Skip to content
United In God's Work
  • User Login
  • Donor Login
  • |
  • cart
  • |
  • Search
  • |
  • Call Us(800) 427-9104

Food For The Poor

Donate Now
Give Monthly
Donate Now
Give Monthly
About Us
Close
  • Leadership
    • Leadership
    • Browse Leadership
    • Ed Raine

      President & CEO

    • Mark Khouri

      EVP & Chief Operating Officer

    • Vivian Borja

      EVP & Chief Marketing Officer

    • Nicolás Argüello

      EVP & Chief Strategy and Impact Officer

    • Gail Hamaty-Bird

      EVP & General Counsel Officer

    • Jeff Alexander

      EVP & Chief Administrative Officer

    • Arlene Velazquez

      EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer

    • Sheila Hanlon Ravindran

      EVP & Chief Information Officer

  • Annual Reports
    • Annual Reports
    • Browse Annual Reports
    • 2024 Reports

      Annual Reports

    • 2023 Reports

      Annual Reports

    • 2022 Reports

      Annual Reports

    • 2021 Reports

      Annual Reports

    • 2020 Reports

      Annual Reports

    • 2019 Reports

      Annual Reports

    • 2018 Reports

      Annual Reports

    • 2017 Reports

      Annual Reports

  • Financial Information
    • Financial Information
    • Browse Financial Information
    • 2023 Financials

      Audited Satements

    • 2023 Form 990

      Public Disclosure

    • 2022 Financials

      Audited Statements

    • 2022 Form 990

      Public Disclosure

    • 2021 Financials

      Audited Statements

    • 2021 Form 990

      Public Disclosure

    • 2020 Financials

      Audited Statements

    • 2020 Form 990

      Public Disclosure

  • Problems We Solve
    • Problem We Solve
    • All Problems We Solve
    • Escaping Poverty

      10 Anti Poverty Focus Areas

    • Food Insecurity

      Malnutrition & Undernutrition

    • Running Water

      Lack of Running Water

    • Lack of Healthcare

      Serving Remote Communities

    • Community Development

      Sustainability

    • Intergenerational Poverty

      Education

    • Insufficient Income

      Economic Empowerment

    • Emergency Relief

      Natural Disasters

  • Your Impact
    • Your Impact
    • Your Impact
    • 943 Million Meals Served

      Between 2019 and 2023

    • 11 Thousand Houses Built

      Between 2019 and 2023

    • $3.2 Billion Worth of Aid Distributed

      Between 2019 and 2023

    • 15 Thousand Aid Containers Shipped

      Between 2019 and 2023

  • Where We Serve
    • Where We Serve
    • All Countries We Serve
    • Bolivia

      Country

    • Colombia

      Country

    • Dominican Republic

      Country

    • El Salvador

      Country

    • Grenada

      Country

    • Guatemala

      Country

    • Guyana

      Country

    • Haiti

      Country

    • Honduras

      Country

    • Jamaica

      Country

    • Panama

      Country

    • Peru

      Country

  • Purpose
  • Why FFTP?
Help Now
Close
  • Gift Catalog By Category
    • Gift Catalog By Category
    • Gift Catalog By Category
    • Feed a Family

      Food Assistance

    • Housing Essentials

      Home Assistance

    • Safe Water

      Access to Water

    • Economic Sustainability

      Micro Enterprise

    • School Supplies

      Education

    • Health

      Medical Supplies

    • Father’s Day

      Special Occasion

    • Mercado Global

      Empowering Through Sewing

  • Make a Difference
    • Make A Difference
    • See All Gifts
    • Urgent Needs
      • Urgent Needs
      • Help a child
        • Help a child
        • Feed a Child for a Year
        • Make a monthly Donation
        • Angels of Hope
      • Help a family
        • Help a family
        • Make a monthly Donation
        • Feed a Hungry Family for a Month
        • Donate 100 pounds of Beans and Rice
      • Disaster Relief
      • Urgent Assistance
    • Micro Enterprises
      • Micro Enterprises
      • Agriculture Tools
        • Agriculture Tools
        • Donate Agricultural Tools
        • A Gas tiller for farming
      • Farm Animals
        • Farm Animals
        • 20 Chicks for a family
        • 3 Piglets for a family
        • Donate a Goat to give milk
      • Sewing
        • Sewing
        • Donate a Sewing Machine
      • Fruit Tree
        • Fruit Tree
        • Donate a Fruit Tree
    • Education
      • Education
      • Supplies for a child
        • Supplies for a childs
        • School Supplies for a Child
        • A School Desk and Chair
      • Clothing
        • Clothing
        • Clothing and Shoes for Children
      • Computer
        • Computer
        • A Computer Station
    • Health
      • Health
      • Newborn Kits
      • Medical Supplies
      • Birthing Kits
  • Angels of Hope
    • Angels of Hope
    • Browse Angels of Hope
    • What is AOH?

