Bay Lavi is Creole for Give Life.
Supporting Our 20th Village Project
January 24, 2026 ~ Riverside Receptions, Geneva IL
Cocktails, silent auction, plated dinner and desserts, music, and games
Join us in making a transformative impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in the Western Hemisphere. Funds raised at this event will support the construction of a new village in Northern Haiti. Once completed, this project will foster a thriving community, led by trained local leadership and supported through ongoing initiatives by Hope for Haitians and partner NGOs.
DETAILS
5:00-6:30 PM Cocktails, Hope in Action Tour & Silent Auction
6:30-6:45 Opening Remarks, Door prize, Tour Drawing, Award
6:45 PM Dinner & Coffee
7:45 Program
8:00 Final call for Auction, Games,
Cash bar
Dress for the event is Semi Formal
What we plan to accomplish this year
Since 2001, Hope for Haitians has provided secure homes and safe water to families in Haiti facing extreme poverty. We also collaborate with local leaders and communities to drive sustainable improvements in food security, education, basic healthcare, and income opportunities.
Our goal for the 2026 “Bay Lavi” event is to raise funds for the continued development of the St. Joseph Village, our 20th village project in rural Haiti. This milestone project continues our work in Acul Samedi and includes:
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Secure homes for 20 additional families
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Launch of an agricultural initiative to strengthen food security
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Expansion of economic development programs to create sustainable income opportunities
This initiative builds on work already completed, including training a local leadership council, providing homes for 75 families, building a community center for the entire village, and installing 15 solar streetlights.
About Acul-Samedi and the St. Joseph Village Project
While the United States is the wealthiest country in the western hemisphere, our near neighbor Haiti is the poorest. Situated just 700 miles off the coast of Florida, Haiti has endured more than its fair share of suffering. Devastating earthquakes, tropical storms, civil disorder, and pervasive gang violence make Haiti a challenging place to live and work. In spite of these challenges, Hope for Haitians has transformed the lives of families living in desperate poverty every year for the past 24 years.
St. Joseph Village
St. Joseph Village Project, an initiative of Hope for Haitians, is set in Acul Samedi, Haiti, a small farming community. The villagers, who mostly grow crops like manioc and peanuts, face a host of challenges. This project addresses six areas needed to create a sustainable community.
Housing:
The current housing scenario in Acul Samedi is abysmal, with many homes constructed from mud and sticks, providing scant protection from harsh weather. The situation gets perilous during inclement weather when people can’t sleep due to the water seeping into their homes. This project, once completed will provide 101 families (505 individuals) with new, well-equipped homes, marking their first step towards sustainable livelihoods.
Water:
Clean drinking water is another major issue. At present, people rely on two unfiltered hand pumps or direct river water, exposing them to waterborne diseases. Waterborne ailments like typhoid, cholera, and chronic diarrhea account for over half of Haiti’s annual deaths.
This project, once completed will mitigate this problem by providing two new wells with water treatment systems to ensure safe drinking water for all.
Community Space and Safety:
The new community center provides a shared space for events, supporting community growth and serving as the home base for the Leadership Committee.
In Acul Samedi, 15 solar-powered streetlights now improve road safety at night, while solar lights in each of the 101 homes will enable families to extend study and work hours, enhancing safety and opportunities for residents.
Local Leadership Training:
Training local leaders enhances outcomes and sustainability by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to manage projects effectively and adapt to community needs.
These leaders can ensure that initiatives are tailored to local conditions, fostering greater community engagement and ownership. This local expertise helps maintain progress after external support ends, creating a self-sustaining cycle of growth and development that is rooted in the community’s strengths and priorities.
Economic Development:
With less than 5% of residents holding permanent jobs and over 21% having no income, sustainable local income sources are essential.
These initiatives should be community-driven, reducing reliance on external support and benefiting all community members. Examples include women’s microloan programs, skills training, and solar power projects—each guided by local leadership to ensure broad, lasting impact.
Improving Food Security:
Improving food security in rural Haiti involves empowering local farmers with tools and resources to boost their productivity and control over their harvests.
Guided by local leadership, approaches include providing mills that enable farmers to process rice and corn locally, increasing their income and reducing reliance on imports. Other strategies include training programs to enhance agricultural techniques, improvements to tools, seeds, materials, and access to markets. Together, these efforts aim to build a resilient, self-reliant food system that ensures long-term food security.