have imagined. Before, during, and after the earthquake, Hope for Haiti’s work has remained steadfast in its mission: to provide resources and training to those shaping Haiti’s future. From entrepreneurs creating jobs and building businesses, to nurses and doctors improving health outcomes with unwavering compassion, to young scholars who embody hope—like one of our scholarship recipients who recently graduated college and is now beginning her career as a nurse, determined to serve her community—and to families striving for a brighter future for their children, we are committed to empowering and resourcing Haiti’s changemakers.

If you are following the news surrounding the 15th anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, you’ve likely seen headlines focusing on the misuse of funding, government corruption, and the current challenges in Port-au-Prince. While these issues are real, that is not the full story.

What often gets overlooked are the stories of transformation and progress happening every day. Haiti is not just its struggles, nor is it solely defined by its capital city. It is a nation of extraordinary people—economic development professionals teaching women the power of communal saving, nurses providing critical care to patients, farmers feeding their communities through innovation, and families striving for a brighter tomorrow. These stories may not make the headlines, but they are the heartbeat of Haiti’s progress and potential.

Fifteen years later, I’m reminded of three vital lessons from the earthquake that remain just as relevant today:

Empower and Resource Local Leaders: Sustainable change happens when we support leaders who know their communities best. By investing in their leadership, we create a lasting impact.
Transparency, Accountability, and Good Governance Are Non-Negotiable: The earthquake highlighted the dangers of inefficiency and the misuse of resources. All organizations working in Haiti must adhere to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and governance, ensuring every dollar is used effectively and transparently to create measurable results that are available for all to see.
Focus on Realistic and Tangible Action: Haiti’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but progress is made through realistic, actionable goals that address immediate needs while building for the future. This pragmatic approach creates ripple effects of progress where it’s needed most.

As the Haitian proverb says, “Dèyè mòn, gen mòn”—beyond the mountains, there are more mountains. The challenges are great, but so is the determination of the Haitian people and the global community committed to walking alongside them.

The earthquake 15 years ago revealed both the immense challenges Haiti faces and the incredible resilience of its people. While the country continues to confront adversity—political instability, economic hardships, and natural disasters—there are countless examples of progress driven by those who refuse to give up.

Now, more than ever, Haiti needs a global community that believes in its potential. I invite you to take action:

Donate: Support programs that empower local leaders and deliver meaningful change.
Share: Help amplify stories of progress and hope to counter negative narratives.
Advocate: Stand for accountability, equity, and sustainable solutions for Haiti’s future.

Together, we can honor the lives lost, celebrate the resilience of the Haitian people, and commit to writing the next chapter of Haiti’s story—one of hope, determination, and transformation.

With gratitude and hope,

Skyler Badenoch,

Hope for Haiti CEO

The post Honoring 15 Years of Resilience and Progress in Haiti appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

Handwashing & Poverty Eradication in Haiti

alexa — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 17:11:50 +0000

At Hope for Haiti, we believe that access to clean water and proper hygiene is a fundamental right. Each Global Handwashing Day (October 15), we are reminded of the critical role handwashing plays in keeping families healthy, particularly in rural communities around southern Haiti, where access to sanitation can be limited.

Through our Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs, we are working to ensure that children, families, and entire communities have the tools and knowledge they need to maintain proper hygiene. Last year alone, we:

Distributed 245 Sawyer in-home water filtration systems to families in partner communities and throughout the south of Haiti.
Provided hygiene and sanitation education to nearly 4,000 students and community members.
Distributed hygiene kits to families, especially in the wake of natural disasters like the 2021 earthquake.

Water Is Key to Wellness

Support our WASH Program Today

Growing for the Future: Hope for Haiti’s Garden Project

October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a day when we join the global community in reflecting on the root causes of poverty and reaffirming our commitment to a more equitable future.

In southern Haiti, many families live without basic services such as healthcare, sanitation, and clean water, which traps them in a cycle of poverty. Our programs are designed to address this connection directly, providing access to quality healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and the infrastructure that makes a healthy life possible.

Read this powerful story featured in our annual report, where community members share how Hope for Haiti’s programs have transformed their lives.

At a time when Haiti is experiencing unprecedented food insecurity, malnutrition and unrestrained deforestation, Hope for Haiti partnered with HomePlan and Acceso to support 300 farmers from three rural communities in southern Haiti. This innovative agriculture project addressed the communities’ nutritional needs and improved farmers’
incomes in the communities of Tête Source, Ravine Sable and Cammy. It consisted of providing farmers with in-person and digital technical training, and establishing 200 home gardens and 100 micro-orchards in those communities. Continue reading here.

