OUR STORY
Founded January 2016
Lavi Project is a non-profit 501c3 charity organization that mobilizes volunteers to ease the suffering of disease, sickness and poverty while bringing hope, life and vision to the people of Haiti. We all want to help others, to make a difference, have an impact, and be part of something bigger than
ourselves. It doesn’t take much. Even a moment of generosity can become like a snowball rolling downhill.
In 2006 someone had a moment of generosity. Because they were unable to participate in an organized trip to Haiti, to help at an orphanage, they offered the trip, free of charge, to Bob Bancroft. That act of generosity became the proverbial snowball. This is probably one of the only snowballs that have survived Haiti’s high temperatures. It was thought to be a one-time trip, but Bob’s heart was captured by the people of Haiti - by their needs, their struggles, and mostly by their joy in the midst of how they were living. The snowball had begun to roll. One trip became twenty over the next ten years. Along the way Bob became a team leader, guiding groups of all shapes and sizes, including an unplanned trip to rescue and rebuild 10 days after the catastrophic earthquake in 2010.
Bob had a goal; he knew there were people in his life and professional sphere that had medical skills that would be of great value in Haiti. Sharing his heart with them, many felt the desire to have the same kind of impact. In January of 2016, Bob’s vision became a reality; an 18-person team to bring medical help to Haiti. By day two of this trip, the team was already talking about “next time” and what they could do to be of greater help. Now there were 17 more snowballs rolling as each person had their hearts touched by the people of Haiti and they too found a desire to make a difference in this country, referred to by a team member as “a beautiful disaster”. The stories and accomplishments of these people, along with a network of others who have the heart to help, ended up leading to the creation of a non-profit organization, Lavi Project, Inc. ( ‘Lavi’ in Haitian Creole means ‘life’). Below is a list of things that have been accomplished, as well as a list of visions for the future.
Accomplishments:
So the question is, “Do you want to be a part of the vision?” We need your help.
Here’s how:
In light of the devastating aftermath of the 2010 earthquake which is still affecting Haiti 12 years later, the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew (Oct. 2016), and Covid-19, we need your help. Would you please consider becoming a partner with us? We would consider it both an honor and a blessing.
With hope and vision for the future of Haiti,
Bob Bancroft,
Founder and President of Lavi Project, Inc.
Lavi Project • P.O. Box 2434 • Littleton, MA 01460 • (978) 855-6494
Founded January 2016
Lavi Project is a non-profit 501c3 charity organization that mobilizes volunteers to ease the suffering of disease, sickness and poverty while bringing hope, life and vision to the people of Haiti. We all want to help others, to make a difference, have an impact, and be part of something bigger than
ourselves. It doesn’t take much. Even a moment of generosity can become like a snowball rolling downhill.
In 2006 someone had a moment of generosity. Because they were unable to participate in an organized trip to Haiti, to help at an orphanage, they offered the trip, free of charge, to Bob Bancroft. That act of generosity became the proverbial snowball. This is probably one of the only snowballs that have survived Haiti’s high temperatures. It was thought to be a one-time trip, but Bob’s heart was captured by the people of Haiti - by their needs, their struggles, and mostly by their joy in the midst of how they were living. The snowball had begun to roll. One trip became twenty over the next ten years. Along the way Bob became a team leader, guiding groups of all shapes and sizes, including an unplanned trip to rescue and rebuild 10 days after the catastrophic earthquake in 2010.
Bob had a goal; he knew there were people in his life and professional sphere that had medical skills that would be of great value in Haiti. Sharing his heart with them, many felt the desire to have the same kind of impact. In January of 2016, Bob’s vision became a reality; an 18-person team to bring medical help to Haiti. By day two of this trip, the team was already talking about “next time” and what they could do to be of greater help. Now there were 17 more snowballs rolling as each person had their hearts touched by the people of Haiti and they too found a desire to make a difference in this country, referred to by a team member as “a beautiful disaster”. The stories and accomplishments of these people, along with a network of others who have the heart to help, ended up leading to the creation of a non-profit organization, Lavi Project, Inc. ( ‘Lavi’ in Haitian Creole means ‘life’). Below is a list of things that have been accomplished, as well as a list of visions for the future.
Accomplishments:
- Volunteers mobilized to help ease the suffering of disease, hunger, and poverty in Haiti
- 20+ medical clinics held in small villages in Haiti helping over 6000 men, women, and children
- A comprehensive study of vitamin deficiency and malnutrition in children under 5 by a University of Lowell senior in the Nutrition Department
- Ongoing shipments of barrels filled with medical supplies, food, clothes, shoes, and various other items
- Meeting with the head of the Nutrition Department at the University of Lowell in hopes of utilizing students to help assess and treat nutritional issues and deficiencies in Haiti, collaborating with Middlesex Community College, Lowell MA to bring RN students to the country.
- Ongoing networking and fact-finding trips by the CEO, Board of Directors, and Sub-Committee leaders to broaden the reach and influence of the Lavi Project
- Reaching significant donors and corporate sponsorship for the future endeavors of the Lavi Project.
- Launching a Sustainable Work Program to support our medical work
- Partnering with and heading the child sponsorship program of Bousol Timoun(pr. boo-sol, tee-moon) orphanage caring for over 60 children
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- The board is working closely with Franceli and reaching out to partner organizations to navigate this new social/political climate. Preliminary work and logistics for teams 6,7,8, are underway. Lavi Project is committed to being READY TO GO to Haiti as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Continue to send teams to help ease the suffering of disease, hunger, and poverty in Haiti
- Continue to ship barrels to Haiti with medical supplies, food, clothes, shoes, etc.
- Utilize the students of local universities from both the Nutrition Department and the Agriculture Department to help assess and treat nutritional issues and deficiencies in Haiti
- Increase our sustainable work programs in vital areas such as clean water, agriculture, alternative power solutions, and Haitian-based business solutions for orphanages and families.
So the question is, “Do you want to be a part of the vision?” We need your help.
Here’s how:
- Monthly support to continue the work and vision of the Lavi Project*
- A one-time donation to meet the specific and urgent needs of Haiti and the current projects Lavi Project, Inc. is working on*
- Sponsoring a ‘snowball’ (a team member who is traveling to Haiti)*
- Sponsoring a Sustainable Work Project
- Sponsoring Bousol Timoun Orphanage
In light of the devastating aftermath of the 2010 earthquake which is still affecting Haiti 12 years later, the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew (Oct. 2016), and Covid-19, we need your help. Would you please consider becoming a partner with us? We would consider it both an honor and a blessing.
With hope and vision for the future of Haiti,
Bob Bancroft,
Founder and President of Lavi Project, Inc.
Lavi Project • P.O. Box 2434 • Littleton, MA 01460 • (978) 855-6494