Mid-Year Update: Stories of Courage from For You Haiti
What an extraordinary first half of the year it has been. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, our patients have been able to travel every single week for specialist appointments and life-changing surgeries.
Our teams in both Port-au-Prince and La Gonâve continue to work tirelessly, navigating dangerous roads and unpredictable conditions to make sure every child receives the care they deserve.
A Day in the Life
We want to share a glimpse into “A Day in the Life” of our Operations Manager in Port-au-Prince, a reminder of the courage and commitment behind every successful surgery:
“I was taking patient Joseline and her mom to Carrefour (in Port-au-Prince) last week for her surgery. We amazingly arrived at the hospital safely, and she had her appointment with the anaesthesiologist. They cleared her for surgery.
Then the next day, I boarded a bus to leave the hospital and head home. When I reached downtown, days of heavy rain had turned the streets into rivers. The bus stalled in deep, filthy water and mud filled with trash, dead animals, and dead bodies. I was the last passenger on board — I just couldn’t bring myself to step into the water, which by then was up to my knees. I had to pay someone willing to carry me across.
When we reached the other side, we couldn’t go any farther because of ongoing gunfire, so I had to go back through the water and return to Carrefour for the night. The vehicle I took then broke down in Martissant. I couldn’t believe it. I eventually hired a motorcycle to reach the hospital.
I spent the night there, hoping to travel home the next day, but gang activity made it impossible. After a third extra night in the hospital, I finally left Carrefour at 4:30 a.m. and made it home safely.
What a week! But if it means giving a patient a healthy future, I would do it all again.”
New & Exciting Updates: Summer Vacation Club
We’re getting ready to open our Vacation program this week — a summer program for students who have fallen behind due to long recoveries after surgeries or instability at home.
We’re combining school support with fun activities, ending with a beach day. Stay tuned for updates. You’ll see many familiar faces, and the kids are already excited.
Our Most Pressing Need
Our classroom for students with additional needs is at risk of closing. To keep our doors open for the entire upcoming academic year, we need $20,000 USD.
Our teaching staff is exceptional, trained in Port-au-Prince and deeply committed. They are part of the For You Haiti family.
If you can host a fundraiser, spread the word, or contribute any amount, we would be profoundly grateful. We’ve started a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, and you’re welcome to join in.
—> Support the Special Needs Classroom for 2027 Here <—
Our Guest House in Port-au-Prince
We’re thrilled to share that our new guest house in Port-au-Prince has opened. This space will support the steady flow of patients traveling for surgical care, giving them a safe and welcoming place to stay before and after their surgeries. We’re committed to making it a home where patients and their families feel cared for during their medical journeys.
We’ll also continue operating our surgical house on La Gonâve for patients who have been discharged and require follow-up medical attention.
By providing these dedicated spaces for patients and their parents, our goal is to ensure every child is healthy and prepared for surgery, while reducing the risk of post-operative infection.
A heartfelt thank-you to The Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Foundation for your extraordinary support this year. Your generosity made this milestone possible for For You Haiti.
Stay Connected
Jerry, our Patient/Child Sponsorship Liaison Officer, shares weekly updates on our Seed Facebook page, including posts about our sponsored children. Check in often for new photos and updates, and if you ever want a specific update, don’t hesitate to leave him a comment.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Alana Kaye & the For You Haiti Team 💙
Founder & CEO