Voices From Home Haiti · Projects
ActiveFreddy Mars - Mystery Infection
Help Freddy Mars Get the Medical Care He Desperately Needs Freddy Mars is a 13-year-old boy living in Fort Saint-Michel, Haiti, who has been battling a mysterious medical condition since he was just 7 years old. For six years, Freddy has lived with an illness that remains undiagnosed. What initially appeared to be a skin infection has continued to spread, raising serious concerns about his health and well-being. His aunt, Joseph Maculine Mars, has devoted herself to finding answers. She has taken Freddy to several recommended dermatologists, hoping that someone could identify the condition and provide effective treatment. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, Freddy's condition continues to worsen. Today, his family fears that what Freddy is experiencing may be more than a simple skin infection. Without a proper diagnosis, they do not know what treatment he needs. Meet Freddy's Caregiver "My name is Joseph Maculine Mars. I am 58 years old, married, and live in Fort Saint-Michel, Haiti. I am raising three children, including Freddy, whom I care for as my own. I have done everything within my means to help Freddy get better, but I can no longer afford the medical expenses. Watching his condition spread without knowing what is happening to him has been incredibly difficult. I am asking for help because Freddy deserves answers, treatment, and a chance to live a healthy childhood." How Your Donation Will Help We are raising funds to help Freddy receive: * A comprehensive medical evaluation by qualified specialists. * Laboratory testing and diagnostic procedures recommended by his doctors. * Any additional specialist consultations needed to identify his condition. * Appropriate medications and treatment once a diagnosis is established. * Transportation, follow-up appointments, and ongoing medical care. Freddy has already spent six years of his childhood living with uncertainty. He should not have to spend another six years without answers simply because his family cannot afford medical care. Every donation, no matter the amount, brings Freddy one step closer to understanding his condition and receiving the treatment he needs. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing his story. Together, we can help Freddy find answers, access proper medical care, and reclaim the childhood every child deserves.
CompletedGive Isemaison a chance for health and education!
His name is Jean Isemaison Gerlin. We met him on the streets of Cap-Haïtien selling candy between cars. Both of his parents have died, and despite everything he is facing, one of his biggest wishes is simply to go to school. But Isemaison also needs immediate medical attention. During our first interview, he was wearing a hat and we could see that he had suffered a serious eye injury from a car accident. When our journalist returned for a second interview, we discovered that the damage extended beyond his eye to his head. He needs to be evaluated by medical professionals as soon as possible. My name is Blandine Joyeux, creator of Voices From Home Haiti, and I'm asking you to trust me to help him. This fundraiser will first address Isemaison's medical and educational needs, while also helping us support at least 20 - 50 vulnerable children in Cap-Haïtien, and 3 elderly women in a remote mountain side of cap haitian and their village with needs such as food, education, medical care and other essentials. And I promise you transparency. Our journalists on the ground will conduct follow-up visits and provide regular updates so you can see how your donations are being used and the lives they are impacting—while protecting the dignity of the children we help. We cannot help every child overnight. But we can start with one. Donate whatever you can. If you cannot donate, please share. Let's get Isemaison the medical attention he needs, get him back into school, and give more children in Cap-Haïtien a chance. Haiti's children deserve more than our sympathy. They deserve an opportunity.
