We are SPHASH
SPHASH finances the HAS children’s clinic and its affiliated social services, the Tienne health center, and mobile clinics in the remote mountain regions of the country. To carry out its projects, it relies on financial support from partner organizations and private individuals around the world. People like you make this possible. Donate now!
SPHASH is a member of MEDICUS MUNDI SWITZERLAND, the network for international cooperation in healthcare. As a recognized non-profit organization, it is tax-exempt, meaning that all donations are tax-deductible in Switzerland.
The people behind SPHASH
The work of the board members is carried out on a voluntary basis. This means that administrative costs are very low and the majority of income from membership fees, donations, and charity events goes toward projects at the hospital.
Board
Franziska Maibach
Executive Director
Benjamin Simeon
Chair
Sabrina Bätschmann
Deputy Chair
Corina Roth
Secretary
Dr. med. Urs Näf
Treasurer
Birgit Gast
Pierina Maibach
Michelle Mehli
Dr. med. Severin Meili
Dr. med. Rolf Maibach
Thomas Niklaus
Raphaela Maibach
Honorary President
Our Story
In the spring of 1996, Raphaela and Rolf Maibach visited the Albert Schweitzer Hospital (HAS) in Haiti for the first time. Katharina Nelz, the long-standing head physician of the children’s clinic there, who has since passed away, sparked their interest with her reports. Bill Dunn, the former director, who has also passed away, finally invited the couple to Deschapelles. Deeply impressed by the work at HAS and the lives of the local population, they couldn’t just stand by and watch; they immediately got to work, Raphaela as a lab technician and Rolf as a pediatrician.
The spirit of Deschapelles and the memory of numerous encounters with the hospital’s founder, Gwen Mellon, have stayed with them ever since.
After their first experience at the HAS, Raphaela and Rolf quickly realized that they didn’t just want to do volunteer work. In July 1997, they founded the Graubünden Partnership Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, Haiti, to provide conceptual, personnel, and material support to the hospital.
The name was changed to Swiss Partnership HAS Haiti in May 2015, after it became clear that the small Graubünden idea had gained nationwide support.