Updates
January 26, 2021
2021 is an important year for us. This October will mark the 20th anniversary of the What If Foundation — the moment we became a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the children and families in Ti Plas Kazo. Our founder, Margaret Trost shared a vision with the legendary Father Gerard Jean-Juste after her first trip to Haiti and took a leap of faith. …Read more
December 24, 2020
2020 has been a year of twists and turns, but having made it to the end, I find myself counting its blessings. For me, the greatest of these was being selected in April to serve as the Executive Director of the What If Foundation. The What If Foundation began with a single yet powerful question that ignites my heart 20 years …Read more
November 26, 2020
It is my immense privilege to introduce you to Wadner Pierre, not only a new member of the What If Foundation Board of Directors, but an important representative of our past and our future. Wadner was a devoted supporter of Father Jean-Juste and you may remember his name credited to the many photos we have shared of Father Jeri. …Read more
October 7, 2020
Defying all expectations, Haiti seems to have been spared from the worst of the coronavirus so far, with infection numbers and death rates far below predictions, even when considering inaccurate reporting (health experts are still investigating why). But the economy, already in an inflation spiral from social and political unrest, is suffering heavily. Much like the earthquake in 2010, the …Read more
July 10, 2020
Dear Friend of the What If Foundation, As a donor, you have stood in solidarity with our friends in Haiti, bearing witness to their determination, heart, and incredible capacity to stretch resources beyond expectation. Today, our partners tell us they need our help: “Haiti is facing a famine.” The cases of coronavirus are rising exponentially in Haiti, fueled by the …Read more
June 21, 2020
I join my prayers to yours that justice and peace can flow like waters around the world. May these streams bring a green season where love shall prevail on earth.” Father Gerard Jean-Juste The past few weeks have been heavy, shocking, disorienting. Painful to witness and difficult to process. Senseless acts of violence against Black Americans continue to emerge every …Read more
Videos
Life at the Fr. Jeri School (2019)
Our Founder’s story and the birth of What If Foundation (2014)
Building a Dream (2012)
Post-earthquake feature by KQED (2010)
Early days of the Food Program (2007)