Becoming Tools for the Development of Haiti: Profiles of Reforest Haiti's Youth Group Leadership Committee

Leadership Committee of JADPE, including: Wallens, Barbara, John, Fabiola and Charlot

The leadership Committee of JADPE, the Youth in Action for Development and Protection of the Environment, share why they are actively working to protect and renew their environment:

John Garry Thierry Jean, JADPE President

“My birthday is March 7, 1992 and I am the President of JADPE. My dream is to become an agronomist engineer. I participate in JADPE because it is a group that works for development and change for Haiti, our country. My vision is to release the country from all the corrupt politicians, see a day when Haitians stop searching for a better life by taking to the sea, and work with JADPE to help Haiti return to its place as the Pearl of the Antilles.

“Protecting the environment and renewing our land so that it can reach it’s potential is the mission of the Reforest Haiti program of Let Haiti Live, and that is why it is so important to me. No one can live on this earth if it isn’t healthy, if there are no trees. We are helping in many ways, including training for young people, developing our talents and participating in social and cultural activities.

“I have been part of the youth group since it began in 2004 and I chose to participate because protecting the environment is important for my life, and your life and we must all agree to work together to protect life.”

Fabiola Jean Baptiste, Secretary of JADPE

“I am the secretary of JADPE and I was born on July 2, 1990. I would love to become a doctor one day. I participate in JADPE because it is a project that focuses on development, reforestation and in addition it is based in my community to help the place where I live.

“I would love to see Haiti reforested and for the Haitian people to be healthy. I want to become a doctor to help those who need it most. Let Haiti Live and the JADPE project have helped me to learn to collaborate with others and to love the people in my neighborhood. It has also helped me turn into a tool of development while teaching me to love trees, protect the environment and truly love my country.

“I’ve been working with the group since 2007 when I chose to participate so I could be part of the development of my community. I am a young person who believes that the country can change if all Haiti’s children out their heads together. Each Haitian child has talents and things they can do to help save our country.” 

Charlot Pierre, JADPE Vice President

“I was born on December 11, 1991 and I am the Vice President of JADPE. One day I hope to become an agronomist. JADPE is a place where I can learn about how to protect the environment. I have a big vision for Haiti and I hope to apply modern agricultural techniques while protecting the local market and using biological agriculture (biological agricultural looks at the whole agronomic, environmental picture, nutritional and biological components of what constitutes a healthy soil).

“Let Haiti Live and the Reforest Haiti program is a very important part of my life because it helps me to protect myself as I am working to protect the place where I live. Protecting the environment is protecting the life God gave us. I have been working as part of the youth group since 2004. I participate in the program because I love being part of a movement that is based in the environment and sustainable development.”

Barbara Jean, Delegate in JADPE

“I am Barbara Jean, a delegate of JADPE and I was born on October 10, 1987. I would like to become a nurse; it is my dream. I am part of JADPE because it is rooted in reforestation. My vision for Haiti is based in reconstruction without exclusion. We each are a link in the chain and I would like for all Haiti’s children to live with ease and for Haiti to be respected the same as other countries.

“Working with JADPE and Let Haiti Live has been important in my life because it has helped me to learn to live and work with others. It is a group of youth that help the children in the community discover their gifts and to learn to love and protect their environment. This is very meaningful to me.

“I have been working to reforest our area since 2007 and I chose to participate in the group because I want to see the development and reforestation of my country.”