      Learn about our program

    • Get started

      Sponsor a child

    • How it works

      Programs and Process

    • Write to your child

      Build rapport with a child

    • AOH Brochure

      View or print our AOH brochure

    • FAQs

      Angels of Hope Questions

  • Major Donation
    • Major Donation
    • Browse Major Donation
    • Our Pledge To Donors

      Donors

    • How you help

      Our work

    • Major Giving

      Giving

    • Corporations and Foundations

      Business to Business

    • Legacy and Gift Planning

      Legacy

    • Donor Advised Funds

      DAF

  • Other Ways to Help
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Browse Other Ways to Help
    • Champions for the Poor

      Become a Champion

    • Employer Matching Gift

      Employer Match

    • Donate Stocks

      Donate Securities

    • Donate Crypto Currency

      Give the Gift of Hope

    • Combined Federal Campaign

      CFC #10328

    • Employer Contribution Campaign

      Company Contribution

    • American Express Reward Points

      Donate Reward Points

    • Community Selling on Ebay

      Ebay - Giving Works

    • Shopping for a Cause

      Ebay - Giving Works

    • Charity Choice

      Gift Cards

  • Become A Volunteer
  • Urgent Projects
    • Menu
    • Browse Urgent Projects
    • Bring Hope to Las Queseras

      Bring Hope to Las Queseras

    • Bring Lifesaving Care to Haiti’s Most Vulnerable

      Bring Lifesaving Care to Haiti’s Most Vulnerable

    • Empower Families in Primera Joya

      Empower Families in Primera Joya

    • Support School Feeding and Health in El Salvador

      Support School Feeding and Health in El Salvador

  • How We Help
    • How We Help
    • Browse How We Help
    • Ring the Bell

      Education Assistance

    • Good Things Come in Trees

      Food Sustainability

    • Change a Life Today

      Help a Family

    • Life is Sweeter with Honey

      Micro-Enterprise Bees

    • Generation of Hope

      Mirco-Enterprise Farming

    • God Gives Strength

      Nola's Story - Testimonial

    • Faith Over Fear

      Maria's Story - Testimonial

    • A New Community Center

      Coming Together

Resource Center
Close
  • News
    • News
    • Browse News
    • Coconut Creek nonprofit stepping up to send aid to Haiti-nbcmiami.com

      Coconut Creek nonprofit stepping up to send aid to Haiti-nbcmiami.com

      MIAMI, FLA. (Mar. 13, 2024) “In response to the escalating violence in Haiti, organizations in South Florida are working to provide aid to families in need. Food for the Poor in Coconut Creek has everything from food and water to medical equipment, ready to go the politically unstable country, but organizers say they are running […]

    • South Florida mobilizes aid amidst escalating violence in Haiti- caribbeannationalweekly.com

      South Florida mobilizes aid amidst escalating violence in Haiti- caribbeannationalweekly.com

      DAVIE, FLA. (Mar. 14, 2024) “As violence continues to grip Haiti, organizations based in South Florida are mobilizing efforts to provide much-needed assistance to affected families. Among them, Coconut Creek’s Food for the Poor stands ready with essential supplies ranging from food and water to medical equipment.” To read the full article, click here.

    • OA raises $1,500 for Honduras Project-news.yahoo.com

      OA raises $1,500 for Honduras Project-news.yahoo.com

      GREENSBURG, IND. (Feb. 19, 2024) “Oldenburg Academy has announced the success of its recent fundraising efforts during Catholic Schools Week. The OA community collected funds to contribute to the construction of 52 single-dwelling homes in the village of Cucuyagua, Honduras… “It is always delightful to witness the spirit of giving within our OA community as we endeavor […]

    • Starr Computers partners with NGOs to enhance education in Berbice-guyanachronicle.com

      Starr Computers partners with NGOs to enhance education in Berbice-guyanachronicle.com

