H.O.P.E. is an independent, volunteer not-for-profit organization based in Rochester, New York. Our primary purpose is to assist the people of Borgne, Haiti in attaining sustainable, equitable and just living conditions. Like most of Haiti, Borgne lives in extreme poverty by any standards. This community of almost 100,000 people lacks the most basic infrastructure and services considered commonplace to most of our world today. Health, economic and education statistics are far below any western world comparisons. H.O.P.E. has created a collaborative support network with the necessary resources to provide needed help during the transition to a more balanced and equitable future.

Since our inception in 1995 we have worked closely with the people of Borgne and the surrounding area to promote and support community development through three critical and closely related programs:

1. Health
2. Education
3. Economic Development

Our Organization…

Founded in 1995 by a small group of Haitian and U.S. citizens – H.O.P.E. today has a diverse group of volunteers and supporters representing multiple disciplines, talents, nationalities and faith communities. What all have in common is the commitment to support community development at Borgne.  Today, H.O.P.E.’s partnership with Haiti’s Ministry of Health (MSPP) operates the sole health system in this community.  This Borgne Health Alliance, named Alyans Sante Borgne (ASB) is a fully functional three-tier health network.

How We Work…
Actively engaged at the grassroots level…

We believe that the greatest good comes from sustainable improvements implemented at the grassroots level. To that purpose, we have learned to work together with diverse community leaders, peasant organizations and religious groups in Borgne to select, develop and support pragmatic programs with direct, positive impact in the community. By staying close to the ground level and maintaining political and religious neutrality, we are clearer about the community’s most pressing needs; and are also able to participate effectively in identifying and screening viable opportunities. Most importantly, this approach enables the community to foster longer term self-sufficiency and sustainable local independence.

One ongoing challenge is to adapt the knowledge, skills and resources available through H.O.P.E.’s support network to the unique conditions and circumstances of Borgne. Our success to date is a testimonial to the commitment, creativity, drive and hard work of our volunteers, and our solidarity with our counterparts in Borgne.

Together we seek those improvements and methods that provide short term impact and also show promise for the future.

Comments are closed