Haiti Ball honours selfless aid workers

Pierre Richard Ismael, Yvrose Telfort Ismael, co-founders of Haven, Leslie and Carmel Buckley

Pictured are (LtoR) Carmel and Leslie Buckley, Co-Founders of Haven at the Fourth annual Haiti Ball in the Four Seasons Hotel where Yvrose Telfort Ismael was presented with the inaugural William Jefferson Clinton goodwill for Haiti Award. Photo: El Keegan

thumbnail: Pierre Richard Ismael, Yvrose Telfort Ismael, co-founders of Haven, Leslie and Carmel Buckley
thumbnail: Pictured are (LtoR) Carmel and Leslie Buckley, Co-Founders of Haven at the Fourth annual Haiti Ball in the Four Seasons Hotel where Yvrose Telfort Ismael was presented with the inaugural William Jefferson Clinton goodwill for Haiti Award. Photo: El Keegan

A woman who has dedicated her life to helping Haitian orphans has been honoured with the prestigious 'William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill For Haiti Award'.

Yvrose Telfort Ismael and Pierre Richard Ismael were the guests of honour at the fourth annual Haiti Ball in the Four Seasons Hotel on Friday night. The couple spend their lives raising and educating children who were left devastated and stricken by an earthquake on the Caribbean island in 2010.

The ball, which was being held as part of this year's 'Haiti Week', was also attended by Haven co-founder Leslie Buckley and his wife Carmel.

The Irish charity works with communities on the poverty stricken island and Ms Ismael said they are "touching so many lives" there.

She said she was delighted to receive the award, which was recognising her and her husband's work with their 'Hope Christian Academy of Fonds Parisien'.

"I was very excited. The most exciting thing was the fact that I was able to see so many people in one room. They were all there for Haiti," Ms Ismael said last night.

"I am so blessed to be a part of all of this."