      GUYANA (Feb. 19, 2024) “IN a bid to fortify educational resources in the Berbice community, Starr Computers has made a significant stride by donating Smart Labs to two pivotal institutions:- the Guyana Police Force Academy Berbice Campus and the New Amsterdam Technical Institute. This philanthropic endeavour, in collaboration with Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. […]

    • Food For The Poor, Starr Computers and St Francis Collaborate to Donate IT Labs to Region Six-stabroeknews.com

      Food For The Poor, Starr Computers and St Francis Collaborate to Donate IT Labs to Region Six-stabroeknews.com

      GUYANA (Feb. 19, 2024) “Food For The Poor (Guyana) Inc (FFTP) in partnership with Starr Computers and St Francis Community Developers donated two new upgraded Information Technology Labs to Region Six. According to a press release, the labs, located at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute and the Guyana Police Force Training Academy, represent a significant […]

    • Obituary: Father Gary Norman-dcourier.com

      Obituary: Father Gary Norman-dcourier.com

      PRESCOTT, AZ (Feb. 7, 2024) “Father Gary Norman, a senior priest of the Diocese of Yakima, who was being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following an auto accident and subsequent stroke Jan. 22, died on Jan. 31, 2024, at the medical center. …Father Norman was 79 and had been living in Prescott, […]

    • An agreement signed between Taiwan and Food For the Poor Haiti for the donation of 8240 tons of rice-tripfoumi.com

      An agreement signed between Taiwan and Food For the Poor Haiti for the donation of 8240 tons of rice-tripfoumi.com

      HAITI (Jan. 27, 2024) “A memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday, January 26, 2024, between Taiwan and Food For The Poor Haiti for the donation of 8,240 tons of rice. Several personalities, including the Taiwanese ambassador, Wen-Jiann KU, the Executive Director of Food for the Poor Haiti, Mario Nicoleau, took part in the signing […]

    • Neida Sandoval celebrates links with Cepudo and Food For The Poor in San Pedro Sula-elpais.hn

      Neida Sandoval celebrates links with Cepudo and Food For The Poor in San Pedro Sula-elpais.hn

      HONDURAS (Feb. 2, 2024) “The renowned Honduran journalist, Neida Sandoval, during her visit to the industrial capital of Honduras, San Pedro Sula, celebrated, together with authorities from the Municipality of Sampedrana, her connection with the Cepudo and Food For The Poor organizations.” To read the full article, click here.

    • Haiti’s Crisis: International Aid and Security Discussions Amid Human Rights and Political Unrest-bnnbreaking.com

      Haiti’s Crisis: International Aid and Security Discussions Amid Human Rights and Political Unrest-bnnbreaking.com

      HONG KONG (Jan. 27, 2024) Throughout 2023, the human rights landscape in Haiti has been profoundly marred. According to human rights defender, Gérald Guillaume, a shocking 155 rapes were recorded in the department of Grande Anse, with an overwhelming 139 involving minors. This distressing statistic is a stark reminder of the depth of the crisis […]

    • San Pedro Sula Mayor’s Office Awards Recognition to Journalist Neida Sandoval-tiempo.hn

      San Pedro Sula Mayor’s Office Awards Recognition to Journalist Neida Sandoval-tiempo.hn

      HONDURAS (Feb. 2, 2024) “Neida told Diario Tiempo that she was very happy with the reception she received from the San Pedro Sula mayor’s office. …in addition, she assured that she accepts the commitment to be an ambassador for Food For The Poor and CEPUDO.” To read more, click here.

  • Press Release
    • Press Releases
    • Browse Press Releases
    • Nativity Catholic Church’s “Operation Starfish®” Makes Largest Gift Ever To Help FFTP Build New Homes in Haiti, Clinics in Honduras

      Nativity Catholic Church’s “Operation Starfish®” Makes Largest Gift Ever To Help FFTP Build New Homes in Haiti, Clinics in Honduras

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 27, 2025) – For the parishioners of Nativity Catholic Church, supporting Food For The Poor (FFTP) and its mission is a spiritual quest, rooted in their desire to help vulnerable children and families in Latin America and the Caribbean. That spirit of love and generosity was on display Thursday when the […]

    • Orlando Donors Help Build Hope in Haiti: Homes and Community Center Rising in Patasson

      Orlando Donors Help Build Hope in Haiti: Homes and Community Center Rising in Patasson

