What are you really dreaming of this Christmas?

If we take a minute pause and really put some thought into this question it will be interesting how our answers will vary and yet for the most part have the same outcome. Well, at least I think so…..The question is not what do I “want” this Christmas it is what am I dreaming of?

For me personally I am dreaming of being in Haiti over the Christmas and New Year Holiday. Celebrating in Haiti over the past several years has been the norm for Stac & I and sometimes many of you. Spending Christmas and Haitian Independence Day with the children at House of Hope and our entire community has become abit of a tradition.

To be a part of the unique, and meaningful celebration is one to cherish. Surrounded with folks who live each day rooted in their faith and dreaming for a brighter tomorrow. During the Holiday celebration in Haiti you are immersed in an environment dripping in pride and sense of restored hope. Families, friends and neighbors celebrating together.

In todays world we continue to celebrate the Holidays together although a sea apart. The committed folks who have stayed the course with us I appreciate you for hanging in there as we navigate the current state of affairs in our beloved Haiti. To our friends, sponsors, advocates, all of you who have come alongside us and believed in our purpose at PHoH however you found us we are extremely grateful.

At PHoH we made a commitment over ten years ago to a small community of folks to do our best to help provide resources, guidance, faith and love. Fast forward, this community is now family. Just as you want the best for your family we want the best for ours. Nothing to fancy, basic resources are a blessing!

Without you we would not be able to continue to provide these life changing opportunities, and resources. One of them, providing a fun Christmas party and celebration where the kids can be kids and cherish the meaning of Christmas. We hope you all join us as we kick off our Holiday Campaign together turning dreams into reality for the children at House of Hope.

There are many ways you can help! (See below) please give if you are able, share with others how they can get involved to help us help them. Please continue to keep the children at House of Hope and all of Haiti in your prayers. Ordinary folks doing extra ordinary things!

*Digging a Well at Hope 12:21 estimated cost $9758

A well will provide a constant water resource for the children and their caregivers. Community water has not been available to us for the past 11 months causing many problems, having to go outside the community is a burden and a difficult process. in addition adding approximately $250-$300 per month to our operating cost.

*Become a Sponsor or a Buddy for a child at Hope 12:21 $25 or $40 per month automatic gift, $300, $480 per year.

This is a very vital and important component to ensuring the daily needs of the children are met. If you are already a monthly donor please consider suggesting this opportunity to a friend. The kids love knowing there are families in the US who love care about them.

*Christmas Party and Celebration $1500

Providing all the goodies and gifts for the children and their caregivers!

*Goats to Hope $150

Purchase a goat for a deserving family in Haiti in honor or memory of loved one this Christmas. A unique gift that will bring joy to both the giver and the receiver.

We hope you have a peaceful and joyous Holiday Season!

Blessings from all of us at project House of Hope!

Project House of Hope 2023 Update

To our Sponsors and Community,

If you’re wondering what we have been up to lately, we have plenty of news. With great pleasure we share our dear friend and Co Founder Kesnel was married last week to a wonderful, supportive, caring and beautiful lady Charline. Please join us as we celebrate their journey together as husband and wife. Pray for God’s blessing upon them. The beautiful celebration was a time for all to gather and witness this beautiful occasion, even in the midst of uncertainty and despair within Haiti. The two of them together represent what love, respect, and hope brings to a marriage and a promise for a bright tomorrow. The House of Hope family welcomes you “Mo Mo” we love you!

The children at Hope 12:21

The children are in the midst of finishing up their exams, and are preparing for the school year to come to an end. We are confident the kids will all pass, even with the obstacles that faced them daily this school year.

To name just a few:

• Late start (January) due to the civil unrest

• Constant fear of Gang violence and retaliation amongst locals over land disputes.

• Water shortage no “local water” for the past 8 months

• Prices of goods and services increase and lack of basic items available causing an already desperate situation to get even worse.

