“We’re on a mission to redefine aid” – Priscilla Zelaya (Co-Founder of P4H Global)
P4H: Global formerly know as Projects for Haiti Inc. is a 501(c3) nonprofit organization. It was founded July 6, 2011 by Bertrhude Albert, Ph.D. and Priscilla Zelaya, Ph.D. in Gainesville, Florida during their undergraduate years at the University of Florida.
The organization is challenging the approach to poverty from charities and humanitarian groups by redefining how we view and participate in aid. The organization seeks to partner up with the Haitian people educationally and vocationally. It invests their knowledge and efforts into the people, empowering them to rise above their circumstances. In other words, “training people to transform nations.”
“Training people to transform nations”
What makes P4H Global different?
“We aid differently “ says Berthrude Albert Co-founder of P4H Global. “We are not only focused on providing immediate relief but we connect that need to long term development of the people. As an organization we understand that relief is important but that is only part of the story.”
Their initial trip to Haiti in 2011 served as an eye-opening experience for the organization. It was then the paradigm shift took place and their initial outlook on poverty and aid changed. The team recognized their good intentions could have detrimental effects in Haiti. Their impact needed to be met with a greater purpose. They no longer wanted to participate in a cycle that perpetuated stagnant development in Haiti, and undermined the dignity of the people.
How Faith Influenced Their Organization
As Christians, they held Christ as the prime example of how to treat people. His ministry was the solid foundation on which they built their organization. With the verse from Micah 6:8 engraved on their hearts they sought to “seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with their God.” Their website states that they knew seeking justice meant moving past seeing Haitians as an object of sympathy. They knew seeking justice meant using their hearts and minds when helping.
“Seek justice, love mercy, walk Humbly with their God” Micah 6:8
“We are called to remind people that regardless of where they are from and the circumstances they live in, they are created in the image of God and that they are to be treated with dignity.” The organization assists the people of Haiti in recognizing and developing their God given potential. “We’re putting the developmental needs of the Haitian people above the self-gratifying desire to help” says Berthrude.
“We’re putting the developmental needs of the Haitian people above the self-gratifying desire to help.”
Ways To Be Involved
P4H Global achieved great success in Gainesville, Florida and desires to partner up with many more individuals in extending their mission. “We want the people of Central Florida community to have an impact on Haiti too.” There are many ways to be a part of this great organization. In efforts to create mutually benefiting partnerships, P4H Global offers opportunities where participants not only impact Haiti but they are impacted by the experience as well.
Impact Trips are the most effective ways to share Haiti with the world, changing perspective towards Haiti and introducing the concept of sustainable development. It is through these trips that P4H Global redefines aid. They offer various workshops such as Health Education, Youth Leadership and Development, activities for the kids, English Workshops and other training that focuses on the development of the people. The next impact trip dates are set for: March 3 – 9, 2018 for UF students and residents in Gainesville and March 10-16, 2018 for those attending the University of Central Florida and those interested throughout the Central Florida region.
P4H Global impacts the nation directly by training teachers and educators through their annual Educators Professional Development Conference. “Train a teacher, raise a nation” says Co-Founder Berthrude Albert. These sessions help teachers create high quality environments in which the success of their students is inevitable. The sessions during the conference focus on classroom management, self-reflection and student monitoring.
We are eager to see where God is leading this amazing team next. Haiti was just the beginning, a cornerstone to the work ahead for P4H Global. They’ve achieved so much success in Haiti and plan on implementing their module throughout other countries as well.
For more information about P4H: Global visit their website at https://p4hglobal.org/If you’re interested in participating in one of P4H Global’s Impact Trips, Service Trips, or you are a group that is interested in traveling with P4H Global please contact Priscilla Zelaya at priscilla@p4hglobal.org
About the Author
Roseberline Porcenat
Roseberline is an alumna of the University of Central Florida. She has a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on social/behavioral and biomedical sciences. She often participates in mission trips to advance The Kingdom and the health of vulnerable populations. She enjoys reading, cooking, and writing in her spare time. Read more about Roseberline’s passion for God and women at her blog: roseberline.wordpress.com