Our Founders

“Education is the foundation for the children’s future.”

- Deneka desroches

Dear Zanmi,

I am Deneka Desroches, Co-Founder and Board President of the Ayiti Cheri Foundation (ACF), which my husband Caleb Desroches and I founded together in 2019. ACF was born from our shared passion for education and a deep, personal connection to the challenges faced by Haitian communities both in the U.S. and in Haiti.

Caleb grew up in the countryside of Haiti, the son of uneducated farmers. His parents worked tirelessly to provide for their family despite having never had the opportunity to attend school. From a young age, Caleb understood that education was the key to a better life. With determination and resilience, he pursued learning as a path out of poverty, an experience that deeply shaped our mission at ACF.

My own inspiration comes from my father, a Haitian immigrant who struggled in America due to his lack of education. Born into poverty and living with a speech impediment, he was never able to attend school in Haiti. As the eldest child, I became his translator and advocate, helping him navigate the challenges of building a life in the United States while learning English and working to support our family.

Together, Caleb and I established ACF as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to education and cultural activities for children and adults in New Orleans, Camp Perrin and St. Marc, Haiti. Through literacy programs, school supplies, and uniforms, ACF seeks to close the education gap for low-income families, empowering children to thrive despite the systemic poverty around them.

Our mission is to eradicate poverty in Haiti by making education accessible to every child, while also strengthening the connection between the Haitian diaspora and families of Haitian descent. We aim to build a bridge that uplifts communities on both sides of the ocean—supporting youth, preserving cultural identity, and expanding opportunity for generations to come.

With your support, the Ayiti Cheri Foundation can continue to give children and families the tools they need to succeed. Thank you in advance for your generosity and commitment to helping us reach our goals.

Deneka Desroches
President