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 25, 2025) – In the face of an escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti, hope is taking root in the remote community of Patasson, where construction is underway on new homes and a much-needed community center provided by donors to Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) 25th Annual Celebration of Hope Gala last […]

    • Faith in Action: Indiana Church Reaches $1 Million Goal to Build New Community in Honduras

      Faith in Action: Indiana Church Reaches $1 Million Goal to Build New Community in Honduras

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 16, 2025) – Thanks to the unwavering dedication of parishioners at St. Mary’s Church in Greensburg, Ind., and the generosity of their partners, a once-distant dream is becoming a reality for families in Cucuyagua, Honduras. Food For The Poor (FFTP) is celebrating the fully funded construction of a new community – […]

    • Creating Lasting Hope: How FFTP Helps Families Build Stable Lives at Home

      Creating Lasting Hope: How FFTP Helps Families Build Stable Lives at Home

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 11, 2025) – In rural Colombia, families once faced an impossible choice: comply with the demands of armed groups or risk their lives. Growing illicit crops wasn’t a way of life they chose freely – it was about survival. Today, that story is changing – one berry and one shrimp at […]

    • Food For The Poor Annual Report Highlights a Year of Milestones

      Food For The Poor Annual Report Highlights a Year of Milestones

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 3, 2025) – Food For The Poor (FFTP), one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, provided more than $367 million in aid in 2024, delivering vital support to communities across Latin America and the Caribbean. The impact, made possible through the generous support of its […]

    • North Broward Prep Students Raise Funds to Build a School in Honduras

      North Broward Prep Students Raise Funds to Build a School in Honduras

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 2, 2025) – Fifth-grade students at North Broward Preparatory School turned the page on their reading assignment and opened a new chapter for children in Honduras by raising about $45,000 to build a school in partnership with Food For The Poor (FFTP). The initiative was sparked by the students’ reading of […]

    • Food For The Poor’s Hope Fest Invites Community to See Charity Up Close on Saturday

      Food For The Poor’s Hope Fest Invites Community to See Charity Up Close on Saturday

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (May 1, 2025) – Food For The Poor (FFTP) is welcoming the South Florida community from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday for Hope Fest, an event with building tours, children’s activities, food trucks, and mission-driven fun. The event will take place at the charity’s Coconut Creek headquarters, 6401 Lyons Road. Admission […]

    • Hurricane Preparedness Week: FFTP Prepositions Critical Relief Supplies Ahead of Hurricane Season

      Hurricane Preparedness Week: FFTP Prepositions Critical Relief Supplies Ahead of Hurricane Season

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 28, 2025) – When Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica as a Category 4 storm last July – bringing a wave of deadly destruction barely a month into hurricane season – Food For The Poor (FFTP) and its partners were ready. Weeks before the season began, FFTP had hundreds of disaster preparedness kits […]

    • Hope Fest on May 3 Kicks Off Week of Compassion Ahead of Food For The Poor Day

      Hope Fest on May 3 Kicks Off Week of Compassion Ahead of Food For The Poor Day

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 22, 2025) – For many children in Honduras, the chance to run, learn, and dream without pain is out of reach. This year, Food For The Poor (FFTP) is taking bold steps to change that. With the theme “Health Fuels Dreams,” FFTP is launching a special campaign for Food For The […]

    • Food For The Poor Restores Dignity and Freedom Through Prison Ministry Program

      Food For The Poor Restores Dignity and Freedom Through Prison Ministry Program

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 17, 2025) – This Holy Week, 53 prisoners walked out of prison as living testaments to compassion, mercy, and the power of second chances, thanks to Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) Prison Ministry Program. With support from generous donors, the charity paid the fines of nonviolent offenders in Haiti and Guyana, […]

  • Participate
    • Participate
    • Browse Participate
    • Become A Champion

      Be a Fundraiser

    • Events

      In person fundraiser

    • Mission Trips

      How to Join

    • Mission Trips

      Upcoming Dates

    • FAQs

      Mission Trip Questions

    • Testimonials

      Reviews

    • Facebook

      Social Media

    • Ready to Travel

      Travel Info.

