Why Haiti?

HomeWhy Haiti?

WHY HAITI?

The need for help in Haiti is great.

Haiti Health Initiative Photography (Chalk Drawing) - Why Haiti?

“Different color, 1 people. Love, Timo”

While Haiti is one of the countries in the world receiving extensive economic assistance, it has been recently classified as the poorest nation in the world with an estimated 80% of its citizens living below the poverty level. This extreme poverty rate leads to many challenges for citizens of Haiti. When compared with a United States citizen, the average Haitian is 4.5 times as likely to be unemployed, is half as likely to be able to read, lives 16 years fewer, and is more than 15 times more likely to die before the age of 5.

Adding to this crisis are the alarming statistics that in Haiti, one doctor serves 4000 people (compared with one doctor serving 375 people in the USA) and one dentist serves 33,000 people (compared with 2000 people in the USA).

The aim of Haiti Health Initiative is to improve the overall health and well-being of rural Haitians, one community at a time. We seek to accomplish this through providing education and services in primary health care, dental care, public health, and nutrition within each community at risk.

The aforementioned programs, of course, require funding. In addition to asking the members of HHI to volunteer their time, HHI members are asked to raise funds within their personal circles of influence. HHI also seeks private and government grants that are in keeping with the principles and goals of HHI. Finally, HHI accepts donations from interested contributors. The funds raised are used to buy medical and dental supplies, hygiene kits, and construction materials. All of these supplies and materials are used to provide for the overall health of rural Haitians.

our projects

Why haiti? / Projects

Haiti Health Initiative Volunteer Blood Pressure - Narratives

Why Haiti? / Narratives

James Barnhill, MS

“The villagers in the area that we worked with were very friendly and kind. I was impressed with their desire to help and their willingness to serve each other. It is easy to develop a fondness for the people. . . . They are eager to learn and listen closely to the instructions that you provide.”

Matthew Cheney, DMD, MAGD

“It was wonderful to be able to rub shoulders with other health care professionals who care so much about helping others, and who give so freely of their talents and abilities. HHI is a great program with a vision that doesn’t merely give out dental and medical care to the people of Haiti, but helps to educate and train them so they can one day be self-reliant.”

Scott Larsen, Landscaping & Excavation

“For me, the most inspiring part of this project was to see members of the community sacrifice some of their personal needs for the needs of the entire community. I watched leaders take responsibility for a community project. There is a desire that is growing among the people to work together to improve the community as well as gain confidence in their own abilities. This confidence and initiative will, I think, be the greatest result of our efforts in Haiti.”

Jeri Cheney, BS in dietetics

“It was fun for me to witness the excitement of the women when the spring water was piped to their area and they were able to turn on the faucet. Improvements such as these bring hope to the people of Timo and will hopefully encourage them to continue to improve their own conditions.”

Bradley W. Richards

“Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this trip for me was the excellent foundation HHI has made in involving the local community members with decision making and support for the medical teams. . . . When a local community is empowered and educated, they can make tremendous progress in resolving the underlying causes of local health problems, far exceeding the limited impact we can make in a single week of medical treatment.”

News & Media

Why haiti? / News & Media

HHI has been featured in a variety of news outlets. Click the button below to see articles and interviews that provide an inside look at HHI’s mission and history of accomplishments.

Haiti Health Initiative Photography (Brother and Sister) - Why Haiti

Contact Us

For general questions, concerns, or comments, use the form below to contact a member of HHI, who will assist you.

Haiti Health Initiative aims to improve the overall health and well being of rural Haitians, one community at a time. We seek to accomplish this through providing education and services in primary health care, dental care, public health, and nutrition within each community at risk.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have questions about Haiti Health Initiative, contact Marc-Aurel Martial at [email protected] or at 801-830-3043.

If you are interested to join us in Haiti, click here for more information.

ORGANIZATION

If you would like to know more about Haiti Health Initiative as a Non-Profit Organization and registered Non-Governmental Organization, you can review the organizing documents by clicking here.

LARGE DONATION

If you would like to make a donation to HHI exceeding $1000, you can either send a check to 1761 Gold River Drive, Orem, UT 84057, or pay by credit or debit card by clicking here.

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