Hope Through Health was created in 2004 through the experience and shared vision of brothers Thomas Fiori and Kevin Fiori, Jr. and colleague Dr. Peter Davenport. In December 2003 United States Peace Corps Volunteers, Kevin Fiori and Peter Davenport, began collaborating with a community of people living with HIV/AIDS in Kara, Togo called Association Espoir pour Demain-Lidaw (AED-Lidaw). With the help of Thomas Fiori and Dawn Fiori, this collaboration inspired the creation of Hope Through Health (HTH), a Massachusetts based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Upon Starting their service as Peace Corps volunteers, Kevin Fiori and Dr. Peter Davenport participated in a general meeting of 13 HIV/AIDS non-government organizations (NGO) based in Kara and decided in January 2004, to form a collaboration with Association Espoir pour Demain (AED-Lidaw). This colaboration initially consisted of primarily technical assistance. Mr. Fiori, noting there was no existing local model for treatment, conducted a search for possible models, guides, manuals, and tools in order to draft a collaboration plan. As a result, the initial collaboration plan drafts were influenced by the DOT-HAART approach pioneered by Partners in Health in Haiti (Lancet 2001 358, Paul Farmer). In addition, Mr. Fiori and Dr. Davenport conducted an initial assessment of AED-Lidaw using a document developed by John Snow, Inc. (JSI) called Tool to Assess Site Program Readiness for Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy and these results additionally shaped the collaboration plan.
In April 2004, following a complete organizational restructuring, AED-Lidaw members and Peace Corps volunteers initiated activities in accordance with the collaboration plan that comprehensively addressed the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kara. It incorporated prevention and treatment components and relies on strong community involvement. In addition, the plan called for the formation of partnerships with local and international organizations and serves as a working guide to expand and ready the organization for effective antiretroviral therapy distribution.
In August 2004, Mr. Fiori and Dr. Davenport, with the help of partners in the USA, formed Hope Through Health (HTH) in order to encourage the formation of international partnerships, handle charitable donations and expand the potential for health based interventions outside of Togo. HTH then entered a formal colaboration with AED-Lidaw to provide technical and financial suppport for their home visit, medication, and nutrition programs. HTH continues to evolve in order to meet its stated goals.