  • Blogs
    • Blogs
    • Browse Blogs
    • The Benefits of Safe Homes for Children

      The Benefits of Safe Homes for Children

      A safe home offers more than four walls and a roof. It can provide a haven where children dream, grow, and begin to shape their futures. But for millions of children in Latin America and the Caribbean, this essential need is lacking, as half the population lives in unsafe housing, many without access to safe […]

    • Bringing Life and Opportunity to Peruvian Cacao Farmers

      Bringing Life and Opportunity to Peruvian Cacao Farmers

      Transforming Lives Through Cacao Farming In the lush, green heart of Peru’s Ucayali region, something extraordinary is happening. Hundreds of Peruvian cacao farmers are turning the fruits of their labor into lasting change, and it’s all thanks to a powerful combination of innovation, fair trade partnerships, and a deep love for the land. The goal […]

    • How Agriculture Unlocks Food Security for Families in Latin America and the Caribbean

      How Agriculture Unlocks Food Security for Families in Latin America and the Caribbean

      Boosting Food Security: Sustainable Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean Imagine waking up at dawn every day, working in a corn or bean field from sunup to sundown, and still not having enough to feed your children. This is the heartbreaking struggle for many families across Latin America and the Caribbean. They are hardworking […]

    • Be Prepared: 5 Principles That Drive Emergency Response Efforts

      Be Prepared: 5 Principles That Drive Emergency Response Efforts

      Emergencies can upend lives in an instant, especially for families already struggling with poverty. Natural disasters, conflict, and health and humanitarian crises can erase livelihoods, destroy homes, and push communities deeper into despair. When crisis strikes, emergency response can mean the difference between survival and devastation. Having the right plans and resources in place can […]

    • Health Care Access in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Lifeline for Families in Poverty

      Health Care Access in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Lifeline for Families in Poverty

      Why Health Care Access for Families in Poverty Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean Families living in poverty urgently need health care access in Latin America and the Caribbean. When individuals are struggling in poverty, gaining access to health care is nearly impossible. Parents face so many challenges to find basic medical treatment for […]

    • Water and Sanitation: A Lifeline for Health and Sustainability

      Water and Sanitation: A Lifeline for Health and Sustainability

      Clean water and proper sanitation are more than just essential resources. They are powerful forces for change, creating the foundation of public health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Yet, millions of people still lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This crisis only fuels the spread of diseases, hinders education, and deepens poverty. […]

    • Cultivating Hope: Empowering Women Through Training and Economic Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean

      Cultivating Hope: Empowering Women Through Training and Economic Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean

      How Food For The Poor Transforms Lives by Equipping Women With the Tools for Sustainable Success In the heart of Latin America and the Caribbean, the challenges of poverty often fall heaviest on women. Yet, when equipped with the right tools and opportunities, women can become powerful agents of change in their communities. Food For […]

    • 4 Essential Ways Capacity Building Drives Community Development

      4 Essential Ways Capacity Building Drives Community Development

      According to The United Nations, community development is defined as “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” It’s a means of bringing people together to identify challenges and create solutions that drive lasting change. [1] But true transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It is cultivated by empowering […]

    • Share Your Blessings: Provide Hope This December

      Share Your Blessings: Provide Hope This December

      Year-End Giving: Transform Lives, Spread Hope December is a time of reflection, gratitude, and giving. It’s a season that invites us to open our hearts and extend love to others. In this blog, you will: • Discover the power of year-end giving and the impact it has on children, families, and communities across Latin America […]

    • Three Ways Unity Through Giving Empowers Positive Change

      Three Ways Unity Through Giving Empowers Positive Change

      In a world filled with division, unity through giving emerges as a powerful force for positive change. When we share our time, talent, and resources, we forge connections that transform lives. Giving isn’t just about charity, it’s a catalyst for shared strength. It is generosity in action. The very act of giving is an act […]

