2024 Annual Impact Report

—Chalmers Center

“Development is not done to people or for people

but with people.”

Haiti H2O: Hope to Opportunity invests in Haitian-led solutions for remote villages through construction, agriculture, healthcare, and micro-business projects.

A message from our Executive Director

When I joined Haiti H2O several years ago, I envisioned many trips to the beautiful Haitian countryside and time spent with our partners. However, after just one visit in 2018, my plans were “overtaken by events.” Thankfully, Haiti H2O has a strong staff and partner network that has carried on the work during this time when we have not been able to visit in person. And I marvel at their tenacity!

Thanks to our donors, our staff in Haiti has been able to grow again this past year. We hired a young man from our network who is helping Jules and Jeanne to coordinate logistics on building projects as well as transportation for our Mobile Medical Team. And we have another young man helping Max and Jeanne with coordinating the Mobile Medical Clinics.

With regards to the mobile clinics, Dr. Sony just sent me this message after seeing 150 patients (in one day!) at the Bassin Caiman clinic:

“Because of our country’s political situation, the remote areas are overflowing with people, which is giving rise to more illnesses. Due to this, the medical clinics are turning out to be truly indispensable.”

I am grateful for the diligent work of our staff and partners in Haiti. I celebrate with them the improvements that local leaders are making to the everyday lives of people living in the four remote communities where we partner. And I join them in thanking our generous donors who have not forgotten them, so that these projects and programs are still possible.

I look forward to a time when we can work, eat, talk and pray together again in person.
But as they say in Haiti, “Si Dye vle (God willing).”

Until then, we continue to partner from a distance to equip Haitians helping Haitians.

—Rhonda N. Smith, Executive Director

Construction

The village of St. Martin completed another home for one of their community members. Brother Jouvens and his family are now provided with a safe and secure place to live. This home represents more than just shelter—it is a foundation for stability, dignity, and opportunity. The construction engaged local workers and reinforced the community’s ability to build and sustain itself.

Many Hands Home Construction Project

Repairs continue on the school in Bassin Caiman, ensuring that it remains a vital resource for the 124 students across the three villages it serves. The work includes structural reinforcements and improving classroom facilities to create a safer and more conducive learning environment. These efforts not only benefit current students, but also secure educational opportunities for future generations.

Thank you for supporting essential infrastructure!

Blok Sanitaire in St. Martin

School repairs in Bassin Caiman

The new school bathrooms in St. Martin are now fully operational! The completion of this project significantly improves hygiene for the 200 students who attend. The Blok Sanitaire provides a cleaner and healthier learning environment, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and promoting better sanitation habits. Access to proper restrooms also ensures that students, especially girls, can attend school more comfortably and consistently, fostering a more inclusive educational setting.

Agriculture

The ongoing turmoil in Haiti has made life even more challenging in rural villages like Plain Matin, where skyrocketing food prices and restricted supply routes have put added strain on families. In response, our partners took action to strengthen food security. After a visit from a staff member to discuss community needs and available resources, Plain Matin residents devised a plan to start a community garden where they could share tools and knowledge to grow yams as supplemental food and for market sales. That small garden quickly grew into a full-fledged farm, with 1,000 yam plants that offer a sustainable food source for the area. As yams take 6–12 months to mature, most farmers harvest around the nine-month mark, putting Plain Matin’s first major harvest on track for early summer 2025. This initiative is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the community, as they work to feed their families and strengthen their local economy. Learn more in the video below.

Plain Matin
Community Yam Farm

We have been working with our friends at Partners in Progress to collaborate and launch a hands-on farmer training program in Bassin Caiman, designed to equip local farmers with techniques in agroforestry. The technique requires a mix of trees and crops that help the soil retain moisture and nutrients. This also helps the land recover from years of deforestation.

Unfortunately, due to gang violence and roadblocks, in-person training has been postponed. We are actively working to get the equipment necessary to allow for virtual training, allowing the farmers to receive essential knowledge and skills remotely. This effort will ensure that the training moves forward in 2025, helping Bassin Caiman care for their villagers through extra food sources.

Farmer Training

Thank you for supporting local and accessible food sources!

Healthcare

Haiti H2O’s mobile medical clinics continue to provide essential healthcare to three of our partner villages, addressing the needs of these underserved areas. In 2024, Haiti H2O’s Haitian Medical Team, led by Dr. Sony, traveled to all three villages quarterly, caring for nearly 1,500 patients across 12 clinics. These clinics offer crucial services such as primary care, prenatal and well-child check-ups, and medications to treat acute and chronic illnesses. By bringing healthcare directly to the people in need, our partners are reducing preventable diseases and improving overall health. See more about these clinics in the video below.

Consistent Healthcare

Thank you for supporting healthy lives!

Micro-business

The bakery in Plain Matin continues to do well. It employs five bakers, creating local job opportunities and fostering economic stability within the community while ensuring access to affordable, locally produced food. Freshly baked bread is also purchased by women and sold at nearby markets to support their families. To improve efficiency, plans are underway to install lighting in the bakery, allowing bakers to start work earlier, before the heat of the day sets in, increasing production capacity. Additionally, the bakery serves as a hub for skill development, training new bakers in bread-making techniques, and expanding economic opportunities for the community.

Bakery in Plain Matin

Thank you for supporting Haitian-led businesses!

Thenora’s Achievement

In 2023, Haiti H2O provided scholarships to seven students pursuing specific vocations. One of them is Thenora, a promising nursing student, who has completed enough coursework to begin hands-on training. Her journey represents a significant milestone, not only for her personal achievement, but also for the community she will serve. With her education, she will provide critical healthcare support in remote areas, helping to bridge the gap in accessing medical help.

Thank you for supporting educational opportunities!

Haiti H2O remains steadfast in its mission to support Haitian-led initiatives that empower Haitians to help Haitians by fostering self-sufficiency, resilience, and sustainable growth. By maintaining relationships with local leaders and communities, we support and encourage the lasting changes they are making. Your continued partnership enables these vital projects to thrive, bringing opportunity and tangible improvements to the lives of many.