Our Story

“The missionaries want us to LIVE; we want to GROW!”

Paul Prevost, mayor of Mizak Haiti, observed his neighbors standing in faith based, free lunch line. He was speaking with Valerie Mossman-Celestin who had recently moved to Haiti research “what is help” the local perspective.

Paul’s words stuck. In 2007, Valerie and Paul co-founded ‘Haitian Artisans for Peace International’ to economically empower women by teaching them how to use their embroidery skills to produce marketable product.

THESE WOMEN ARTISANS ARE WHY AND HOW HAPI BECAME KNOWN. THEY LAUNCHED THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY.

Across the years, HAPI listened and adapted to assets and desires of community. Local healthcare, especially maternal care, emerged as the single greatest need. HAPI responded with Felisane Health Center and ‘Start Right’ maternal care. ‘HAPITech’, the area’s first vocational center, soon followed. HAPI is launching a ‘Pass-the-Gift’ goat raising youth initiative for ages 15-18 years to help them pay for education. We provide jobs for men and women at fair wages in safe working conditions.

HAPI changed our name to ‘Haitian ASSETS…’ in recognition of evolvement and GROWTH the organization and are build upon existing community assets–especially the amazing local talent! But, as we like to say, “We are still HAPI!”