The ZWAZO Story
An Alliance For The Vulnerable
Haiti has had a rough history of poverty and political unrest. In 2010, a massive earthquake shook the foundation of the small country, leveling it’s already crumbling infrastructure to the ground. In the wake of such a disaster, Haitian children became even more vulnerable, many of them orphaned by parents who either died or abandoned them. Their care has fallen to community members as the Haitian government continues to rebuild social services 10 years later.
In 2013, Matt Pierce began working on public health projects in Haiti. His first assignment being in Leogane, at the epicenter of the devastating earthquake of 2010. There he met and worked directly with the Saintonge Family, who helped him to see the most vulnerable people in the community. Over the last 7 years, a strong and enduring partnership has made a real and personal difference for the children of Haiti.
Integrated Women Of Haiti
A grassroots, native – Haitian organization that keeps a close eye on children in their community. Their mission for the past 8 years has been to identify and care for the vulnerable children in their community through medical care, education, and simple acts of service. Their leader, Gina Saintonge, has been instrumental in organizing projects for the children.
Matt Pierce
Creator of ZWAZO, Matt has been working in Haiti, with Integrated Women of Haiti (IWH), since 2014. Matt has spent a significant amount of time living and working in Haiti and knows the children in IWH’s community very well. He knows how vulnerable they are and is a passionate advocate for their well-being. He is a public health professional, medical provider, and is fluent in Haitian Creole.
