Hope for Haiti
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (May 2013) |
| File:Hope for Haiti's Logo.jpg | |
| Founded | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Founder | JoAnne Kuehner |
| Type | NGO |
| Location |
|
Area served | Haiti |
| Website | hopeforhaiti |
Hope for Haiti is a nonprofit organization based in Naples, Florida and founded in 1990 by JoAnne Kuehner. The mission of the organization is to improve the quality of life for the Haitian people, particularly children, through education, nutrition, and healthcare.[1] In addition, Hope for Haiti has an emergency relief component and has responded to several natural disasters since its founding.
Programs
Education
Hope for Haiti considers education to be the keystone to sustainable development. By supporting, strengthening, and expanding the resources of existing schools, Hope for Haiti provides children with the tools they need to create their own future.
Healthcare & Nutrition
Hope for Haiti works to improve the overall health of their partner communities with the patient at the center of this process through: distributing medications and supplies to rural partner facilities throughout the South and providing school-based public health outreach to students and their communities, providing Haitian medical professionals advanced medical training from international specialists to provide greater quality of service and educational resources to their local community, and treatment & follow-up care provided at Hope for Haiti's Infirmary, where patients receive low-cost, quality primary, laboratory, dental, surgical, and wound care.
Clean Water
Through Hope for Haiti’s Clean Water Program, the organization installs and maintains solar-powered Ultraviolet (U.V.) water purification systems and wells in community-accessible locations. Each clean water site is closely monitored and tested monthly by Hope for Haiti’s Haitian water technician. In conjunction with Hope for Haiti’s school-based Public Health Program, trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) educate over 2,400 students and their families on the importance of clean water, sanitation and hygiene. This approach ensures the development of healthy habits at the youngest age.
Economy
Hope for Haiti’s partnerships (like with Yunus Social Business S.A. (YSB Haiti) and the Dalio Foundation) promote economic sustainability and promote and develop social businesses in rural communities with the goal of creating long-lasting sustainability for school operations.
Infrastructure
In many Haitian communities, there are huge demands for school and community infrastructure improvement projects. During the past 5 years, Hope for Haiti is proud to have helped address many of these issues in several of their partner communities. Along with the support of local and international partners and donors, Hope for Haiti has been able to engage construction experts to provide children and their families with efficient, safe and beautiful spaces to live, work, learn and play.
2010 Haiti earthquake
Within 24 hours of the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Hope for Haiti responded with emergency relief buckets and the distribution of medical supplies. They have since[when?] airlifted thousands of pounds of medicines, supplies, construction materials, food and water and safely distributed them to the survivors.[citation needed] Their field staff were involved in organizing a trauma center at the hotel Villa Creole and at "L'Hôpital Général" in Port-au-Prince.[2][3]
Hope for Haiti sent over $20 million in supplies to Haiti in the first four weeks following the quake[citation needed]. The delivery of medicines and equipment is a part of their on-going mission. They have received support from the Southwest Florida and international communities both monetarily and through hundreds of volunteer hours.[4]
Hope for Haiti sent over a thousand pairs of counterfeit shoes to the people of Haiti. Criminal law attorney Peter Aiken said his client, former gas station owner Hathum Ayesh, who had been arrested for selling counterfeit shoes, wanted the shoes to go to a good cause instead of being destroyed. Nike provided a letter releasing the use of the shoes and Hope for Haiti guaranteed the shoes' delivery to Haiti.[5]
References
- ^ "About Us - Overview". Naples, Florida: Hope for Haiti. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
- ^ Albers, David (January 17, 2010). "Hope for Haiti doctor: 'This is as chaotic as it could be'". NaplesNews.com. Naples, Florida: E.W. Scripps Co. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
- ^ Albers, David (January 18, 2010). "Naples organization continues to bring Hope for Haiti". NaplesNews.com. Naples, Florida: E.W. Scripps Co. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
- ^ Organ, Phil (February 1, 2010). "Naples doctor shares his experience helping earthquake victims in Haiti". NaplesNews.com. Naples, Florida: E.W. Scripps Co. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
- ^ "A step up: 1,200 pairs of confiscated counterfeit Nike shoes headed to Haiti". NaplesNews.com. Naples, Florida: E.W. Scripps Co. January 29, 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-20.