Resilience in the Face of Chronic Illness: Kesna’s Story
Kesna Mesidor, a 54-year-old woman from the island of Île-à-Vache, has spent her entire life surrounded by the beauty of the beaches and fishing communities. But living 6 miles off the coast of Les Cayes brings tremendous challenges, especially when it comes to accessing essential healthcare. Kesna has battled asthma since childhood, a condition that often leaves her struggling to breathe.
“When I have an asthma attack, I feel really unwell. Sometimes, I can’t recognize anyone and start speaking incoherently. It’s like my lungs are full, and I can’t breathe at all,” Kesna shares.
As a single mother of three, Kesna faces the added challenge of managing her health while raising children, two of whom also suffer from asthma. The situation is even more difficult living in a remote area with limited access to medical care, and each asthma attack becomes a frightening race to reach Les Cayes for treatment, often requiring a perilous boat ride. For the past 15 years, Hope for Haiti has provided a lifeline to Kesna and her children, offering them access to life-saving medications, regular check-ups, and essential education on managing asthma.
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Recent Program Updates
Here, Financial Literacy Trainer Rodney leads a session for 78 students (39 girls and 39 boys) at one of our partner schools in Ravine Sable. The objective of the training is to help the students make informed decisions about their day-to-day finances and expenses, setting them up for better financial security.
15-year-old Zamy is the sixth of nine children from a family in southern Haiti. When she became very ill and her family couldn’t afford the diagnostic procedure, the Hope for Haiti Referral Program stepped in. Read more>>
Upcoming Events
Interested in learning more about our work and how you can get involved? Join us for a Virtual Information-Sharing Session with Hope for Haiti CEO Skyler Badenoch and more team members on Friday, July 11, at 12 p.m. EST via Zoom. To RSVP, please email taylor@hopeforhaiti.com.
This August and September, join us for Buckets of Hope, a national fundraising campaign benefiting Hope for Haiti’s clean water efforts through its WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) program.
Returning for its highly anticipated second year, Vineyards in the Valley is a wine-tasting event featuring a curated selection of ultra-premium, highly allocated boutique wineries. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of wines, enjoy upscale hors d’oeuvres, and bid on exclusive items and experiences. Early bird tickets are on sale now!
Save the date for our Annual Luminary Gala in Naples, Florida, on February 21, 2026. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets coming soon!
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