  Summer is upon them and we pray it is a safe and enjoyable one.

A Brighter Tomorrow is ahead!

Even within the midst of this chaos our family and many of our Haitian brothers and sisters prevail and stay steadfast deep within their culture to remain faithful, loyal and dedicated to each other. We are grateful to our family, and staff in Haiti for their loyalty, and dedication to the kids and all we serve in Haiti.

Without you our “constant”…… our amazing group of folks in the US who care deeply about our life’s work, purpose, and mission at Project House of Hope.

Staying faithful and loving deeply from afar hoping one day soon Haiti will once again open her arms lovingly to us as we celebrate and honor a country we hold near and dear to our hearts.

On the Horizon in Haiti

This summer the children will celebrate the end of school with a small party and shopping trip to buy supplies and clothes. A real treat for them as most of their time is spent at home.

PHoH has plans in the works for our summer annual Camp Get Out and Play in Haiti. A fun time for the kids at HoH, their classmates, and community friends to attend. Haitian lead with a safe environment to and enjoy games, activities, fun, food and creative workshops for all ages.

School will be back in session before you know it and we have plans in place to ensure the children are prepared and ready!

On the Horizon in The United States

Summer and Fall 2023 is chuck full of exciting events promoting the vital work we do in Haiti, celebrating the reliance of our family and friends as they navigate this trying time. We are also doing our best to share real time updates on the current state of affairs, and how you can continue to help support in whatever manner suits you, being a part of our HoH family.

If you would like to use your gifts and talents to “help us help them” we humbly ask you to contact us. There are many different and fun ways to support, raise funds and awareness, and continue to show others we are dedicated to our mission and work in Haiti. We are definitely better together!

Not being able to travel safely to Haiti has been hard on us as we love many Haitians as family and dear friends.

Stay informed and follow us on fb and IG as we share what we are up to and how you can get involved in our mission to love, support and continually learn from afar.

We hope to see you in a town near you soon.

With gratitude,

Amy Fletcher and the entire House of Hope family.

Celebrate 10 years of "If it weren't for them"

Stick with me folks… Its worth it!

January 13th 2013, First solo trip to Haiti, my mission…… to meet and spend time with the children at House of Hope. A small children’s home where 15 children lived with their care givers nestled behind the local Church.

The Church did their best to care for the children, yet the children were lacking in most basic human necessities. . . August 2012: Kesnel Toussaint (dear friend and Co Founder at Project House of Hope) realized the children were not living a quality life and wanted to assist the Church in caring for their needs. Kesnel shared their story with me and the next thing you know myself, family and friends are collectively raising funds to send and help pay for rice and beans.

I REALLY wanted to meet the children, so after talking with Stacey. My trip was planned for January 12, 2013. What was to happen next is a “Journey of Hope”

This critical and monumental day in my life when the make up of my existence changed and the trajectory of my (and Stacey) life changed forever. The day when I realized the infinite passion, purpose and love about to be placed on my heart.

Fast Forward, January 13, 2023, 10 years later sitting here feeling overwhelmed with emotions. Thinking about SO many “If it weren’t for them” The list of beautiful heartfelt, sometimes heart wrenching memories and moment makers. Times that if it were not for the meeting 10 years ago would have never happened.

For me personally there are way to many to list, but most of all it has been the unconditional love, and compassion for the children, and the opportunity to be a part of their lives as they grow into amazing young adults.

A very close second is the AMAZING friendships I have developed over the years. An extraordinary group of like minded, selfless, individuals I consider family. Folks who are there to experience the journey together working for the betterment, sustainability, and peace for a brighter tomorrow not only in Haiti, but our world.

It truly amazes me to think of how many lives have been touched and intertwined because of the children at House of Hope. Lives have been changed, friendships and beautiful memories made to last a lifetime.

Project House of Hope became official in July of 2014.

Our commitment to the children began the day we met in 2013.

