A Look Inside Hope House

Ever wondered what your favorite spot is? In Haiti, at Kay Espwa (Hope House), it's definitely the rooftop for me. Imagine the sparkling Caribbean Sea on one side and the beautiful mountains on the other side. Breathtaking, right? Here, under a blanket of stars, free from light pollution, I find peace and quiet. It's my nightly ritual – yoga mat, water, journal, and Bible in hand – to climb the ladder and soak it all in. This is my space to de-stress, to simply breathe.

Just like my rooftop haven, Kay Espwa is a haven for our community. Pregnant women, new moms, and their children find safety and support within these walls. Here, children get ready for school in our preschool program, and families receive basic healthcare, clean water, and even food assistance when available.

Let's take a tour! Our cozy house sits, surrounded by our gardens that are bursting with life – plantains, bananas, papayas, breadfruit, and a vibrant mix of vegetables nurtured by our dedicated staff. We even have a coop filled with happy hens, providing protein for our "mamas" and the community. Fresh water is a precious resource, and we collect it from a nearby canal, storing it in two large cisterns. After adding bleach, it's ready for use inside the house.

Learning and empowerment go hand-in-hand at Kay Espwa. Our workshop is a hub for training sessions, maternal healthcare education, breastfeeding support, and even sewing classes. We manage our waste responsibly with a designated burning pit, and leftover food scraps are composted or shared with neighbors' pigs. Security is a priority, so we have a large sliding gate at the entrance, along with a secure space for our solar panel batteries and generator. The entire property is enclosed for added peace of mind.

Now, step inside with me! Our covered front porch doubles as a dining area, a meeting space for staff and for assessing needs of people in our community. Haitian homes are unique, and as you enter, you'll find an octagonal-shaped room leading to two dorm rooms, a bathroom, my room, and a compact office space. The kitchen, though small, is a place of magic where I have learned the art of gratitude and living with less from our Haitian friends. It opens up to a  little, back porch. (That's where you might find Koda, our adorable guard dog, begging for treats!)

Every corner of this rented property serves a vital purpose. Our dorm rooms now store essential supplies – preschool materials, birth kits, clothing, cloth diapers, and more – that we readily share with the community. The office is the heart of our operations, housing medical supplies for mobile clinics and other urgent needs. My room, branching off the office, provides a much-needed space for rest. The kitchen, though compact, is a testament to making the most of what we have.

By now, you might be wondering why I'm taking you on this tour.

Kay Espwa is more than just a house; it's a refuge, a place where families can learn, grow, and build a brighter future. The pregnant women, children, and our entire community are the reason we exist. Without this haven, our impact would be impossible.

For the past three years, this rental property has been a gift. It's allowed us to continue supporting families even amidst challenges. Our dedicated staff keeps pushing forward because they have to, because of the families we serve.

Here's the thing: June is here, and that means lease renewal time. In Haiti, rent needs to be paid upfront, in full.

We, along with our board of directors, wanted to be transparent about why this space is crucial. To keep Kay Espwa running for another year, we need $11,500. It seems like a big number, but we know so many of you believe in the vision of Espwa.

We need you. We need your support. Will you help us secure this haven for another year by covering the rent and security for Kay Espwa and its surrounding property?

~Anjè