About The HAIF

Driven by Compassion, Guided by Purpose

For over a decade, The HAIF has been at the forefront of creating sustainable change in communities worldwide. Learn about our journey, our values, and the dedicated team making it all possible.

Our Mission

To empower underserved communities through sustainable education, healthcare, and development programs that create lasting positive change and break the cycle of poverty.

Our Vision

A world where every person has access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities to thrive, regardless of their circumstances or geographic location.

Community members working together
14
Years of Impact

Our Journey

From humble beginnings to global impact - the story of The HAIF's growth and evolution.

2010

Foundation Established

The HAIF was founded by Dr. Sarah Mitchell and a group of passionate volunteers after witnessing the educational challenges in rural Kenya. Starting with a single classroom, we began our mission to provide quality education to underserved children.

2013

Healthcare Initiative Launch

Recognizing the interconnection between health and education, we expanded our programs to include mobile health clinics and community health education, serving over 5,000 people in our first year.

2017

Global Expansion

Our success in East Africa led to invitations from communities in South America and Southeast Asia. We established regional offices and adapted our programs to meet diverse cultural and environmental needs.

2020

Digital Innovation

The global pandemic accelerated our adoption of digital technologies. We launched online learning platforms and telemedicine services, ensuring continuity of our programs during challenging times.

2024

Sustainable Future

Today, The HAIF operates in 25 countries with over 200 staff members and thousands of volunteers. We continue to innovate and expand our impact while maintaining our core commitment to community-driven solutions.

Our Core Values

The principles that guide every decision we make and every program we implement.

Compassion

We approach every situation with empathy and understanding, recognizing the dignity and potential in every person we serve.

Integrity

We maintain the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in all our operations and relationships.

Collaboration

We believe in the power of partnership, working closely with communities, governments, and other organizations to maximize impact.

Sustainability

We focus on creating long-term solutions that communities can maintain and build upon, ensuring lasting positive change.

Excellence

We strive for the highest quality in everything we do, continuously learning and improving our programs and services.

Respect

We honor the cultures, traditions, and wisdom of the communities we serve, ensuring our programs are culturally appropriate and community-led.

Leadership Team

Meet the dedicated leaders who guide The HAIF's mission and strategic direction.

Dr. Sarah Mitchell
Dr. Sarah Mitchell
Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Mitchell founded The HAIF after 15 years as an international development specialist. She holds a PhD in Public Health from Harvard and has worked in over 30 countries.

James Okonkwo
James Okonkwo
Director of Programs

James oversees all field operations and program implementation. With 12 years of experience in community development, he ensures our programs meet the highest standards of effectiveness.

Maria Rodriguez
Maria Rodriguez
Chief Financial Officer

Maria brings 18 years of nonprofit financial management experience. She ensures transparent and efficient use of resources while maintaining the highest standards of fiscal responsibility.

Dr. David Chen
Dr. David Chen
Director of Health Programs

Dr. Chen leads our healthcare initiatives with expertise in tropical medicine and public health. He has established health programs in remote communities across three continents.

Aisha Patel
Aisha Patel
Director of Education

Aisha designs and implements our educational programs with a focus on innovative teaching methods and technology integration. She has trained over 500 teachers across our partner schools.

Michael Thompson
Michael Thompson
Director of Partnerships

Michael builds and maintains relationships with governments, corporations, and other NGOs. His collaborative approach has secured partnerships that amplify our impact globally.

Our Partners

We collaborate with leading organizations worldwide to maximize our impact and reach.

United Nations

Official consultative status with UN Economic and Social Council

World Health Organization

Collaborative partner in global health initiatives and emergency response

Gates Foundation

Strategic funding partner for education and healthcare programs

Local Governments

Partnerships with 25 national and regional governments worldwide

Corporate Partners

Microsoft
Google
Johnson & Johnson
Unilever
Mastercard
Cisco

Join Our Mission

Whether you're interested in volunteering, partnering with us, or supporting our work financially, there are many ways to be part of the The HAIF family.