  • Radio
    • Radio
    • Browse Radio
    • Radio Logo

      LARRY

      Radio

    • Radio Logo

      ANONY COLLAGE

      Radio

    • Radio Logo

      FFTP donor audio_Sarah 16yo

      Radio

    • Radio Logo

      anitra-water-appeal-_UPDATE

      Radio

    • Radio Logo

      Paul Water Story

      Radio

    • Radio Logo

      RLP-Mary-Lourde-Story

      Radio

    • Radio Logo

      Radio-Landing-Page-11

      Radio

  • Video
    • Videos
    • Browse Videos
    • Default YouTube Thumbnail

      Bringing Life and Opportunity to Peruvian Cacao Farmers

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcnduVrVHaA

    • Default YouTube Thumbnail

      Building Resilience: Disaster Preparedness

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dhGDr_-fjE

    • Default YouTube Thumbnail

      How Treated Water Improves Lives

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7j3C2pPnU4

    • Default YouTube Thumbnail

      Unsafe shelter

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jADopyExWcY

    • Default YouTube Thumbnail

      Be Like Tessanne

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4EgHujg5Qs

    • Default YouTube Thumbnail

      Beekeeping in Jamaica

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vtaUmAAPvg

    • Default YouTube Thumbnail

      Carla, an Angel Of Hope

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3dbT8wqzXw

    • Default YouTube Thumbnail

      5 Great Projects

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3Ucr_Z33Hs

  • Prayer
    • Prayers
    • All Prayers
    • Prayer Service

      Prayer Service

    • Answered Prayers

      Answered Prayers

    • The Power of Faith

      The Power of Faith

    • Prayer Wall

      Prayer Wall

  • Church Alliances
    • Church Alliances
    • Browse Church Alliances
    • Host a Speaker

      Church Alliances

    • Host a Virtual Speaker

      Church Alliances

    • Become a Clergy Speaker

      Church Alliances

    • Raise Awareness

      Church Alliances

    • Fund a Project

      Church Alliances

    • Transform a Community with Sustainable Change

      Church Alliances

    • Join a Coalition

      Church Alliances

    • Get Youth and Children Involved

      Church Alliances

    • Take a Clergy Mission Trip

      Church Alliances

    • Support a Twin Parish

      Church Alliances

    • Church Expansion

      Church Alliances

    • Pray with Us

      Church Alliances

  • Podcast
  • Media Kit
  • Careers
Stay Connected

Stay Connected

Receive inspiring stories, exclusives updates, and opportunities to help families in need

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Gift Catalog

Lesly Clervil Interview

November 22, 2021August 5, 2024 FFTP Digital
lesly

We recently we sat down to chat with FFP’s Haiti Project Manager and all-around-great-guy, Lesly Clervil.

Lesly Clervil posing with schoolgirls in Haiti.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background and how you ended up here at FFP?

I was born in Petionville (outside Port-au-Prince). I grew up in Haiti, and I got a 4-year degree in accounting and 2-year degree in business admin. I went to high school at Jean Price Moss, and college at Quisqueya University (which was destroyed in the earthquake). After that I had 10 years of banking experience. I was a branch manager for 5 years with Unibank and Soca Bank. Moving to America, I had started with a Masters program in Accounting at Broward College when I got hired by FFP.

Well, I was trying to get FFP-Haiti as one of my clients (laughs), and I made some connections with the HR director at the time. By knowing them I became aware that they had a position open for a chief accountant. They didn’t hire me at first. After that, I moved to the U.S. in 2006, and started working at the Westin Diplomat Hotel as a Housekeeping Supervisor managing a team of 10 for 7 months, then I moved to Walgreens as an Assistant Manager and spent a year working there.

Then I got connected to a friend who worked with FFP, so we came to visit the office here in Florida. I met the people here, I met Robin and I started keeping in touch with them. I sent in my resume and 6 months later, they had an opening.

At the time, I was hesitating over whether or not to return to Haiti. I wasn’t sure where I fit in. But getting a job with FFP was a gate for me to a new life to do a very useful work and also save and improve my credentials.

I was hired first as a project coordinator, then I got promoted to project manager. They needed someone who knows the reality of the country of Haiti, someone who’s able to share with people the reality of the situation and relate to the Haitian people.

Q: How has the transition been from the world of finance and banking to what you’re doing now?

For me, the transition has been very useful and painful.

The work I do now is painful in that FFP takes me back to see things I didn’t really think about very much when I lived there in Haiti and really being more sensitive. Seeing the dark side of where you’re from and the suffering of my people was very hard to endure.  It’s was very sad to see these things, and to hear people’s comments about my country, and my people – who I identify with myself.

But now we have the opportunity to help these people and change their lives and circumstances. This is where I feel proud being a Haitian to bring hope to them through the mission of FFP and its generous donors.

It is useful in that I’m learning a lot myself in the work I’m doing, it’s a good opportunity for me to learn things in a different domain I never experienced which allows me to  improve my administrative skills  and be  more confident with myself.

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?

I’m a very good dancer (laughs)! I’m a people person, I love talking, I’m a jovial type and most importantly a true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. This job suits me well because I get to interact with all sorts of people and have the chance  to collect so much wisdom and patience.

lesly-juggle

A man of many talents.

Q: Tell us one or two things most Americans probably don’t know about Haiti.