What has transpired since is an array of miracles and hope. Indeed we have experienced tragedy, loss, and unimaginable violence. Ultimately the love, faith and compassion for our brothers and sisters is unmatched.

Please join me in celebrating 10 years of “if it weren’t for them” Celebrate the beautiful, kind, and loving lil nuggets we first met who are now turning into amazing young adults. This because of the collaboration and commitment from our family, friends, Sponsors and Advocates. Folks just like you. Many of you have helped mold us and guide us to always step up and be better to do better.

WOW! 10 years, a huge thanks to everyone of you who have come along on our Journey of Hope. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years has to bring. I pray for peace, and grace to be the norm, and for fear, and suffering to subside for those we love and hold dear to our hearts.

I would love to hear some stories of how you have shared in our Journey of Hope. Feel free to comment so we can all reminisce and pray for better days to come for not only the kids at House of Hope, but all of Haiti.

Staying Faithful

Amy

House of Hope Salutes our Caregivers and Staff!

We at House of Hope would love to take the time to honor our Amazing Caregivers and Staff at House of Hope. Last month we celebrated our Mothers in the US and this past Sunday in Haiti. Fathers Day will be here before you know it June 20th celebrated in both the US and Haiti.

Over the years we have had the opportunity to care for the children at House of Hope in a loving family environment because of the individuals and families who come along side us and give a monetary donation for their behalf. The children are all thriving, enjoying school, church, and spending time at home with their brothers and sisters. The house is safe and clean with everything the children need. This again because of the generosity of our donors.

The most important element in the house is the community of Caregivers who love the children as their own. Our live in Mamma and her team are amazing. Cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, helping with school work, giving spiritual guidance, providing a safe home and everything else in-between. Sounds familiar to what you parents are doing here at home! Our caregivers leave their families everyday to provide a sustainable way to support them coming to House of Hope to be a parent for the children. This is not just a job, they do it with joy and grace accepting the children as their own.

The past few years have been like none we have seen before. Halting our team travel, in person fundraising speaking engagements, etc. the list can go on and on. The fall out from all of this has been quite detrimental to our fundraising efforts. The good news is we are very close to having all of our kids sponsored. That is exciting, and I thank you! One challenge we are faced with is paying the amazing staff who have dedicated their lives to our children at House of Hope. On average each person makes between $80-$113 a month. YES you read it correctly. We need you our “Mom’s and Dad’s” out there to help us keep them paid. If we can get each staff member Sponsored for one year, we will not be running in the negative. In one year I pray we will be back to hosting teams, having events, and doing what it takes to care for our children, pay our staff, and keep our community programs going. Today we need you. We need you to come along side and become a part of the House of Hope family. If you would like to continue giving after the one year of course we will be happy. Our need is urgent, and I hope in the celebration of our own Mom’s and Dad’s we can come together and make this rather simple task happen. Thank you in advance for helping us Celebrate and Honor our House of Hope “Mom’s and Dad’s”

Mazo 48 Lead Security 4 children married. Day Security at the house and helps with yard and maintenance

Wildense Security 31 3 children not married (engaged) Weekend Security at the house and helps with the maintenance and yard.

Marquise 38 Supervisor and Nanny 2 children not married Helps the kids with school and Bible lessons.

Adila 50 Nanny sister to VaVa one child not married she helps with laundry, puts them on the line and folds. cooking and all aspects of caring for the kids.

Wilsonise 32 Nanny one child and husband. Helps with cleaning and cooking. When not at the house she sells at the market

VaVa 48 Head Mamma at House of Hope 4 children Lives at the house. Sets an example for all of the staff rooted in faith.

Bebe 65 Nanny, she has been with us since day one, no children or husband cooks, and helps with all of the kids needs.

Christla 30 Nanny one child she helps get the kids ready for school and takes them to school helps with all the kids needs!

Mislène 27 Nanny, married one child, she and her child live at the house. Loving mother to all the kids helps with all the house jobs.

