About

“Lespwa” kreyol for “Hope”

There is a Haitian proverb, “Sa je pa wè, kè pa santi.” What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t feel.

Using the power of photography, Lespwa Haiti is a photo-documentary project created to communicate stories of tragedy and hope with the goal to engage new audiences and build support for non-profit organizations working in Haiti.

Images of Haiti and its people are the heart of the project, and the work of two professional photographers who have volunteered their talent and time to champion organizations working to recover and rebuild in post-earthquake Haiti. Photographs taken of non-profit programs are donated back to each organization for use in effective fundraising. Lespwa images are also being featured in awareness and fundraising events as well as photography and art exhibitions.

The Lespwa team has traveled to Haiti three times since the January 2010 earthquake and has photographed and donated images back to more than six non-profit organizations in the last year.

Our Team

Colby Brown is a professional photographer and freelance photo-journalist specializing in nature, travel and humanitarian photography. In 2009, Brown founded The Giving Lens, a non-profit organization that uses photography to raise awareness and funds for organizations working to combat social, economic and development issues around the world. Brown was a photography instructor for National Geographic Student Expeditions and is currently working on a project for the National Park System in the United States. Brown’s clients have included: The Sierra Club, the Red Cross, National Geographic, and San Antonio Express News to name a few. In addition to his client work, Brown often donates his services to non-profit organizations while in the field. You can see more of his work on his site at: colbybrownphotography.com

Ray Tollison is currently a photographer for World Relief documenting its programs in the United States and around the world. In 2009, Tollison traveled to Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, and Rwanda. His first assignment to Haiti was immediately following the earthquake when he was sent to document World Relief’s disaster relief efforts. After experiencing such overwhelming destruction and despair, Tollison felt compelled to return to Haiti to continue his efforts to communicate the great needs of the country. He is also the co-founder of Think Compassion a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to children attending primary school in Rwanda. You can see more of his work on his site at pixelpooch.com

Melissa Connor Basta is a Fort Collins, Colorado resident who lived and worked in Haiti for three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer and employee (1996 – 2000).  She has traveled extensively for work both in the United States and abroad as a public relations professional. With a great appreciation for Haiti and strong ties to friends living and working in the country, Basta supports the project by facilitating in-country travel, communication with participating NGOs, language translation.