ActiveHelp Us Light the Boulevard of Cap-Haïtien
Since mid-April, Konbit Okap has been working to transform the Boulevard of Cap-Haïtien through cleanup, restoration, landscaping, beautification, and now one of our most important priorities: lighting the Boulevard. Today, we have a team of 21 workers, each earning $11.50 per workday. These are people on the ground doing the physical work required to turn this vision into something the community can actually see and experience. Our goal is to complete this phase of the project by December 2026. Our Priority: 200 Lights on the Boulevard So far, over 200 trees have been planted, 20+ flag poles and 36 solar lights have been added to the Boulevard, and we are preparing to install six more. But our ultimate goal is 200 lights. Based on the 36 already installed, we currently need: 200-light goal − 36 installed = 164 lights remaining Because we install two lights per pole, those 164 lights require: 82 additional light poles Each solar light costs approximately $89, and each pole costs approximately $90. For the remaining installation: 164 lights × $89 = $14,596 82 poles × $90 = $7,380 Preparing and welding approximately three poles costs $150. For 82 remaining poles, we estimate approximately $4,100 for welding and pole preparation. That brings the estimated remaining lighting infrastructure budget to approximately: **$26,076** This covers the 164 solar lights, 82 poles, and estimated welding/pole preparation. Additional transportation, repairs, unexpected materials, and other field expenses may cause the final cost to vary. Once the next six lights are installed, we will be at 42 of our 200-light goal, leaving 158 lights and 79 poles to complete. Keeping 21 People Working Lighting is only one part of the cost of keeping Konbit Okap moving. Our 21 workers earn $11.50 per workday, meaning our daily payroll is: 21 workers × $11.50 = $241.50 per day If we maintain a five-day workweek for approximately 14 weeks through the end of December, wages alone would be about $16,905. At six days per week, that could reach approximately $20,286. So depending on the number of workdays required, completing the lighting project while keeping our team employed could require approximately $42,981–$46,362 between lighting infrastructure and wages. These are working estimates, and we will continue adjusting the budget based on actual installation costs and the number of days our team works. Why Lighting the Boulevard Matters This isn't simply a beautification project. The Boulevard becomes extremely dark at night. Poor visibility creates risks for motorists and pedestrians, including accidents. Community members have also raised concerns about criminal and illegal activity occurring in poorly illuminated areas. We want to change that. We want a Boulevard where people can see where they're going. A Boulevard where families, drivers, workers, and visitors feel that the public space around them is being cared for. We have already worked to clean and restore the medians, add landscaping, and create a Haitian flag tribute that represents our history, pride, and dignity. Now we want to take the Boulevard out of darkness. Cap-Haïtien is one of Haiti's most important destinations, and this Boulevard is part of the experience people have when entering the city. We believe its appearance should reflect the standard we know Okap is capable of achieving. From GoFundMe to My Kominote We originally began raising funds for this work through GoFundMe. We are now transitioning the fundraiser to My Kominote, a platform created by Haitians for Haitians with the goal of bringing Haitian projects, organizations, businesses, and community initiatives together under one platform. For us, that transition represents something larger. If we're asking Haitians around the world to help rebuild and invest in our communities, we also want to support infrastructure being created specifically to connect those communities. The work itself remains the same. 21 workers. 200 lights. 36 already installed. 164 to go. 82 additional poles. One Boulevard. One goal: finish this phase by December. We have started it. We have proven that it can be done. Now we need your help to finish it. Support Konbit Okap through My Kominote and help us continue lighting, restoring, and transforming the Boulevard of Cap-Haïtien. Okap se pou nou tout.
CompletedPrehacopa × MACHE
MACHE is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with PreHaCopa, an initiative dedicated to preparing Haiti to become a qualified host or co-host nation for Copa America by 2036. Together, we believe that national development begins with strong communities, clean public spaces, and infrastructure that inspires pride. This campaign continues our Konbit Okap Boulevard Restoration Project, where local residents have already transformed neglected public medians into vibrant green spaces through community-led action. With your support, we are now entering the last phase of restoration. Our campaign goal is $8,918.80 Thanks to PrehaCopa's incredible commitment, $3,000 has already been contributed, leaving $5,918.88 remaining to fully fund this phase.
