What We Do Changes Lives
We can’t do everything, but we’ll do anything! Foundation for Peace works hand in hand on health, education and community initiatives in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Kenya. Our flexible partnership approach lets us say “yes” to communities’ greatest needs, leading to new opportunities and lasting relationships.
Education
Education can change the trajectory of people's lives. FFP meets people where their needs are and is involved in many facets of education including:
- Providing supplies
- Paying teacher salaries
- Sponsoring students
- Providing teacher workshops
- Building schools
- Partnering with government education departments
And we don’t just focus on educating young people, we include adults too!
“You didn’t send us food that only lasts a day. You send us education and that lasts a lifetime!”
Ralph Lapointe, Former Mayor, Ganthier, Haiti.
We are grateful to partner with Complexe Educatif Men Nan Men in Ganthier, Haiti. Students from middle school to senior citizen can choose to learn from programs that include English, Spanish, computers, business, entrepreneurship, cooking, sewing, electricity and tiling.
Schools in the Dominican Republic. For years there were not enough schools in the DR and tuition for the schools that did exist were often out of reach of families in need. FFP built 9 elementary schools to meet these needs and supported them through student sponsorship, teacher training, supplies and more. The Dominican government started achieving its commitment to spend 4% of the GNP on education several years ago and the public education system has expanded dramatically. FFP still supports public schools for the underserved population in Ensanche Quisqueya and El Batey.
Schools in Kenya. The Tumaini School, in Mathare North, Nairobi, Kenya is an outreach of the Living Word Church, a partner of FFP. Children from very impoverished circumstances receive an excellent education (based on national exams) at an affordable cost. FFP offers medical care and sponsorships for these children. We are working together to build a junior high school that will expand the Tumaini school! The ByGrace Academy in Ngong on the outskirts of Nairobi was founded by Rosemary and Stephen Mbogo. Together we completed many projects, including building a primary school and offices, digging a well and building a basketball court. The student body has grown from 23 students in 2007 to over 1,000 in 2025.
Health and Wellness
Health and wellness is a cornerstone of our ministry. In the communities where we work, most people do not have access to affordable, dependable care. Our nursing/medical mission teams, local medical staff and FFP staff provide critical health screenings in schools, health education, acute care, medicines and access for free to marginalized communities. Types of services include:
- Direct patient care with medicine for common diseases
- Medicines (OTC and prescription for common ailments)
- Vitamins (Children, adults and prenatal)
- Health education and prevention activities
- Medical supplies (e.g. wound care)
- Referrals to local medical system
- Construction of medical clinic buildings
- Partnership with government health departments
- Follow-up for high risk cases
Center for Health and Wellness in Ensanche Quisqueya, DR: We are opening a health facility to fill gaps that exist in the surrounding community, including health education programs, basic health care, dental care, physical therapy, speech therapy and behavioral therapy. Visiting medical professionals will also offer services to specific populations.
House of Light in Las Americas, Dominican Republic: House of Light or Casa de Luz is an orphanage for children with multiple-handicaps, many abandoned by families who could not care for them. Mission teams and FFP staff help to improve the children’s care, including construction projects, donations of medicines and funds for supplies and specialty care.
Mathare North slum, Nairobi, Kenya. Life is tough in the slum, especially for those with HIV/AIDS. On our trip, we work hand in hand with volunteer care givers from the Living Word church, joining with them to help care for families by providing medical care, food, encouragement, hope and healing for the patients and caregivers. Starting in 2025, we are providing funding for a gifted local physician to give medical care on a monthly basis in the slum as an outreach of the Living Word Church.
Community Partnerships
Focusing on the needs of the community is at the heart of what we do. After a community prioritizes their needs, we find ways to partner with them to address those needs. This results in long-term partnerships and sustainable projects. We do not have a cookie-cutter approach but rather work by the motto: “We can’t do everything, but we’ll do anything!”
- Construction of churches, community centers and medical clinics
- Home construction and repair
- Sanitation projects including latrines and clean water system installation
- Care of orphans and people with disabilities
- Food distributions
- Community playgrounds
- Response to natural disasters occurs in many forms
Mathare North, Nairobi, Kenya. The Living Word church is addressing the education, health, economic and spiritual needs of their community. We have had the privilege to partner with them to construct a community center that will provide meeting rooms, a library, medical clinic and space for business start-ups. In addition, we partner to offer medical care and educational seminars for the community at large and funds for business start-ups.
Pantoja, National District, Dominican Republic. We were invited to build a church in the community by Pastor Mesa. Once the church was built, the community told us they needed a new public school. By working together hand in hand, we replaced the 2 room wood structure that packed in 200 children with a 2 story concrete building with 10 classrooms educating over 400 students. Then the community showed us their lack of a clean water supply. Again, working together, we installed a clean water system that dramatically decreased the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. Over time, the partnership yielded significant benefits for the community.
City of Ganthier, Haiti. This small town is west of Port-au-Prince, about half-way to the Dominican Republic. Like many remote towns in Haiti, they grapple with security, education and healthcare needs. Through our work at Complexe Educatif Men Nan Men, we have been able to provide regular medical care, medical education, street lights to provide increased security and more. Our partnership with the local government and community leaders has enabled an ongoing collaboration that improves the lives of the community.