Year-end reflections from community leaders
The work of Locally Haiti is led and shaped by a set of extraordinary community leaders in Petit Trou. Across education, agriculture, and healthcare, local leaders bring deep knowledge, commitment, and vision to each program. Below, we share year-end reflections from partners and staff.
Education
Education remains a cornerstone of Locally Haiti’s work, from early childhood programs to secondary school and university scholarships. These leaders support students inside and outside the classroom, helping young people build skills, confidence, and a vision for the future.
Natalya Boyo: Coordinator of Kindergarten and Preschool Programs, St. Paul’s School.
Natalya works as a teacher with students ages 2-5 and oversees the kindergarten and preschool program. She supervises the kindergarten and preschool team and is a strong advocate for her students and teachers. As a passionate youth mentor, she dedicates her time outside the classroom to the girls’ empowerment program.
“Personally I had lots of challenges this year. I lost my father, and there were other health challenges in my family. But there was beauty too. Last year’s graduation comes to mind. And this Christmas we had a lovely party for the students. We’ll keep sticking together - unity is our best chance to continue making positive change.”
-Natalya Boyo
Darline Nicolas: Supervisor of Girl’s Empowerment and Teacher, St. Paul’s School.
Darline lives in Chevalier, Petit Trou, where her passion for education has guided her to spearhead Girls’ Empowerment programming at St. Paul’s School. Darline works alongside four other mentors to support more than 100 young women in achieving their goals and living healthy lives.
“My greatest achievement this year was seeing my students complete their classes with excitement and joy. Teaching at St. Paul’s allowed me to continue my own studies and I look forward to seeing my own children work hard to become teachers and educators.”
-Darline Nicolas
Guilot Tibert: Administrator and Computer Science Teacher, St. Paul’s School
Long time Locally Haiti supporters will know Guilot Tibert well. Guilot serves as administrator and computer science teacher at St. Paul’s School and has been a force for progress for more than a decade. Guilot was born and raised in Petit Trou and attended St. Paul’s before studying at the Episcopal University in Les Cayes on a Locally Haiti supported scholarship. He loves giving back to the community.
“I hope to see continued progress at the new hospital. After that, I hope to see further improvements in infrastructure and economic development for the entire community.”
-Guilot Tibert
Davidson Turenne: Educator and Mentor, ASFPN
Davidson teaches chess to high-school and middle-school students through ASFPN. This experience, and his engagement with Locally Haiti’s Mental Health Training Seminar, inspired Davidson to pursue higher education in the field of Psychology.
“I was very happy to learn how to play chess, which has brought a lot into my life. Chess taught me determination, showed me that failure is part of growth, and helped me understand how to start again. Chess helps us think before we act, and personally I’ve developed better patience and reflection.”
-Davidson Turenne
Nadine Veillard: Monitoring and Evaluation Lead at GEM, ASFPN
Nadine also works as an Economics teacher and is passionate about community financing, entrepreneurship, and agriculture in Petit Trou.
“The hardest thing in 2025 was witnessing the losses and deficits that small-scale vendors and farmers suffered due to insecurity in Port-au-Prince. Next year, I hope that agricultural production in Petit Trou will be carried out in a more modern, productive, and profitable way.”
-Nadine Veillard
Agriculture and Food Systems
Agriculture connects health, education, and economic stability. Agronomists and leaders in this space focus on sustainable practices, food production, and skills development that strengthen households and the wider community.
“This year, I hope the spirit of this Christmas opens spirits and hearts in every corner of Haiti, and that next year we can live without fear and stress, but rather a tranquility of spirit, and with progress psychologically, mentally, economically, and politically. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.”
-Patrick Desir
Patrick Desir: Founder and Lead Coordinator of the Association to Support Families & Farmers in Nippes (ASFPN)
As leader of ASFPN for more than 8 years, Patrick has been responsible for truly monumental progress. ASFPN is a community-based organization and trusted Locally Haiti partner working in agriculture, community health, and Girls’ Empowerment and Mentoring (GEM). Patrick previously served as the mayor of Petit Trou and as an educator at St. Paul’s School. When not working, Patrick spends his time with his family.