CompletedKonbit Okap - Phase 3
Konbit Okap is a community restoration initiative led by MACHE Community Inc. in support of Voices From Home Haiti. Konbit Okap is powered by the spirit of Konbit—neighbors coming together to build a stronger community. Every contribution helps preserve the progress already made and creates a cleaner, safer, and more resilient Cap-Haïtien for future generations. KONBIT OKAP – PHASE 3 After successfully cleaning, restoring, and beautifying the boulevard through Phases 1 and 2, MACHE is launching Phase 3 of Konbit Okap—a critical step focused on protecting the work already completed and ensuring long-term sustainability. This phase includes the construction of protective barriers around five canal openings, built with cinder blocks and secured with access doors to prevent trash accumulation while allowing maintenance crews to safely access the canals when needed. By addressing the source of recurring waste buildup, these improvements will help keep the boulevard cleaner, improve water flow, and reduce future cleanup costs. In addition to canal protection infrastructure, Phase 3 will fund: Two weeks of boulevard maintenance Community workforce wages Miscellaneous project expenses and materials Construction of five canal protection structures Fundraising Supports Wages for 2 Weeks Miscellaneous Project Expenses Construction of 5 Canal Protection Structures Ongoing Boulevard Maintenance
CompletedKonbit Okap - Phase 2
Konbit Okap is a community restoration initiative led by MACHE Community Inc. in support of Voices From Home Haiti. What began as a 30-day mobilization of 16 local workers has now grown into a team of 21 workers committed to cleaning and restoring a neglected boulevard and surrounding beach area in Okap, Haiti. Phase 1: Cleaning — Completed The team focused on removing trash, clearing debris, improving canal safety, and preparing the space for restoration. Phase 2: Restoration — Current Focus We are now moving into beautification. This phase includes adding soil, mulch, palm trees, decorative plants, recycled hexagon block installations, and landscaping features to transform the boulevard into a cleaner, greener, and more welcoming public space. Current Fundraising Goal: $10,550 USD Funds will support: * Daily wages for 21 workers * Soil installation and transportation * Mulch and ground cover Palm trees and decorative plants * Boulevard beautification features * Recycled hexagon block installations * Long-term environmental restoration support Estimated Key Costs Soil & Transportation * 7–10 truckloads of soil needed * 7 trucks minimum × $134 = $959 * Excavator operator fee: $400 * Minimum soil-related cost: $1,359 Worker Wages * 21 workers × 1,500 gourdes/day × 15 days * Total: 472,500 gourdes Palm Trees * 20 palm trees × 5,000 gourdes * Total: 100,000 gourdes Through collective action, Konbit Okap is showing what community-led restoration can look like: practical, visible, and rooted in pride for Haiti’s future. Your support helps transform a damagedpublic space into something the community can use, protect, and be proud of.
CompletedKonbit Okap - Phase 1
Konbit Okap is a community restoration initiative led by MACHE Community Inc. in support of Voices From Home Haiti. For the next 30 days, we are mobilizing a team of 16 local workers to clean & restore a neglected section of roadway and its surrounding beach area. What was once filled with debris will be cleared, cleaned, and transformed into a safer, more beautiful public space—with plans to lay mulch and plant palm trees to bring life back to the environment. To stay focused and execution-driven, we are fundraising by phase.: Phase 1 (Weeks 1–2): Cleaning — CURRENT FOCUS This phase is dedicated entirely to clearing trash, restoring safety, and preparing the space for transformation. Phase 2 (Weeks 3–4): Restoration Following cleanup, the project will shift to beautification—laying mulch, planting palm trees,and rebuilding the space into something the community can take pride in. Current Goal: Phase 1 Only Fundraising Target: $2,250 USD Covers wages for 16 workers over two weeks (1,500 gourdes/day) Your support helps fund: * Daily wages for 16 workers * Ongoing debris removal and restoration efforts * The transformation of a damaged space into something the community can be proud of This is a hands-on, visible impact project—where every contribution directly translates into cleaner streets, restored beaches, and economic opportunity. Core Labor Cost Workers: 16 people Daily wage per person: 1,500 gourdes Daily total: 16 × 1,500 = 24,000 gourdes per day Monthly total (30 days): 24,000 × 30 = 720,000 gourdes Summary Total monthly labor cost: 720,000 gourdes Quick USD Context (approximate) If you estimate ~130 gourdes ≈ $1 USD (rates fluctuate):720,000 gourdes ≈ ~$5,500 USD