Reiser Relief

Father Bernard Reiser Memorial School

Help us Honor a Legacy and Build a Brighter Future in Haiti. We are excited to announce our Give to the Max Day 2024 goal: to raise $165,000* to build a school in Cite Soleil named after Father Bernard Reiser.

Completed school will look similar to this.

Donations by mail or other methods are also welcomed with gratitude! Please include "Father Reiser School" in the memo to designate your gift.

The Need

Haiti’s education system has long faced significant challenges. Lack of access to education has led to a literacy rate of just 61%. Those attending often face overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities, and a lack of resources. In Cité Soleil, where insecurity is high, it is critical that schools are located close to children’s homes to ensure they can walk there safely. 

We believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, empowering the next generation, and building a stronger Haiti.

Our Vision

To build and operate the Father Bernard Reiser Memorial School in Projet Drouillard, one of the poorest areas in Cité Soleil, Haiti, providing a Christ-centered education for 190 children. The two building facility will include six classroom, offices, a kitchen, and a dining room, replacing the current cramped, rented space. 

The school will: 

• Offer education for ages 8-17, from beginners to 5th grade, reaching children who missed early enrollment. 
• Provide clean water and sanitation. 
• Serve as a hub for community and religious programs. 
• Empower local Haitian partners to oversee the project and operations. 
• Honor the legacy of Father Bernard Reiser, a Minnesota priest who, after a life-changing visit to Haiti in 1996, committed himself to alleviating the suffering of the poor and sharing Christ's love with all.

Future site of school

Why Support Us?

• Strong Partnership: The construction will be managed by Sister Paesie*, on land owned by the Archdiocese of Port au Prince and gifted to the Kizito Family, a religious order based in Cite Soleil. 
• Proven Track Record: Reiser Relief has successfully completed three similar project in Haiti, directly impacting over 1,000 children. 
• Transparent and Accountable: 95% of every dollar goes directly to the project, and we provide regular updates to donors. 

*Sister Paesie, born in France, made her final vows to join the Missionaries of Charity in 1996 and moved to Haiti in 1999. In 2017, with a calling to protect, feed, educate and evangelize to the poorest children in the ghettos of Port au Prince, Sister left the Missionaries of Charity to begin a new religious community called the Kizito Family.  Sister remains under her vows as a Missionary of Charity. “I have personally been very touched by reading the biography of Father Reiser and have long desired to name one of our schools after him, so he can be more present in our ministry with the children.”

Join us in building hope and opportunity for Haiti's future!

About Us

We empower and engage the people of Haiti, in Christ's name. 

We partner with religious sisters, clergy, and lay people on the ground in Haiti to accomplish our mission focusing on education and care for the elderly and vulnerable.