About Us
Haven is an Irish non governmental, non political, non religious organisation working to build sustainable communities, through the provision of housing, and emergency relief and by implementing community development programmes in Haiti.
The organisation was founded in late 2008 and launched in 2009 by Leslie Buckley and his wife Carmel. Leslie's business interests brought him to Haiti for the first time in 2004. Appalled by the conditions in which the people of Haiti were and are living in, he set up Haven.
By training, up-skilling and employing local Haitian people throughout the year, Haven is creating jobs and encouraging local trade and industry. Schools, playgrounds, and community buildings are key elements of Haven's community building projects.
Since the earthquake hit Haiti's capital city, Port au Prince, on January 12th, 2010, Haven has been working in affected areas providing emergency relief to those most in need.
Training is a key element of Haven’s programmes, and critical to its success. To date Haven has trained over 3,000 Haitians in construction, agriculture, hygiene promotion, water and sanitation and solar power installation and maintenance.
Haven currently employs expatriate and local staff members who are based across Haiti, in Port au Prince, Gonaives, and Ouanaminthe on a full time basis.
To date, Haven has also brought over 1,300 Irish volunteers to Haiti to assist with the building of houses through their Build It Week programme.
In 2011, Haven opened an office in the US. See Haven US for more.
