Who We Are
The International Student Aid Association (ISAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through education — starting in Haiti.
Founded in 2020 by Edvardine Joseph, ISAA was created with a simple but powerful belief: education is the key to self-sufficiency. Through targeted programs and partnerships, ISAA connects resources with students who show promise, determination, and a desire to create lasting change within their communities.
Our early efforts began with two community-based initiatives — the Haiti Textbook Initiative, which provided 50 textbooks to students at Paquette Elementary and Middle School in Jacmel, and the Hygiene Kits for Haiti Project, which distributed essential hygiene supplies to families in Cazale during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Building on those successes, ISAA launched its first major and ongoing program, the Haitian Student Scholarship Fund, in 2022. This initiative now supports five exceptional students from the rural region of Jacmel, Haiti, covering their full tuition, school supplies, and mentorship as they pursue their education. Despite political instability and economic hardship, these students continue to rise — inspiring others with their resilience and their commitment to give back to their communities.
We believe that by investing in one student at a time, we are creating a ripple effect of opportunity and self-sufficiency — one that will help rebuild Haiti from within and serve as a model for future global initiatives.
Meet The Founder
I have always believed that education is the foundation for opportunity and self-sufficiency. As a first-generation Haitian-American, I grew up understanding both the importance of education and the reality that it is not equally accessible to all — especially in places like Haiti.
My formal path toward founding ISAA began in high school, when I joined the University of Pennsylvania’s Social Innovators Program, an experience that gave students the tools to design meaningful nonprofits. Inspired by my heritage and the stories I’d grown up hearing, I chose to develop a project focused on helping Haiti become more self-sufficient through education.
In 2017, I visited Haiti for the first time — a trip that changed everything. I witnessed the country’s vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes, but also the weight of its socioeconomic and political challenges. I met children studying without textbooks, families struggling to meet basic needs, and communities doing their best with limited resources. Yet, what struck me most was the resilience, dignity, and determination of the people I encountered.
Knowing that I am only a few generations removed from those same struggles ignited a personal responsibility within me. I wanted to be part of the solution. I wanted to create opportunities for students whose potential is limitless but whose access is limited.
In 2020, I turned that vision into reality and established the International Student Aid Association. Since then, what began as a passion project has grown into a mission-driven organization working to make education accessible and empower youth — starting in Haiti and expanding into new communities.
Today, ISAA’s work includes the Haiti Textbook Initiative, the Hygiene Kits for Haiti Project, and our first major ongoing program, the Haitian Student Scholarship Fund, supporting five dedicated students as they pursue their dreams and strive to uplift their communities.
Our story continues to grow — and with your support, so does our impact.