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.
2018
– Over 25,000 Patient Consultations, by Lespwa Timoun Staff and Mission Teams, addressing medical issues like cholera, parasites and chronic disease, plus well visits like OB/GYN care, pediatric check ups and vaccinations
-Over 10,000 Malnourished Children screened in Nutrition Program
-4,795 Infants and Children received life-sustaining care through the Nutrition Program, helping families defy Haiti’s high child mortality rate
-Sponsored 170 children in the Child Sponsorship Program for partnering schools- Saint Alban’s (Bouzi/Crochu) and Rayon d’Espoir (Boucan Boyer)
– 11 Mission Trips with 72 volunteers
– Provided monthly support to Lespwa Timoun’s General Operating Budget
– Supported the continuing education for 24 Traditional Birth Attendants (midwives)
– Our partners, Lespwa Timoun, trained 218 nursing students at the clinic
– Donated and Distributed over 350 Clean Birthing Kits
– Community Health Classes educated Haitian families on sanitation, disease prevention, and the importance of breastfeeding
– Our North Carolina partners supported the Road to Crochu and Bouzi water projects, both projects consist of joint Haitian- American teams
-Partnering churches across the Southeast hosted events such as Hope for Haiti 5K, Crochu Classic Golf Tournament, and A Brighter Haiti, to raise awareness and funds for our partners
– Began researching projects such as a new nutrition wing, new vehicles, and electronic medical records
2017
– Over 25,000 patients seen by Lespwa Timoun Staff and Mission Teams
-Over 10,000 Malnourished Children screened in Nutrition Program
– Partners around the southeast hosted events, such as the Crochu Classic, Hope for Haiti 5K, and A Brighter Haiti Auction, to raise funds and awareness for our partners in Haiti
– Launched the Child Sponsorship Program
– 9 Mission Trips with 67 volunteers
– Supported continuing education for 24 Traditional Birth Attendants (midwives)
– Donated and Distributed over 500 Clean Birthing Kits
– more than 10,000 men, women and children educated at Community Health Classes
2016
-over 20,000 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 Boucan 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
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.
DR. CHARLES DUNN
President
Springfield, MO
PASTOR BRAD MAULDIN
Vice President
Atlanta, GA
WELDEN JOHNSTON
Treasurer
Mount Pleasant, SC
NANCY HAGOOD
Secretary
Sullivan’s Island, SC
DR. JEANNE FOURRIER
Pawley’s Island, SC
JENNIFER HARRISS
Edenton, NC
MIKE HUBBARD
Birmingham, AL
BISHOP TJ JOHNSTON
McClellanville, SC
PAUL MCCLUNG
Atlanta, GA
DON PHILLIPS
McClellanville, SC
MARY WHITE
Pawley’s Island, SC
JOHN WRENN
Mount Pleasant, SC