History

In 1982, Peter Cunningham came to Haiti with a group of volunteers from the San Francisco area. They first worked at Mother Theresa's hospice in the La Saline slums of Port au Prince, and later at a hurricane-destroyed Baptist mission and clinic called Siloé, in Jacmel on the southeast coast. Doris Clark, who had been a Peace Corps volunteer working as a nurse in Cité Soleil joined the team in 1985. With the help of volunteers, the Siloé clinic and school were repaired, and the group turned their attention to other projects.

Peter Cunningham, Siloé    

Although Haiti experienced a period of turbulence after 1986 when Jean Claude Duvalier was deposed, the Siloé volunteers continued to raise funds to support projects in Haiti. PAZAPA was established in 1987 with Jane MacRae as director and efforts were focused on helping handicapped children in Jacmel and the southeast area of Haiti. Over the years, PAZAPA has grown and diversified its programs with support from U. S., international and Haitian organizations and sponsors.

    Jane MacRae, PAZAPA