Marc Antoine 22 Male Nanny no children not married. Lives at the house and is responsible for being a leader and mentor for the boys. Loves the children and is a great caregiver to them all

Midler Night Security 35 3 children married. works as a mason when not at HoH.

http://www.projecthouseofhope.com/programdonation this is the direct link to the HoH Sponsorship page. You will see the Option for Staff Sponsorship. You can choose a specific worker, or we can for you. The dollar amount is $50, $80 or $100 a month.

Looking in the rear view mirror at 2020 and Navigating through 2021

One of my favorite sayings for 2021 is “Grow through what you Go through”

2020 certainly gave us many opportunities to grow. So many its gonna be hard to be brief. Project House of Hope absolutely could not have continued to grow as an organization without the constant and compelling support from you our Family, Friends, Advocates, and Sponsors. Weather you have been with us since the beginning, or have recently joined our team, we are better because of you. Many pieces make up PHoH, but the children at House of Hope are the core and foundation. When we made the commitment to provide for their basic needs we committed to a lifelong relationship including constant love and a family environment. Including a unit of caregivers who treat the children with love, dignity and respect. You are also the constant in the lives of the children by providing nutritious meal options helping them grow and learn without the distraction of feeling hungry and weak.

This is why I am writing today, 2020 was a compelling year in many ways, honestly the past 22 months have been especially trying for those we serve in Haiti. The country has faced, and is still currently facing civil and political unrest, not enough resources to effectively track or prepare for COVID19, and the Haitian $ vs the American $ exchange has been all over the place.

You! Those of you who reading this continue to remind me…. we are all shepherds caring for the needs of our children providing guidance, protection, and provision, in this the promise we made. In 2020 PHoH remained steadfast and determined to meet the needs of those who rely on us, and with that all of you have come to mind lately, recalling what you may have experienced over the past year, and how you have stepped up to serve regardless. Often many of you making sacrifices of your own money and time from your schedule. These constant blessings are what have maintained PHoH and for that we THANK YOU!

Moving Forward…… In a true sense of the word. PHoH has big news to share and we wanted you our family, friends, and constant supporters to hear first. This September Stacey and I will be moving to Haiti full time to serve. This is an exciting time for us as we prepare for the journey, moving full time to help our brothers and sisters and being a “constant” in the day to day lives of the children at House of Hope and the entire community of family and friends we serve. We will truly be using our gifts and talents to help those we love and care for as their neighbor and friend. The next few months we will take time to prepare and plan for the move. First we ask you to keep us in your prayers as we move forward on our journey to serve full time. Second we ask you to stay steadfast and continue to come alongside PHoH as we build bridges and renew our mission accepting the invitation to live out what we have been called to do.

As we navigate this process to prepare we will gladly take any advice, fundraising ideas, and opportunities to come share our story with church families, friends and colleagues. Honestly any opportunities to rally folks for support in our efforts. PHoH will continue to focus on the needs of the children at House of Hope and insure their needs are always met. Over the next few months we hope to raise enough funds to go above and beyond those fixed monthly expenses. Our goal is to raise enough funds to cover the cost of rent, and basic utilities needed in Haiti. The rent for a safe home close to the children at HoH is $10,000 for the year (paid upfront) we will need an additional $3000 for resources to power the house and have running water.

Please stay in the loop and contact Amy at fletch.houseofhope@gmail.com if you would like to come alongside and be a part of our journey to Haiti, or if you would like to share your gifts in some capacity helping raise necessary funds so the children in our care continue to live their best life.

“Like so many natural treasures, the value is most apparent when the treasure is most at risk.”

