The
Association Haitienne de Dévelopement Humain/Haitian
Association for Human Development, Inc., (A.H.D.H.) is a
501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in November 1986
by a group of Haitians in New Orleans who decided to pool
their professional, intellectual, economical and cultural
resources in order to
-
Promote the welfare of Haitians by contributing to and/or
instituting humanitarian programs (health, education, hunger
etc..) in Haiti and in Louisiana.
- Share the Haitian cultural heritage with the community
of Louisiana by participating in local cultural traditions
and/or by creating our own cultural events (art exhibits,
theatre, documentary, films, radio/television programs,
celebrations of our Independence Day, Flag Day etc.).
For
too long, deplorable statistics have stigmatized the first
Black Republic without any substantial improvement. In the
Western Hemisphere, Haiti still has the lowest income per
capita ($240), the highest illiteracy rate (76%), the highest
infant mortality(130/1000 live births) and a life expectancy
of 48 years. We know this reality can change if enough concerned
individuals are involved and A.H.D.H. wants to provide the
opportunity.
We
never fantasized about the possibility of solving all these
problems but we have set some reasonable goals, and those
goals have been expanded along the years as we met more
and more successes, enjoy the support of more and more people
from Haitian as well as American communities, moved by the
same ideals of making this world a better place to share
resources and cultural diversity.
On
the cultural front, as the first free black nation in the
western hemisphere, we celebrate our Independence Day each
year on January 1 – our bicentennial anniversary was
on January 1, 2004 – Flag day on May 18th, is celebrated
with mass, Haitian artists, and Haitian/American scholars
speak on the Haiti-Louisiana extraordinary connection, e.g.
the contribution of Haiti to the Louisiana Purchase, etc.
On the health front, we organize health fairs in New Orleans,
and channel our fellows in need through the US health care
system.
In
Haiti, in 1986, we joined forces with a very well organized
local Haitian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), CODEVA
(Coude-a-Coude pour le Dévelopement Valleen), with
its U.S. based sister organization, Fraternite Valleenne,
and our medical mission in Haiti is today expanding by leaps
and bounds. See Medical Care
We
remain very excited about A.H.D.H’s impact on the
Haitian community in Louisiana and in Haiti.
We
welcome suggestions and new members. As a member you will
have the opportunity to enjoy cultural exchange and educational
activities while contributing to a humanitarian cause. For more information go to haitiahdh.org