What do you know about Haiti?
Based on what makes it to the headlines, you may have heard about the gang violence in the country’s capital, the Haitian TPS holders who face immigration limbo here in the U.S, or maybe you heard of their historic return to the FIFA World Cup earlier this year. Regardless, we often don’t hear of the stories from the rural, everyday Haitians who work to provide for their families, farm the land, and develop their communities together.
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
At the Broetje Family Trust we believe that God created all people with unique gifts, talents, and abilities that we’re called to use for the common good. This is why for over 30 years the Vista Hermosa Foundation has stewarded a legacy of supporting Haitian-led community development. This past month, we had the privilege of welcoming several incredible leaders and organizations to the Leo Center—World Vision, Haiti Partners, New Roots Haiti and Sonje Ayiti. Each visit provided a meaningful opportunity to deepen relationships, learn about the realities facing the communities they serve, and reflect on the transformative work taking place across Haiti.
Alan Schiffer from World Vision offered an opportunity to reflect on the longstanding partnership between World Vision and the Broetje Family Trust. He shared the history of both organizations, highlighted World Vision's global impact, and provided an overview of its current work in Haiti and across the world. During our Call to Community, Alan shared stories that illustrated how communities are being transformed through long-term investment, local leadership, and faithful partnerships.
One of the most impactful concepts Alan spoke to was Empowered Worldview, a biblically based behavior change model that has been implemented in many countries around the world including in Haiti through a prior project that Vista Hermosa Foundation funded. Empowered Worldview addresses the underlying beliefs that can create dependency and hopelessness by helping individuals rediscover their identity, dignity, God-given purpose, and capacity to become agents of change within their own families and communities.
John and Merlin Engle shared both the difficult realities facing Haiti today and the remarkable resilience demonstrated by the communities they serve. They spoke about the ongoing violence, insecurity, and uncertainty affecting daily life while emphasizing that hope continues to grow through education, local leadership, and community ownership.
Their philosophy on the importance of education is central to everything they do. Rather than viewing communities through the lens of need, Haiti Partners equips individuals to recognize their own gifts, strengths, and capacity to lead change. This mindset has become the foundation upon which sustainable development is built through their initiative The Children’s Academy: A model for school-based community development.
One story that stood out was the growth of the Haiti Partners Children’s Academy. Beginning with a vision to provide quality education rooted in community empowerment, the school now operates seven days a week and is preparing to graduate its first class of students this summer Haiti Partners Children's Academy 2025-26. Attendance has remained nearly 100 percent because families recognize education as an investment in their children's future and remain committed to ensuring they attend consistently despite challenging circumstances.
The organization also shared lessons learned through entrepreneurship. An early bakery business ultimately failed due to its location and the high costs of transporting necessary supplies. Rather than viewing this as failure, Haiti Partners adapted by investing in businesses built around locally available resources such as spices, peppers, fruits, and agricultural products. Their willingness to learn, innovate, and remain rooted in community assets reflects the resilience they seek to cultivate throughout Haiti.
During Marie Gabrielle Aurel's visit, Sonje Ayiti shared its mission and vision during our Call to Community, giving staff an inspiring glimpse into the organization's history and the holistic approach it has taken to serving rural communities throughout Haiti. Gabrielle explained how Sonje Ayiti was founded with a desire to walk alongside vulnerable families, empower local leaders, and create lasting opportunities rooted in faith, dignity, and hope.
"Poverty is not a lack of material resources, it is broken relationships"
What became evident throughout the presentation was the depth of trust Sonje Ayiti has built within the communities it serves. Their work extends far beyond providing services; they intentionally strengthen relationships by partnering with families, churches, healthcare providers, traditional healers, educators. Their collaborative approach recognizes that lasting transformation happens when entire communities work together.
Education remains one of the organization's greatest priorities. Many children continue to walk more than an hour and a half each way to attend school, often traveling through rain, mud, and difficult terrain. Yet they continue showing up every day because school represents safety, hope, and opportunity. Families recognize the value of education, and children are eager to learn despite the obstacles they face.
Sonje Ayiti also invests in developing young entrepreneurs by teaching practical vocational skills that create economic opportunity. Students learn to sew their own school uniforms, operate small catering businesses, and develop other income-generating skills that strengthen both individual confidence and household resilience.
The organization also provides access to clean water by delivering water to communities that lack reliable sources, helping meet one of Haiti's most pressing needs while supporting the health and wellbeing of vulnerable families.
New Roots Haiti's visit provided an opportunity to learn more about their ongoing work and the challenges communities continue to face amid Haiti's insecurity and violence. Their work reflects a strong commitment to strengthening families and creating opportunities for children and communities to thrive.
A key focus of their current project is the completion of the (New Roots Dream Center), an initiative designed to create a space where children, families, and community members can access resources, support, and opportunities for growth. The project represents their continued investment in the long-term wellbeing of the communities they serve. This year, they launched a preschool with one big goal in mind: to build up not just the children, but the parents too.
Each of these visits reinforced the same powerful lesson: communities are far more than the challenges they face.
Whether discussing violence and insecurity in Haiti, investing in entrepreneurship, improving access to education, strengthening healthcare systems, or expanding clean water access, every conversation centered on one fundamental belief, lasting change begins within community.
These organizations consistently choose to see strengths instead of deficiencies, possibility instead of limitation, and partnership instead of dependency. They invest in local leaders, strengthen families, create opportunities for children, and empower communities to shape their own futures.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Each of these visits reinforced the same powerful lesson: communities are far more than the challenges they face.
Whether discussing violence and insecurity in Haiti, investing in entrepreneurship, improving access to education, strengthening healthcare systems, or expanding clean water access, every conversation centered on one fundamental belief, lasting change begins within community.
These organizations consistently choose to see strengths instead of deficiencies, possibility instead of limitation, and partnership instead of dependency. They invest in local leaders, strengthen families, create opportunities for children, and empower communities to shape their own futures.