The latest news at PHoH

Hello Friends

For years at PHoH we have believed in fighting for the marginalized, and the needy. We believe in the power of equipping individuals with the tools they need to help sustain themselves and their families. We believe in raising our voices together during good times, during the struggle, and currently now during these unprecedented times. We believe in the children, and the entire community we serve. We stand in solidarity with those fighting extreme poverty, violence, corruption, and the systematic oppression of black people. We are committed to listening to those impacted by injustice in our communities here at home and in the community we serve in Haiti.

Global change is in our reach and our sights. At PHoH we do our best to teach the children as individuals and as a community the importance of their lives and the ability they have to become world changers, leaders, educators, and change makers. The future is open and waiting for our amazing youth. With your Sponsorship we are able to provide food, shelter, medical and educational, resources for our children. Your gift allows us to hire care givers who love, teach, and pray with our children daily. We are grateful and thankful to our extended PHoH family.

The children are not with us, and our travel to Haiti has been halted (until further notice.. Hopeful December 2020) Our goal is to have the necessary resources to continue to help keep them safe, fed, and healthy. Now more then ever we need support from our friends here at home. We understand the impact in the cities we live in and are doing our best to stay healthy, and care for our own families. Our ask is a big one, we need you to see the global impact and continued need in Haiti. The violence, and pandemic are keeping the children at home, no school, or activities outside the house.

Over the past few months we have had the opportunity to ship goods to help our friends and family in Haiti. This process is great and we are excited to serve from a far. We will do this again in September as the children prepare for Back to School.

Our current need and priority is your monthly Sponsorship of the children in our care. We need you to help us help them, without you our efforts would be lost. Please visit projecthouseofhope.com today and choose a child to become a lifelong friend.

Ho Ho Hope for Haiti 2018

Hello to all of our friends and supporters! Join us as we bring joy to our loved ones in Haiti this Christmas. We are launching our Ho Ho Hope for Haiti 2018. This year its quite simple, we need a few “Holiday Helper’s” to be a part of our Angel Tree and Stuff the Stocking Campaigns.

The basics are we ask you to find friends, family, school mates, and co workers to “pick and Angel or Stocking”. On the Angels and Stockings information is provided for the children ages, gender and age appropriate gift ideas. In addition to the donors information so we can send out thank you cards after the campaign.

We will collect the gifts by December 15th. To have for distribution during Holiday visit to Haiti.

Stay tuned for more details and updates. Please email for specific instructions and supplies.

fletch.houseofhope@gmail.com

Happy Holidays looking forward to bringing Christmas Joy to those we love and care for in Haiti.

Thanks in advance for being a part of our Ho Ho Hope For Haiti Celebration!

Our friends in Rousseau

We were first introduced to the community of Rousseau Haiti after Hurricane Matthew ripped through Haiti leaving widespread damage and devastation in the already vulnerable and improvised country.  Over the past two years many individuals, friends, strangers and organizations have come together to help, educate, sustain, and offer assistance in many ways.  We have been fortunate to be a big part of this process.  Many of our friends at HoH stepped up to assist us.  One of our largest attempts at helping in Rousseau has been the mission to bring water to the community.  We were very excited when the drilling process began for a well.  the community came out every day to watch the process.  All praying they would hit water soon.  After days of hard work, dedication and drilling the team were unable to hit water.  The terrain in the community made it difficult to get the truck up the mountain, but with high hopes the team made it.  The disappointment came after an attempt of going down 350 feet did not show any signs of water.  Unfortunately their equipment could not drill deeper.  The team promised to return with a larger and more powerful truck.  Currently we are working through our options as to what our next steps should be.  In the meantime HoH and many others are doing their best to provide water and other resources to help sustain this amazing community.  Please continue to keep the Rousseau and all of those we serve in Haiti in your thoughts and prayers. As we make progress we will continue to share and celebrate with you all. AF

Travlers Blog: Emma Lindsey

We were blessed to have another amazing trip with our friends from Project Grace.  Have a look at one participants take on her recent Journey of Hope. We love you Emma and can not wait to see what the future holds. xo

My Haiti

by Emma Lindsey

I always knew I wanted more in life, and I found so much MORE in Haiti.  I traveled with Project Grace to teach yoga to the beautiful children from Project House of Hope.  We did yoga, made bracelets, taught each other phrases in Creole/English, painted, hugged, laughed and loved.

