Jean Elade Eloi was born in the small village of Zorangé located in the southeast district of Haiti, some 60 miles from the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince. From the age of 12, Elade has dreamed of helping his country, the least developed country in the Western Hemisphere. In 1999, his dream was realized when he opened the Hope for Haiti Foundation (HFHF) in the same village in which he was born. Hope for Haiti Foundation focuses on empowering individuals living in Haiti to act and change their own nation. They work to provide those individuals with the vision and skills necessary to make the dream of a healthy community a reality.

Hope for Haiti Foundation believes health is the cornerstone of a productive and thriving society. The clinics opened by HFHF are the only medical clinics in the region, bringing access to those who otherwise would not have it. Rural communities in Haiti often lack access to any form of medical care, which can lead to malnutrition, chronic illness, and death from preventable diseases. To address this issue, the Hope for Haiti Foundation clinics provide first aid and primary care services, including parasite treatment, hypertension, fevers (typhoid, malaria), women’s health, eye care, a pharmacy, and diagnostic laboratory. In addition to these services, HFHF also distributes water filters and vitamins to individuals living in Haiti.

Hope for Haiti Foundation not only focuses on the medical issues facing Haiti, but they also address the educational and spiritual needs of Haiti as well. HFHF educates underprivileged children in remote villages and towns and provides environmental education, tools and resources to farmers and other community members. They provide health education through Radio Bigot and community health workers and also train birth attendants. Additionally, HFHF provides spiritual development, encouragement and support to churches and pastors in the area.

Direct Relief and HFHF have been working together for two years and in that time HFHF has grown tremendously. Since 2010, they’ve received numerous deliveries of medical supplies from Direct Relief valued at $813,000. Today HFHF has one clinic in Zorangé and another one under way in Gandou, expected to open its doors in October.  With the new clinic and limited funds, Elade says he will turn to Direct Relief for support in his mission to provide health care for Haiti.

Watch the video below to learn more about Elade’s inspiring journey to help those living in Haiti.