Read the message of our head visionary leader to know more about us our goals and dreams.

Hebreu DessalinesDear Friend:

The idea of Lesage Foundation was born on February 15th, 2009. At 4:00 a.m., at Bethesda Memorial Hospital, a baby, the source of inspiration, was ready to come out. A big team, formed by doctors and nurses, equipped with all necessary monitoring devices, is watchful throughout the morning to avoid any complication.

In contrast, when I was born, more than 30 years ago, in Coridon, a little town of Haiti, not even gauze was available to the so-called midwife. In a small room, with no electrical power, barely lighted by a clear glass kerosene lamp, she managed to save my life. Believe it or not, same conditions prevail even today in Coridon: no hospital, no doctor, no nurse, and no electricity. Your support to this foundation is vital to help us save lives and build infrastructure in Coridon and surrounding areas that constitute the 2nd section of the commune of Anse-Rouge, Department of Artibonite.

Salt is the primary resource of this region and the number one source of income for the people. This section is the main solar salt producing area of Haiti. With proper equipment and support to the local producers, the 2nd section has the capacity to produce more than 1,000,000 metric tons of salt a year. Ironically, most people in that area are facing hardship.

Salt produced in this region can be used to help resolve two major public health problems facing Haiti. First of all, iodization of that salt can prevent iodine deficiency. Only 2.4% of the households have access to adequately iodized salt. About 7 million people are at risk of iodine deficiency diseases. Each year 25,000 newborns are unprotected from brain damage caused by iodine deficiency (reference: Iodine Network’s Advocacy Mission to Haiti). Iodine deficiency can be cheaply addressed by iodization of salt. Iodine deficiency causes mental retardation, thyroid gland problems, including endemic goiter, cretinism in children, and myxedema in adults.

Secondly, salt fluoridation can be used to reduce tooth decay when water fluoridation is not available in some regions. Tooth decay (dental caries) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. Therefore, when you donate to this organization you are helping the whole country of Haiti.

Lesage Foundation is governed by a simple idea: the welfare of others. We don’t know what our lives would be without the support of others. Helping is a powerful network to impact our world and decrease poverty. When helping one person, unknowingly you actually are helping hundreds of others. Jesus said, “As often as you did it for one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40). Please join our effort.
God bless!

Hebreu Dessalines
President & CEO
Lesage Foundation