Help Support Families In Haiti

Follow @hopeforhaiti on social media:

The post Handwashing & Poverty Eradication in Haiti appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

Our Annual Gratitude Report – Available Now!

alexa — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 15:05:31 +0000

Dear Hope for Haiti Family:

As we celebrate Hope for Haiti’s 35th anniversary, we’re filled with gratitude for the progress we’ve made through your support over the last three decades. Since JoAnne Kuehner founded this organization in 1989, we’ve remained steadfastly committed to improving the lives of the Haitian people, especially women and children, despite the challenges.

JoAnne’s vision was clear from the start: empower local communities, support Haitian leaders, and prioritize education. This approach has been the foundation of our growth, enabling us to expand into healthcare, clean water and sanitation, and economic development. Our holistic strategy has profoundly impacted the lives of many Haitian children, families, and communities.

Our work would not be possible without the unwavering support of donors like you and the dedication of our resilient team. Despite another challenging year, our team in Haiti found innovative ways to make a positive difference. Your generosity helped us provide quality education to over 6,800 Haitian schoolchildren and train 367 teachers. Our healthcare team delivered more than 128,000 medical consultations and distributed over $31 million worth of medication and medical supplies. Additionally, our clean water programs filtered more than 1.4 million gallons of drinking water, and our economic development initiatives supported thousands through digital cash transfers, agricultural projects, and village savings and loan programs.

Hope for Haiti’s commitment to transparency and accountability has earned us the highest ratings from Charity Navigator and Guidestar, reflecting our dedication to earning and maintaining your trust. YOUR support fuels our belief that positive change is always possible in Haiti.

As we look to the future, we are inspired by the strength, intelligence, and resilience of the Haitian people. Their pursuit of a better life reminds us that, while the road ahead may be challenging, together we can inspire long-term change. The spirit of Haiti is unbreakable, and so is our resolve to keep building hope and fostering positive transformation through our work.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your compassion and support enable us to keep going, no matter the obstacles. Here’s to the next 35 years of relentless commitment and meaningful impact.

Skyler Badenoch Hon. Mary E. Sommer, (Ret.)

Hope for Haiti CEO Hope for Haiti Board Chair

Read the Report

We’re bringing Celebrating Hope back to Connecticut this year and we can’t wait to see you there! Together we’ll enjoy an unforgettable evening with live music by BélO, a singer-songwriter hailed as Haiti’s musical ambassador. Plus, meet fellow Hope for Haiti friends and supporters in the beautiful courtyard venue, all in support of families in southern Haiti.

We’re proud to honor our long-time friends and supporters, Round Hill Community Church, during this year’s event, recognizing the impact their generosity has made for children and families in Haiti.

Sponsorship opportunities for Celebrating Hope are still available. Download more information here and please contact taylor@hopeforhaiti.com with any questions. Mesi anpil (Thank you)!

The post Our Annual Gratitude Report – Available Now! appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

5 Things We’re Doing to Support Communities in Haiti and How You Can Help

alexa — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:33:13 +0000

Continuing the Battle Against Cholera

Our Gift-In-Kind team recently delivered 36 cases of sodium chloride to Centre de Sante de Fonfred (one of our Healthcare partners) in Les Cayes to help treat patients with cholera.

“By working together, we are saving lives,” said Dr. Edmond Gaspar, who leads Centre de Sante de Fonfred. Our incredible partners at Americares helped make this donation possible

Installing New Mobile Libraries

Our Education team recently provided 225-book mobile libraries for students at our partner schools in Gris Gris and Tête l’Etang.

For many of these students, mobile libraries are their only access to books besides their school textbooks. Teachers at Hope for Haiti partner schools say that these mobile libraries with more character-driven, fun books to choose from help improve students’ reading skills and the practice has a positive impact on their academic performance.

Providing HIV/AIDS Treatment Training

45 of our health professionals recently participated in detailed training about HIV/AIDS, including updates to the national treatment protocol, led by Dr. Socrates from the Haitian Ministry of Public Health (MSPP). Our teams regularly participate in educational sessions like this one to stay up-to-date on the latest advances in care to better serve the communities we work in.

Thank you to Gilead Sciences for supporting our work to educate, protect against, and treat HIV/AIDS in Haiti.

Public Health Activities in Marre à Coiffe

Members of our Public Health and WASH teams made the 10.5-mile trek to the summit of Marre à Coiffe this week to distribute deworming medication to the school children and host an in-depth handwashing lesson to improve the students’ personal hygiene and help prevent illness.

Intestinal worms can eat up to 20% of a child’s food intake (according to the World Health Organization), so prevention and treatment are vital in ensuring the students are getting as much nutrition as possible from their meals.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Training

We’ve done the research and seen the results: investing in smart Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs reduces poverty. Last week, WASH Nurse Miss Jasmine led a discussion and demonstration about hygiene and sanitation at one of our partner schools, located in Boisrond, Haiti.

