HAPI

Helping Haitians rise through innovation, collaboration, learning, and leadership. Guiding principles & core beliefs:
1. Everyone has something to contribute
8.

Women and girls in Haiti suffer the threat of violence, endure grinding poverty, die from inadequate healthcare, and confront overwhelming odds to achieve higher education and earn a living wage. At HAPI, women and girls have access to health services, vocational training, and youth programs to empower them to build a healthy, robust foundation from which they can lift themselves out of poverty. Develop local leaders who will lead and manage with integrity and creativity to arrive at sustainable solutions for growth for their country.
2. Economic empowerment of women is a key strategy in accomplishing our goals.
3. A healthy economic and social community must be built upon a moral and spiritual foundation.
4. Haiti will benefit from decentralization of resources and the development of rural areas with businesses, education and health services which reduce emigration, particularly of young adults.
5. A strong Haiti must include greater education, social and economic opportunities for women.
6. Equality of relationships (gender, class, cross-cultural) must be restored in order to achieve a healthy, prosperous community.
7. Alleviating poverty is not about filling an empty plate: it is about increasing confidence, education, spirituality, creativity, learning how to resolve conflict, and respect.
9. Do not do for someone what they can do for themselves. Charity that goes beyond short-term relief enables generational
poverty; focus on justice and empowerment to help people 'thrive' not only 'survive.'
10. External 'help' cannot care more about the program or change than the persons directly impacted or the change will not be sustained. It's not about 'us'!

11/14/2025

Every day at HAPI, hands like these keep hope alive. Hands that deliver babies, listen to heartbeats, clean our spaces, protect our doors, give care and welcome every patient, These are the hands that serve. This , let's keep them moving.
Share your gift through this link: https://bit.ly/4hEF0LN

11/12/2025

Sustaining Hope, Keeping Futures Bright

My name is Fernande Cezil. I’m 31 years old, I live in Dade, and I work as a merchant. On October 27, during Hurricane Melissa, I gave birth to my second child — a baby boy — at Felisane Health Center. I also gave birth to my first child there, a little girl who will soon be two years old.

Before my first pregnancy, I used to hear a lot of bad stories about nurses. One of my sisters had a terrible experience while giving birth — she said she was in so much pain that she kept moving, and the nurses were rough with her and spoke to her harshly. Hearing that really scared me. I was afraid that when my time came, I would not only suffer from the pain but also from how I might be treated.

But my experience at Felisane Health Center was completely different. I was part of the Start Right program, and when it was time for me to deliver, the nurses took great care of me. They were patient, kind, and respectful. They protected me and made me feel safe. If they hadn’t treated me that well, I would have never come back to give birth to my second baby there.

On Monday, October 27, even though the weather was bad, I woke up early, took a bath, and went to the center for my routine check-up. I felt fine — no pain or discomfort. After the exam, Nurse Lafortune told me the baby was ready to come and asked me to walk a little.

That day, five women gave birth at the same time, and there wasn’t enough space for everyone. As soon as one woman finished delivering, she had to move to make space for the next. There weren’t enough beds, and things had to move quickly. The weather made it even more stressful — the main road to Jacmel was completely cut off, so if there had been complications, we wouldn’t have been able to reach the hospital in town. Thankfully, everything went well for me and the other mothers that day.

One thing I always notice is how clean the Felisane Health Center is. You can tell the staff really care and take cleanliness seriously.

I’m proud to have such a clinic in my community. It helps me, my family, and my children. I always speak positively about the nurses there. When people say bad things about nurses, I defend them — because I’ve seen that many of them truly love their work and treat people with compassion. I tell everyone to visit Felisane Health Center and see for themselves.

If I could wish for one thing, it would be to have more rooms and more nurses to support pregnant women. If we have these caring nurses, and our clinic is still working, it is because of your gift. Please help us keep this work going by donating for This GivingTuesday, through this link: https://bit.ly/4hEF0LN

11/11/2025

Your gift sustains life-saving care today.

This patient comes from a long distance to reach the Felisane Health Center to get checkup done. Behind every visit like this are the unseen costs that make healing possible: fuel, power for our clinic, salaries for our dedicated staff like Dr. Herby. This GivingTuesday, December 2, 2025, your generosity keeps those doors open for patients who come from near and far.
Donate here: https://bit.ly/4hEF0LN

11/04/2025

GivingTuesday is December 2, 2025 — and this year, we invite you to join our campaign “Sustaining Hope, Keeping Futures Bright” to keep life thriving in Mizak.

