Partners with Sassier Zanmi Sasye: Engendering Hope, Creating Opportunity and Improving Lives in Haiti.

Partners With Sassier

Partners With Sassier (Zanmi Sasye) is a not for profit organization which partners with local groups in the Sassier area to bring hope, create opportunity and improve lives for the 10,000 inhabitants living here in Haiti. Since 2006, we have provided or facilitated more than $3 million in direct assistance and investment in the Sassier area. Our work builds upon and complements efforts begun in 1998 by Sacred Heart Parish in Winnetka, Illinois. We focus on four principal areas: education, healthcare, agriculture, and community & economic development.

7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southwest Haiti

Saturday morning, August 14 2021, Southwest Haiti was hit by a 7.2 Magnitude earthquake. There is heavy damage and reports of many dead and injured. We have heard from our friends in Sassier that the schools, rectory and clinic are still standing. The church was badly...

Our Focus

Agriculture

After several years of drought, the rains have finally returned to the greater Sassier area. The drought has resulted in five failed harvests, resulting in significant hunger for many people throughout the whole Grand Anse province, in which Sassier is located.

Education

Education is the Number One focus of parents in the Sassier community. Even though more than half of them cannot read or write, they are willing to sacrifice much to provide their children with the opportunity to break out of the cycle of poverty by getting a good education.

Healthcare

Haiti ranks near the bottom of almost every measure of healthcare. One of ten children die before their 5th birthday, maternal mortality rates are 10 time higher than in the US, and average life expectancy is less than 55 years (compared to nearly 80 years for many European countries).

7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southwest Haiti

Saturday morning, August 14 2021, Southwest Haiti was hit by a 7.2 Magnitude earthquake. There is heavy damage and reports of many dead and injured. We have heard from our friends in Sassier that...

Adopt a Sassier Student 2018

It’s September again…the sounds of children’s voices and laughter once again fills the hallways at the St Jean Baptiste Parish Schools in Sassier. More than 600 students from preschool...

News From Sassier: 2018 is off to a good start!

Zanmi Sasye's President, Gerry Keenan, is visiting Sassier this week and sent us the following update: The rainy weather of the past few weeks has cleared, so everyone's activities are back to...

2018 Building on Success

Happy New Year! Bonne Année! Bon Ane! We hope that your 2018 has started very well. We ended 2017 with a Huge Thank You for your support and dedication to helping our sisters and brothers in the...

Merry Christmas 2017

Thanks to all of you, there will be a joyful Christmas this year, fourteen months after Hurricane Matthew ripped through the Sassier area, leaving devastation and destruction in its path. Your...

Adopt A Sassier Student 2017

Adopt a Sassier Student 2017: Our Students Need Your Support! It’s September again…the sounds of children’s voices and laughter once again fills the hallways at the St Jean Baptiste Parish Schools...

Graduation Day in Sassier

Matthew Can't Defeat Us! Graduation Day in Sassier What a celebration for the 24 graduates of College Pierre Toussaint! Wish you could have been there. It would have been easy for the twenty four...

A Bountiful Harvest In Sight

A Bountiful Harvest In Sight Four failed harvests in a row have created desperate situations for farmers in the Sassier area. Nearly two years of drought and the devastation caused by Hurricane...

700 Meals A Day

700 Meals A Day Over 100,000 Meals Per Year! Jesus fed the 5000, and our team of skilled cooks feeds 700 students and staff at the Sassier Parish school about 150 days a year--over 100,000 meals a...

Rebuilding Roofs Rebuilding Lives

Rebuilding Roofs, Rebuilding Lives Our past few posts have focused on the farming aspects of our Agriculture Project. Helping our farmers regain their livelihoods after Hurricane Matthew is not...

P

About Us

Partners With Sassier (Zanmi Sasye) is a not for profit organization which partners with local groups in the Sassier area to bring hope, create opportunity and improve lives for the 10,000 inhabitants living here in Haiti.

P

History

Sassier is located about 160 miles west of Port au Prince, Haiti’s capital. It is in a remote area with no electricity, public water service, or other services we consider essential.

P

Accomplishments

2017: Restoration and rebuilding efforts continue; Bordes school completed; Agriculture Project works with 230 farmers and begins development of commercial orchard collaboratives

Statistics

Children Being Educated in Sassier Parish School (2014)

Classrooms in Sassier Parish School (vs one Classroom 2004)

Length of Gravel/Dirt Road Rehabilitated by Sassier Community in 2011

%

Percentage of Fully Certified Teachers in Sassier Public School (Compared to 0% 10 Years Ago)

Latest Updates from Sassier

7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southwest Haiti

Aug 14, 2021

Saturday morning, August 14 2021, Southwest Haiti was hit by a 7.2 Magnitude earthquake. There is heavy damage and reports of many dead and injured. We have heard from our friends in Sassier that the schools, rectory and clinic are still standing. The church was badly...

Adopt a Sassier Student 2018

Sep 20, 2018

It’s September again…the sounds of children’s voices and laughter once again fills the hallways at the St Jean Baptiste Parish Schools in Sassier. More than 600 students from preschool to 13th grade are very happy to be back in school. Almost two years...

Health Care in Haiti: Sassier Medical Clinic

Jun 5, 2018

Just a year ago, the Clinique Medical du Sassier (Sassier Medical Clinic) was inaugurated in a fabulous community celebration attended by Haiti's Minister of Public Health and representatives of the donors from the Winnetka area. The Clinic, staffed by a doctor, two...

Sustainable Agriculture: Breadfruit, Peppers, & Limes

May 25, 2018

Growing fruits and high value produce can provide significant and sustainable short and long term benefits for our farmers. Our Agriculture Project's primary focus is providing our farmers the capability, expertise and business frameworks that will enable them to...

Spotlight: Farmer Collaboration & Teamwork

Apr 19, 2018

Labasti Farmer Team collaborates to ensure a bountiful harvest Over the past year, we have been working with 230 farmers to help re-establish agriculture in the greater Sassier area. Our team, led by Agronomist Wisly Jasmin, has provided seeds, plants, tools, training...

Children with Empty Tummies Cannot Learn

Mar 16, 2018

Dedicated teachers throughout Haiti will tell you that one of their greatest challenges is students who come to school hungry. Younger children begin crying by 10 AM, asking for bread or other food. The eyes of older students glaze over about Noon, a...

Agriculture is Coming Back in Sassier

Feb 2, 2018

Agriculture is Coming Back in Sassier Agriculture is the primary business in the Sassier area, with almost every family involved in growing crops and raising animals. Rebuilding agriculture is key after the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in October...

News From Sassier: 2018 is off to a good start!

Jan 18, 2018

Zanmi Sasye's President, Gerry Keenan, is visiting Sassier this week and sent us the following update: The rainy weather of the past few weeks has cleared, so everyone's activities are back to normal as the sun shines on the Sassier area. 2018 is off to a good...

2018 Building on Success

Jan 12, 2018

Happy New Year! Bonne Année! Bon Ane! We hope that your 2018 has started very well. We ended 2017 with a Huge Thank You for your support and dedication to helping our sisters and brothers in the Sassier area back on their feet after Hurricane Matthew destroyed so much...

We'd love to hear from you!