Most Americans don’t realize Haiti was the first black country. We got our freedom in 1804, we also fought with the U.S. in Savannah, GA against the British. One of our most famous soccer players was Emmanuel Sanon.

Haitians are fighters and will strive to survive under whatever the circumstances.

Q: Are there any trips or experiences in the field that personally impacted you the most, or was the most emotional for you?

Oh yeah. The most emotional trip was the one after the earthquake. I was there 2 days after the earthquake. Six of my family members perished in the quake. I stayed almost two weeks, sleeping in cars. First of all I was helping FFP to clear aid they were sending at the airport through Fedex and Spirit Airline. I was also looking for a way to get the bodies out of the rubble.

After a week, my brother and I connected with some local guys who could help clear rubble and find people. They had no tools or equipment, only hammers and shovels, and they were using plastic bags as gloves and put toothpaste under their noses to kill the smell as the bodies started decomposing after a week.

It was definitely the hardest time of my life for I had to be able to identify them.

Q: How would you describe how far progress has come in Haiti since the earthquake, and what are your hopes for your homeland in the coming years + decades?

We do have some progress. I would say the rubble has been mostly cleared. We have less people living in tents. FFP has been building a tremendous amount of homes in places like Z’orange, Croix-des- Bouquets, Leogane, Thomazeau and the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.

Most importantly in the countryside, where a lot of the poor people live and were displaced after the quake, we build a lot of homes. From Cap-Haitien, to Port-de-Paix, to Fort Liberte, we are helping people. Even just a couple months after the quake, FFP was building 200 homes a month in Port-au-Prince and in Cap-Haitien. The need is still obvious as you are driving around Port-au-Prince, but we believe that one family at a time, everyday, a difference is being made.

Being a Haitian, I’d like to see a complete unity and understanding of the people regarding the country itself. Working together for a better Haiti that really all Haitians should be proud of.

I want to see things that I know can be done in Haiti like building highways, good roads, having electricity 24 hours a day, a real agricultural program that will support farmers to feed the country, and jobs for unskilled and skilled people to fight against poverty.  Haiti is only 27,500 sq kms , if we really understand the challenge and start working in that direction,  together all that can happen.

Q : Can you give us a good Kreyol phrase to impress our friends with?

Ampil mem, chay pa lou.

(With a lot of hands, nothing is heavy).

lesly


Posted in Our Team
Tagged interviews, Lesly

Blog For The Poor

Blog For The Poor showcases uplifting stories from the field, project updates and insights into Food For The Poor’s work throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Impact In Your Inbox

Thank you for joining FFTP!

Subscribe today to get inspiring stories sent directly to you.

SIGN UP
Number Example: 1234567890
SUBMIT

Recent Blog Posts

  • The Benefits of Safe Homes for Children
  • Bringing Life and Opportunity to Peruvian Cacao Farmers
  • How Agriculture Unlocks Food Security for Families in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Be Prepared: 5 Principles That Drive Emergency Response Efforts
  • Health Care Access in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Lifeline for Families in Poverty
  • Water and Sanitation: A Lifeline for Health and Sustainability

*ANIMAL HUSBANDRY: Food For The Poor has ongoing animal husbandry and apiary programs that support impoverished families and communities. The funds that are raised from animals and bees in this catalog are used to support the aforementioned programs.

**HOUSING: Because of the size and need of the average family, for $9,800, we build all houses with two bedrooms and a living area, sanitation and a water component, a cooking area, a sink, furnishings, lighting and structural elements to withstand severe weather conditions. You will receive a Certificate of Appreciation with a photograph of the family in front of their secure and comfortable home.

Food for The Poor
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Linkedin

About Us

  • Why Food For The Poor?
  • Purpose
  • Leadership
  • Financial Information
  • Newsroom
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Help Now

  • Give Monthly
  • Child Sponsorhip
  • Legacy and Gift Planning
  • Corporations and Foundations
  • Major Giving
  • Other Ways to Help

Our Work

  • Problems We Solve
  • Where We Serve
  • Your Impact
  • Donor Pledge
  • Projects

Resources

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Security
  • Fundraising Disclosures
  • FAQ
  • Site Map
  • Español
Faithful Stewards
Platinum Transparency 2022 - Candid.

Food For The Poor is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Contributions are tax-deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
Tax ID: #59-2174510

6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073-3602 USA
800-487-1158
© 2024 Food For The Poor