Clean Water for Haiti

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. ”

— MATTHEW 25:35

As the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, Haiti has to deal with issues of poverty and water scarcity on a daily basis. According to a study conducted by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, only 55.2% of the population has access to an improved water source, while close to 70& percent does not have direct access to potable water. These figures, however, almost definitely overstate Haitians' access to improved water sources, since public systems are rarely available year round". HEART for the Nations saw this desperate need and decided to help the poorest in Haiti obtain clean potable water.

HEART for the Nations, formed in 2002 by Michelle and John White, is a non-profit working in Central America to distribute ceramic water filters. To date HEART has supplied clean water to over 20,000 children and adults in their home, in clinics, and in schools. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and the place that needs water the most.

Our first project in Haiti was in 2010 following the devastating earthquake. At that time we were able to purchase 50 water filters from a factory in the Dominican Republic and distribute them in the Port-Au-Prince area.  After our trip in 2019 to meet people, collect data, locate cities, organizations, and potters we shifted our efforts from Central America to Haiti which has the greater need.

Filter Facts.

Pictured is Pierre Petit-Friere removing a filter element from the kiln in Haiti. The filter element is an approximately 11” wide by 10” deep open-top clay cylinder which after firing is coated with colloidal silver, a well known microbicide which remains in the filter for years. The fired, treated filter is then placed in a plastic or ceramic receptacle with a lid and faucet. The filter holds up to 5 gallons of water, enough for a family of 8 and they last up to 5 years. Your donation of $40 will help one family in Haiti. 

  • Purifies water 99.95% pure

  • Removes e-coli, fecal coliform, giardia, parasites, and cholera

  • Used by the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and United States military in the middle east.

  • Tested and approved by MIT, John’s Hopkins University, and the CDC

  • Costs only $40 and lasts 5 years

HEART for the Nations has been aiding people in Central America since 2002. Our emphasis has been to supply water filters to those most affected by natural disaster, those without any indoor plumbing, and those living in extreme poverty. Up until now we have supplied ceramic water filters in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Myanmar, and Haiti.

Our Story

John & Michelle White with Pierre Petit-Frere from Haiti

American from left to right, Joanne Rivera, Michelle White, and Jean Schlegel with Mayan weavers from Maya Traditions in Santa Caterina, Guatemala.

We began distribution at the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala in 2003 working with a Fair Trade Organization called Maya Traditions. From 2003 - 2016 we distributed about 400 water filters to these Mayan Families.

Working with Mother Teresa’s organization in Guatemala in 2006, we distributed water filters to 50 families in Fr. Belesario’s Parish in Tamahoo.

Working in the Antigua, Guatemala area, we got to meet and visit with many families in their own homes who were associated with the God’s Child Project. We worked on many other projects including children’s book distributions in the public schools, working in Casa Jackson, Antigua refuge for dying infants, medicinal herb gardens in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan region and so much more.

These children, their families and their schools really need you. Please help them as you are able. Just $40 purchases a water filter for their home and will last them for 5 years. Any amount of a donation is a big help towards the purchase of a water filter. Go to our sister website for more information at www.heartforthenations.info.