It’s such an overwhelming feeling to be so fulfilled, it’s like my heart is literally bursting at the seams.  And it was more than just the children who are wonderful, it’s also the local staff at PHoH.  They were fantastic!  I felt so protected and cared for, and I am ever grateful for their kindness to me and each other.  

Haiti has endeared itself to me on so many levels and in so many ways.  The heat, the sweat, the love and belly-aching laughter, the cold showers and coconuts macheted open by hand.  It’s an experience you think you could understand before-hand, but it’s so much more.  I’ve never felt so much love and life in one place, from one people.

There is a beauty in Haiti I never knew existed.  The mountains and Sea are a sight to behold, but the real beauty lies within its people.  Their resiliency is astounding, and it creates a space for them in your heart before you even know what is happening.  The sense of community is awe-inspiring, many of these people have nothing to give yet they share everything.  They have suffered so much, but they wake up everyday and continue to live and love one another.

It’s amazing to me to think how I experienced so much joy amongst so much sadness.  My hardest moment came when we took supplies up the mountain to a small community cut off from a water supply.  There had been rain and the road was too muddy for us to make it all the up.  So instead the people came down to us, and the children especially were so excited.  

A young girl wearing a little bucket hat stayed at my side.  She was holding my hand, and I noticed a rash across her face.  Her mother came over and pointed to her child’s legs, showing me that the rash had spread over her body.  Then she took off the little bucket hat and my heart broke.  Her entire head was covered in scabs, and this brave little girl smiled all the while, just happy to hold my hand.  In that moment I knew there was no going back for me, I had to do more to help.

And so now I begin a new journey.  One where Haiti has burned itself upon my soul and I am forever changed.  The coming days for me will be filled with thoughts of the beautiful people, and how I may best come back to them.  In the meantime, each moment away, I will be missing My Haiti…

Come share your gifts in Haiti winter 2018/2019

Hello, and happy summer to you all.  The children at House of Hope are enjoying their break, and we hope you are making the most of yours. The weeks have been filled with VBS, Music, Dance, Sports and so much more.  PHoH will host our friends at Project Grace next week.  This is an amazing group of folks who come and offer their gifts of ballet, tap, and yoga to the children in our care and the entire community.  Our dear friend Kathy will host an empowerment class for the ladies, and our friend Kristen who has tirelessly alongside with her kids collected backpacks for the children at LeRefuge School.  What a week we are going to have. To top it off our Heroes of Hope Soccer team will have a game to showcase their skills.  Does this sound like fun to you? The opportunity for you to join us is here. 

We have selected two weeks in early 2019 for you to come with us and visit the beautiful country of Haiti.  Taking in the beaches, mountains, and countryside, all while sharing your gifts.  We pride ourselves on immersing you in culture, food, faith and our family. Hosting you in a safe and beautiful home.  Join us January 4th-January 9th, trip one in 2019.  February 20th-February 26th trip number two.  These two trips are "open" at this time. (we typically keep our groups around 10-15)  In addition we can host you, your family, church family or your company on a "Vision" trip.  Sharing with you the work we are doing in country, and how you may want to get involved with our programs.  Please contact us directly to plan vision trips. 

The trips are all about doing what we can to help educate, sustain, and enlighten those we serve.  Encouraging our travelers to be themselves and to be open to a new and exciting experience that will compare to no other.  Please consider joining us for this life changing opportunity.  Click on the travel with us tab on the website for specific details on traveling with with us.  We look forward to hosting you in 2019.  Make sure you sign up soon before the trips fill up.  Thanks in advance for wanting to be a part of our House of Hope family. See you soon.....AF