5 Minutes of Hope — May 2026
5 Minutes of Hope
Education & medical access in hard places
Your Donations in Action
This Month’s Story
Rose’s Journey to Becoming a Doctor in Haiti
Rose Evelyn Pierre came to live at the Cambry Children's Home in Les Cayes, Haiti at the age of two. She describes her childhood there as stable and supportive, with a caring house mother and a group of 11 children growing up together. Her biological mother remained part of her life and visited when she could but her father passed away when she was very young. From early on, Rose did well in school, but she did not see a path to her dream of becoming a doctor. “I didn’t think it would ever be possible financially,” she said, “but I believed in myself that I could.” That belief took shape one day when she was serving meals to a visiting Give Hope team and met Roger Braswell. He was struck by her kind eyes and her exceptional English. As they began to talk, she shared her dream of becoming a doctor and Roger was so impressed with her that he challenged her to apply to medical school and promised to provide the funding if she was accepted.
Rose was indeed accepted and Give Hope stepped up to fund her education. She began her medical studies in Port-au-Prince, where she lived from 2017 to 2023. During that time, the city experienced increasing instability. Rose remembers traveling to class through protests, seeing burning tires in the streets, and dealing with frequent class cancellations. Despite the uncertainty, she continued. Having her brother in the city helped provide stability and a place to live.
The most difficult part of her training came during clinical rotations, when she began working directly with patients. “That’s when you see the reality,” she said. She recalls treating families who could not afford basic care and witnessing doctors and nurses step in personally, paying for food and medication out of their own pockets so treatment could continue. Those experiences left a lasting impression and shaped the kind of doctor she hopes to be. Even during the most difficult moments, she stayed focused on finishing. “There were many people counting on me,” she said. “I could not give up.”
After years of study, Rose reached that milestone she once thought was out of reach. “When I went to pick up my diploma and saw it, I cried,” she said. Roger may have also shed a few tears reflecting back to that afternoon in the dining hall at Cambry ten years ago when he first met Rose and felt moved by her obvious potential.
She has now completed both her coursework and her required year of service, where she worked in a clinic treating patients daily. Her experience reinforced both the need for accessible care and the barriers many families face. She shared the story of a mother who brought in a severely malnourished baby. Rose helped guide her to a nutrition program and ensured she connected with the care needed to support her child’s recovery.
Rose recently traveled to Port-au-Prince to complete one of the final steps required to begin her career as a doctor in Haiti, securing her work permit. The trip itself reflects the current reality of the country. Because of ongoing security concerns, she traveled part of the way by boat. Once in the capital, she continued in a bulletproof vehicle through areas controlled by gangs. Along the way, she passed neighborhoods she once knew well, now marked by abandoned homes, empty streets, and buildings damaged by gunfire. “It was very sad,” she said. “I used to walk those streets when I was in medical school.”
Through her work, Rose has gained a deeper understanding of the health challenges facing the country of Haiti. She frequently saw cases of hypertension and gastrointestinal illness, often connected to diet and limited access to clean water. Many families rely on food prepared or washed in unsafe conditions, contributing to ongoing health issues. Access to care remains a significant obstacle, particularly for those living outside major cities.
Rose hopes to help address that gap. She and Dr. Esaie, who works with Give Hope Global, share a goal of opening a clinic in the Les Cayes area. Their vision is to provide care closer to home for families who currently have to travel long distances for treatment. At this stage, the vision is clear, but the resources are not yet in place. They do not yet have the materials or funding needed to secure a space or begin operating a clinic.
For now, Rose is focused on her next step, finding a position as a general doctor. While there are opportunities, she noted that hiring often depends on connections within the system.
When asked what she would say to those Give Hope donors who supported her education, her response was simple and direct. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said. “It would not have been possible without you. I am here because of you.” She also shared that she continues to pray for guidance as she begins her career, for safety, and for the opportunity to serve her community well.
Rose’s story is not just about what she has accomplished, it is about what is now possible. As she steps into her career, the need for accessible care in communities like hers remains urgent, and the opportunity to continue that impact is still ahead.
Hope in Action This Month
As Rose prepares to step into her role as a doctor in Haiti, work is already underway to support healthcare and education efforts in Ghana this summer.
In the coming weeks, Give Hope leaders will travel to Ghana to invest in local pastors through a leadership conference in Wenchi, Ghana, continuing the kind of relational work that strengthens communities over time. At the same time, preparations are ongoing for the July Impact Team, a group of 36 individuals who will serve across both medical and education initiatives. From rural clinics to classrooms, the focus remains consistent: equipping local leaders and expanding access where it is needed most.
Much of that work begins long before teams ever arrive. Supplies are being gathered now, including medical resources for clinics, materials for libraries and STEM learning, and items that will support children’s programs and pastoral gatherings. These are not extras. They are the tools that make the work possible on the ground.
This month, our Amazon Wishlist is helping meet those needs, allowing people to take part in the preparation in a tangible way.
Closer to home, that same mission continues to take shape. Give Hope was recently represented at The Freedom Foundation Golf Tournament through Shop Hope, where goods made by artisans in Haiti were shared. Every purchase continues to support students pursuing higher education, carrying the impact forward in a different but equally meaningful way.
There are many moving pieces, but they all point toward the same purpose.
A Moment of Hope
Before anything begins, there is preparation. Much of the work that changes lives is not seen in the moment. It happens quietly, as people gather what is needed, make intentional decisions, and choose to be part of something beyond themselves. Those moments rarely draw attention, but they are where lasting impact begins.
Be Part of the Story
Rose’s story is a reminder that access to care is built over time. It requires people, training, and the right resources at the right moments.
As teams prepare to serve in Ghana this July, those needs are already in front of us. Medical supplies for rural clinics, materials for classrooms and libraries, and resources for community and pastoral gatherings are all part of what will be carried into these communities.
You can be part of that preparation.
Visit our Amazon Wishlist to help equip the medical and education teams with what they need to serve well. Each item is simple, but together they make the work possible.
With Gratitude
Thank you for being part of the work that happens both seen and unseen. From students stepping into their calling to teams preparing to serve and communities being strengthened over time, your support continues to make a lasting difference. We are grateful to be part of this work together.
With appreciation,
Give Hope Global