MISSION
Light from Light is a U.S.-based nonprofit that strengthens the foundations of progress in Haitian communities living with extraordinary poverty and chaos.
We walk and work alongside proven local leaders, like our sister organization Lespwa Timoun, empowering them to build and sustain long-lasting change.
With your help, we are effectively feeding the flame of hope and healing in Haitian communities, making it brighter and stronger so it can burn far into the future.
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
MATTHEW 22:37-39
Our Partner
Mothers walk all day, carrying their children, for nutrition. People wait for hours to receive medical treatment. One mountain community built a road just so help could reach them.
These scenes are a testament to the deep need of the Haitian people. And, they demonstrate the trust that our Haitian sister organization, Lespwa Timoun (“Hope for Children”), has earned in the community.
This Haitian NGO and certified health provider is led by founder Carmel Valdema, a registered nurse and an experienced, respected community health leader we have worked with for more than 30 years.
At Light From Light, we believe communities are best served by strong local leaders. By empowering Lespwa Timoun’s work, bringing them the resources, hearts and hands needed to achieve their mission, we help create more sustainable, long-term solutions for Haitian communities.
CARMEL VALDEMA WITH A MOTHER AND CHILD SERVED BY LESPWA TIMOUN CLINIC
IMPACT
Light from Light nonprofit 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
HISTORY
Light From Light’s story began long before its formation, with a simple friendship. In 1987, a young Haitian priest named Father Fritz Valdema walked into the office of TJ Johnston, an American volunteering with the Episcopal Church in Haiti.
Across the differences of language and culture, they found a common bond: a calling to alleviate the suffering of the poor and lift up communities.
While TJ could bring resources to the table, they were put to best use when shepherded by Père Val and his wife Carmel Valdema, an experienced nurse and community health leader, who understood the local needs and culture. Carmel would later go on to found our sister organization, Lespwa Timoun.
Since then, the work that TJ, Carmel and Père Val began has flourished – starting with the island of LaGonave, then spreading to urban Croix-des-Bouquets outside the capital of Port-au-Prince and to remote mountain towns.
An enduring friendship has expanded to include rich, mutual partnerships between countless American churches, medical professionals and friends to Haitian communities.
While an ocean divides us, we have been united for three decades by our common faith, values and purpose.
BOARD
Light from Light is led 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
JENNIFER JOHNSON
Secretary
Conway, SC
PHILIP 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
PASTOR BRAD MAULDIN
Atlanta, GA
CLAY WILLIS
Edenton, NC
JACKIE WOODLE
Myrtle Beach, SC
JOHN WRENN
Mount Pleasant, SC