How You Can Help

Make a Donation

Hope for Haiti’s mission is driven by the fundamental belief that there is always a pathway to a better life in Haiti, despite the numerous challenges that exist. Your gift helps support our integrated model for development, which has been proven to reduce poverty by working with community leaders in rural areas in four key program areas: education, healthcare, access to clean water, and economic development. Join us today!

2. Attend Our Events

This October, join us in New York City as we celebrate the impact your support has made through our programs and fundraise to continue this life-changing work. Celebrating Hope will be held on October 27 in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Tickets and additional details will be available soon.

Plus, mark your calendar for our annual gala in Naples, Florida, which will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024. More information coming soon. We hope to see you there! Find Upcoming Event updates here.

3. Support Hope for Haiti Online

You can help support our work by following Hope for Haiti’s social media accounts (linked below) and liking or sharing your favorite updates. Plus, it’s easy to start a fundraiser for Hope for Haiti directly through Facebook or Instagram! You can also wear your support by shopping our branded merchandise here.

Follow Hope for Haiti on social media for more updates!

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok

The post 5 Things We’re Doing to Support Communities in Haiti and How You Can Help appeared first on Hope for Haiti.

Haitian Ag Day, Immunization Week & More!

alexa — Wed, 03 May 2023 14:39:40 +0000

Dear Hope for Haiti Family,

Our team has been very busy delivering educational programming, training sessions, valuable gift-in-kind donations, and more with your support. As we kick off Haitian Heritage Month this May, we would like to express our deepest thanks for your support of Hope for Haiti.

Started in 2001 as an extension of Haitian Flag Day (on May 18), this month-long event celebrates Haitian history, culture, and pride. We’re proud to have 145 Haitian doctors, nurses, program leads, and other full-time Haitian team members who serve as key leaders and call Les Cayes home.

It’s with the help of their resilience and dedication that our organization continues its mission to improve the quality of life for the Haitian people, particularly women and children.

Read on for our latest program updates:

Celebrating Haitian Agriculture & Labor Day

May 1 was Agriculture and Labor Day (often called Ag Day) in Haiti, a national holiday celebrating the fruits of agriculture and labor. We’re proud to support interactive school gardens that teach students about improved agricultural techniques, reforestation, and nutrition; as well as small farm owners and community micro-orchards through our Economic Development program. This year’s theme was: Annou mete tèt nou ansanm pou nou devlope agrikilti ak pwoteje anviwónman nou. Translation: Let’s get together to develop agriculture and protect our environment.

In honor of Ag Day on Monday, our team planted a portion of the 3,000 tree seedlings that were recently gifted to Hope for Haiti to commemorate Sloane Stephens’ 30th birthday and support our important reforestation efforts in southern Haiti. 200 of the seedlings were also planted in Marre a Coiffe last week during our team’s Hike for Haiti. Follow us on social media to see more photos of Monday’s planting soon!

Hygiene Kit Distribution

Our Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) team collaborated with Fondation Tous Ensemble – Rehabilitation center(FONTEN) to provide handwashing training and distribute hygiene kits for parents and children with disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), simply washing our hands with soap is one of our most effective tools in fighting and stopping the spread of illnesses, making training sessions like this of the utmost importance.

Support our WASH Program

World Malaria Day

Our team visited our partner community of Morency on April 25 to provide prevention lessons and distribute mosquito nets in recognition of World Malaria Day. Our team was able to secure 1,000 mosquito nets from MSPP (Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population) to provide during the training. Students also received hygiene kits, courtesy of our Gift In-Kind partner, cmmb.

World Immunization Week

April 24-30 is recognized globally as World Immunization Week, with the ultimate goal being to protect more people from diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. So far in 2023, our team has distributed close to 3,000 vaccines, including pediatric vaccinations for our youngest beneficiaries.

Support Healthcare

Technology & Foreign Aid

Hope for Haiti CEO Skyler Badenoch joined our partners Coinbase and Umoja Labs in Washington DC recently for a hands-on learning event. The purpose was to demonstrate how cryptocurrency and blockchain technology can be used to deliver foreign aid. Through our pilot program with Coinbase, Umoja, and the Celo Foundation, we provided 300 mothers in Haiti with digital cash assistance to help support their families this past year.

Save the Date: NYC Celebration

This fall, join us once again in New York City as we celebrate the impact your support has made through our programs and continue this important work.

This year’s event will be on Friday, October 27, in Brooklyn, NYC. More details will be coming soon! We hope to see you there.

The post Haitian Ag Day, Immunization Week & More! appeared first on Hope for Haiti.