Grants often fund specific projects. But your undesignated gift keeps the lights on, the clinic open, and hope alive.
Your gift sustains four pillars of impact:
• Health: 13,000+ annual patient visits continue without interruption
• Education: 100+ HAPITech students learn computers, English, or ceramic tiling in a safe space
• Acute needs: timely response to emergent needs
• Livelihoods: 30+ youth entrepreneurs grow micro rabbit-breeding businesses that support their dreams of education and improve household food security

Help us meet our $15,000 GivingTuesday goal — and our $35,000 year-end goal. Give Where Most Needed: https://bit.ly/4hEF0LN

10/30/2025

Getting children vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect them from serious diseases.
A healthy child means a stronger family, and also a stronger future for Haiti

10/21/2025

My name is Gisna Durantin. I live in Mizak. I am a member of HAPI's Start Right program and I am expecting my second child.

One of the hardest moments in my life was when I was pregnant with my first child. At that time, I was still in school and too afraid to tell my family about the pregnancy. I suffered in silence. The baby’s father did not have the means to help, and I kept worrying about what my future would look like.

One day, a woman in my neighborhood told me about the Felisane Health Center. I decided to follow her advice and visit. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed and received excellent care. I left feeling supported and hopeful again.

During my first pregnancy, I was not yet part of the Start Right program, so I missed out on the education sessions. There were many things I simply did not know. Now, being pregnant for the second time, I am learning so much through Start Right—especially about how stress and even talking too much can affect the baby’s health. I never realized how deeply a mother’s emotions and habits could impact her unborn child.

I gave birth to my first baby here at the Felisane Health Center, and I have complete trust in the team for my second delivery. I know I am in good hands.

If there is one thing I could wish for, it would be to see the center grow—more rooms, more staff to assist pregnant women, and more equipment for services like ultrasound. Expanding the center would help many more women like me receive the care they need.

10/20/2025

On October 18, we visited four HAPIgro mentors along with the program participants. The goal of these visits was to build connections between the beneficiaries and local entrepreneurs so they could learn directly from the experience of others in the same field.

The mentors are :
Oxygène Thevenin, Sonia Ladouceur, Yvon Noël and Andrenord Noël

All four have years of experience in rabbit breeding and were proud to share their journey. They explained how raising rabbits has allowed them to earn money, support their families, pay for their children’s education, and improve their lives.

Each mentor took time to thank HAPI for launching such a meaningful project that teaches young people how to start their own businesses and contribute to their communities.

They also gave practical demonstrations—showing the youth how to feed and care for rabbits properly—and encouraged them to keep growing. With dedication and patience, they reminded the participants, this small start could one day lead to owning goats, cows, and even larger farms.

10/15/2025

My name is Widneau Annee, I am 31 years old, and I come from a very remote area called Policienne. To make a living, I produce and sell charcoal.

Today, I left my home at three o’clock in the morning to come to the Felisane Health Center for a dental follow-up. Because of the rain, the road was extremely slippery, and I could not take a motorcycle. I walked for nearly five hours before finally arriving at eight o’clock.

I first learned about the Felisane Health Center when I accompanied a pregnant friend here to give birth. While I was waiting, I asked for information about the services offered, and when I heard that they provided dental care, I decided to come back for myself.

Even though I live far away, Felisane is still the closest and most accessible health center for me. There are no dental clinics in my area, and reaching other cities would take even longer.

Coming to here turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. The dentist does excellent work and treats patients with care and respect. This is where I always come for my dental needs.

If I could make one suggestion, it would be to have more staff members available. I came today with a friend from my community who also needed care, but unfortunately, he was not able to be seen due to the limited place. Still, I am deeply grateful for the services provided here and hope they perpetuate.

10/13/2025

Today we had the first meeting of the month with the pregnant women in our Start Right program. It was a full day of care and learning — consultations, medical tests, and echographies. Nurse Florence led a rich education session on hypertension, stress, and the importance of healthy eating during pregnancy.

10/05/2025

Exciting news from our Computer Literacy class! We received eight brand new laptops — seven for our students to sharpen their digital skills, and one special laptop that will be awarded to the top-performing student at the end of the year.

These laptops were generously donated by The Haiti Engagement Project (HEP) of the Rotary e-Club of Engagement, District 6110, founded by Rotarian Charles Adams and The Hope Foundation.

We’re happy to keep providing knowledge and opportunities to our community.

09/27/2025

A quick recap of our monthly visits to people with disabilities.

Address

P. O. Box 68227
Grand Rapids, MI
49503

Telephone

+16164469558

Website

http://www.haitianassets.org/

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