Lespwa fè Viv: Hope Sustains Life

Our Roots in Haiti

Communication Cellulaire d’Haiti—now known as Voilà—launched its mobile communications network in Haiti over a decade ago. Since then, Voilà has coupled its commercial success in the marketplace with meaningful investments in the welfare of the Haitian people. Initiatives spanning from grassroots to nationwide projects are executed in the name of Fondation Voilà (the Voilà Foundation)—focusing on educational opportunities for Haiti’s youth. In December 2009, Trilogy International Partners, Voilà's parent company, received the prestigious Award for Corporate Excellence from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in recognition of Voilà’s record of corporate social responsibility in Haiti.

In response to the heightened need for relief efforts following the tragic earthquake of January 12, Voilà and Trilogy have registered the Voilà Foundation as an independent 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity in the United States. One hundred percent of the contributions received by the Voilà Foundation will be applied to programs that are focused on Haiti’s reconstruction; all of the foundation’s operating costs will be borne by Voilà and Trilogy International Partners.

Since the earthquake, the Voilà Foundation has raised nearly US$2 million in addition to the US$3 million committed by Voilà and Trilogy.

Our Mission

The January 12 earthquake devastated Haiti. More than 200,000 Haitians were killed, more than a million are homeless, the government’s offices have collapsed, and Port-au-Prince—Haiti’s capital city—lies in ruins. Despite these trials, Haitians remain resourceful, resilient, and hopeful. They recognize that Haiti has reached a critical moment in its history; with help from donors from around the world, they are determined to create their country anew and to set it on a path toward sustainable prosperity.

The Voilà Foundation intends to play a vital role in helping the Haitian people rebuild their nation.

We will work with the Haitian government, the United Nations, representatives of the United States government, and other donor nations, as well as leading NGOs, to fund initiatives that provide immediate relief to the homeless and injured and to underwrite programs that will deliver lasting social benefits.

Education & Youth: We will maintain educational opportunity as a long-term priority. Today, Haiti’s illiteracy rate is 60 percent, but Haitians know that their future rests in the hands of their children, and they are passionate about providing them with the skills they need to rise above the poverty that has crippled their country.

Technology: We will strive to couple our grant-making activities with donations by Voilà of communications technologies and services. Wireless communications are powerful tools for productivity, learning, and entrepreneurship: applied intelligently, these tools can deepen the impact of aid programs immeasurably. We are also eager to enlist the active participation of Voilà’s personnel. As Haitians, Voilà's employees are personally invested in their country’s recovery.

Partnerships: We will team with professional, well-managed foundations and NGOs with experience in responding to complex emergencies and natural disasters. We will continue Voilà’s and Trilogy’s practice of defining projects carefully and ensuring that funds are disbursed in accordance with clear project milestones.

Projects

We will update this Web site with news of Voilà Foundation grants and initiatives as they are announced. Please click here for a summary of projects previously funded by the foundation.

Robin Padberg, Voilà General Director hands over the $70,360 check to Daniel Kedar of PRODEV

Voilà Foundation and Cher team up to support Haiti’s Youth Education

The Voilà Foundation donated $70,360 to support the efforts of PRODEV, a Haitian organization, which has built and staffed 14 tent-city schools in Haiti with more being planned. The program serves children who would otherwise be unable to continue the school year due to the destruction of their schools. Classes are held in tents around displaced people camps throughout Port-au-Prince, with skilled, paid instructors, who have undergone special psychological training. The teachers follow a specialized curriculum developed to meet the educational, emotional, and social needs of the children who range in age from 4 – 14.

The Voilà Foundation donated $50,000 and matched the $10,180 raised by Cher, who auctioned off the original Bob Mackie gown she wore to the Golden Globes. Congratulations to Deborah of Stamford, CT who provided the winning bid!