MISSION
Light from Light is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that strengthens the foundations of progress in Haitian communities living with extraordinary poverty and chaos. We walk and work alongside proven local leaders, including our Haitian sister organization Lespwa Timoun, empowering them to build and sustain long-lasting change.
United in our mission and our motivation to answer Christ’s call to serve, we are effectively feeding the flame of hope and healing in Haitian communities. Together, we make that light brighter and stronger, so it can burn far into the future.
LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT. AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT:
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
MATTHEW 22:37-39
HAITI STORY
In 1987 Rees and TJ Johnston (along with their two very young children) moved to Haiti where TJ served as a volunteer for Mission with the Episcopal Church of Haiti. He was responsible for encouraging and supporting partnerships between Episcopal churches and schools in Haiti with churches and schools outside of Haiti.
Early on in his time in Haiti, a young priest named Father Fritz Valdema came into TJ’s office (he didn’t speak English and TJ spoke very little Creole at that time) and told TJ that he was being transferred to the Island of LaGonave where he would become the priest in charge of all the churches and schools on that Island that is one of the poorest places in Haiti. He had never been to LaGonave, he had no resources, he had a very young family, and he needed help to get started.
From that day on Pere Val (Father Fritz Valdema and his wife, Carmel) and TJ began a partnership that continues to this day. His first trip to LaGonave was TJ’s first trip to LaGonave. TJ and Pere Val worked and served together in Haiti for three years prior to TJ returning to the US. Since 1990, TJ has introduced countless churches, medical professionals and friends to the ongoing work of Pere Val and Carmel Valdema. In 2004 Light from Light started under the name CHAP (Christian Haitian American Partnership).
It began as a partnership between churches and schools in the Myrtle Beach area with churches, schools and the Lespwa Timoun community health projects in and around Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. Presently, Father Fritz “Pere Val” leads the St Simeon parish for the Episcopal Church in Haiti. Carmel Valdema, is a registered nurse and founder of Lespwa Timoun “Hope for Children” Medical Clinic. Since that time they have shared their lives, ministry, families, hard times, and deeply rich and rewarding years working together in many different areas of Haiti.
What began in such a simple way decades ago today finds expression today in the partnership between Light from Light and Lespwa Timoun. Their partnership has grown way beyond their families but the love, respect, and faith that marked the beginning of the adventures together, continue to be the sustaining values of all that is being done today.
CARMEL AND FATHER FRITZ VALDEMA AND THEIR FAMILY
IMPACT
Light from Light evolves as community needs evolve. Each community we serve has unique and ever-changing needs. Through our local partnerships, we are able to encourage and scale-up the work they are already doing. We are building enduring relationships rather than a one-time exchange, transaction or trip. Light from Light has grown out of a 30-year friendship and partnership in Haiti through the sacrifice and generosity of many.
2016
-31,000 Patients Treated by Lespwa Timoun Staff and Mission Teams
-5,191 Malnourished Children in Nutrition Program
-Hope for Haiti 5K Raised $12,000
-Crochu Classic Golf Tournament Raised $12,000
-100 Children Received the Crochu School Scholarships
-14 Mission Trips with 86 Volunteers
-2,500 Moringa Trees Distributed and Planted
-Created New Supplement from Moringa Trees
-24 Traditional Birth Attendants Trained and Equipped
-Over 400 Clean Birthing Kits Distributed
-Latrine Built at Toucan Boyer School to Serve 285 Students
-Over 15,000 Men, Women and Children Educated in Community Health Classes
-Hurricane Matthew Emergency Response Team Served in Jeremie, Haiti
2015
-Nutrition Program Served 3,906 patients
-14,506 Medical Patients Treated
-4 Schools Served by the Saint Simeon’s Parish of the Episcopal Church
-Completion of the Lespwa Timoun Medical Clinic New Location
-Lespwa Timoun Guest House Opened
-Installed New Water Cisterns
-10 Mission Teams from 5 states
-Supported 24 Traditional Birthing Assistants
BOARD
Light from Light is lead by a committed board of directors.
BISHOP TJ JOHNSTON
President
Mount Pleasant, SC
WELDEN JOHNSTON
Vice President
Austin, TX
MARY WHITE
Treasurer
Pawley’s Island, SC
PHIL BLACK
Birmingham, AL
DR. CHARLES DUNN
Springfield, MO
DR. JEANNE FOURRIER
Pawley’s Island, SC
NANCY HAGOOD
Sullivan’s Island, SC
MIKE HUBBARD
Birmingham, AL
JENNIFER JOHNSON
Conway, SC
PASTOR BRAD MAULDIN
Atlanta, GA
DON PHILLIPS
McClellanville, SC
CLAY WILLIS
Edenton, NC
JACKIE WOODLE
Myrtle Beach, SC
JOHN WRENN
Mount Pleasant, SC