“My most meaningful experience this year was the mental health training I completed thanks to the support of Locally Haiti. I truly appreciated everything I learned, and what makes me even more proud is that I am now able to pass this training on to others.”
-Elmina Israel
Elmina Israel: Mentor and Supervisor within Girls Empowerment Movement (GEM), ASFPN
Elmina is a multi-talented leader, engaged in agriculture, beekeeping, and emergency response, recently volunteering during Hurricane Melissa with Haiti’s Civil Protection Force.
“I would love to do more educational gatherings for the people in the community to learn more about best agricultural practices and apply the teachings in their own lives and gardens. I hope to see more investment in agriculture, the hospital, and education to enact real change for Petit Trou.”
-Simon Bertrand
Simon Bertrand: Managing Agronomist, Petit Trou Community Hospital and Health Center
Simon is our managing agronomist at the hospital garden, working closely with Pierrette, Patrick, and the team at ASFPN. Together, they’ve launched our hospital garden program and planted vegetables and perennials focused on health, wellness, and nutrition.
“This wasn’t an easy year for the community, particularly as we attempt to combat hunger in our region. It’s a challenge, particularly for the most vulnerable, but we know how to help, we know we can be stronger from the inside out. The challenges are still there, but if everyone does their part, we can have a joyful 2026, where change and progress continue to stir in the community.”
-Yves Michel Laurent
Yves Michel Laurent: agronomist, entrepreneur, and teacher.
Agronomist Yves has supported efforts across our agricultural programs. He’s been a teacher in agriculture and botany at St. Paul’s School where he led the weekend Garden Club, teaching students and families about family farming, animal husbandry, sustainability, and food production. Yves also works with Pierrette and Simon at the hospital garden and supports demonstration gardens with ASFPN. Finally, he runs an agricultural and engineering firm that drills well and installs solar powered irrigation systems in the community.
“2025 wasn’t easy for beekeepers in our region. Hurricane Melissa took multiple hives from our cooperatives. I’ve worked hard to reinforce the ones that are still here and to use the challenge as a chance for more education on how to help weaker hives. I hope we can get more support for bees and pollinators in 2026 - we’re doing our best, and there is a lot more we can do. ”
-Jean Elie Laconte
Jean Elie Laconte: head of beekeeping programs at ASFPN and St. Paul’s School.
Jean Elie is an expert local beekeeper and an enthusiast for environmental education and the importance of pollinators. He manages hives and provides continuing education training with our beekeeping cooperatives, while also supporting the team at St. Paul’s School. Jean Elie’s hives are important for pollination in the area and also provide important economic benefit to the families and cooperatives, earning as much as $350/year per hive.
Healthcare
Healthcare leaders in Petit Trou ensure that services reach families who would otherwise have limited access to care. Their work connects clinical services, community education, and long-term system building.
Lisson Michel: Locally Haiti’s Hospital Liaison, Petit Trou Community Hospital and Health Center; and Deputy Coordinator, ASFPN.
Lisson wears a number of important hats in the community, playing a leadership role with ASFPN, a community based organization and trusted partner, as well as serving as Locally Haiti’s Hospital Liaison. At the hospital, Lisson serves as a key voice in the administration and helps with procurement of supplies, logistics, infrastructure projects, and human resources. With ASFPN, he helps manage operations, accounting, and strategic planning, and has played a leadership role in girls’ empowerment, agriculture, and community health.
“The year started with lots of light and hope, as we opened the new hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The USAID cuts that soon followed presented a challenge, and to this day we are all working together with limited resources. We have made lots of progress - over 50 hospital employees putting our heads together to do our best for the community.”
-Lisson Michel
Clausette Dormeus: Community Health Aide, supporting public health programs in her community.
Clausette was born and raised in a community called Grand Ravin, just south of Petit Trou. She is a proud Community Health Aide, carrying out frontline work in her community in association with the hospital community health team.
“Being united is the most powerful thing we can do to move on as a country and community. I hope to see changes in people's mentality, especially those who don't want the country to move forward and see positive changes in Haiti. We can do more together.”
-Clausette Dormeus
Vladimy Moise: Head of HR, Petit Trou Community Hospital Health Center
Vladimy was born and raised in a community called St. Therese. With a passion for collaboration, management, and entrepreneurship, Vladimy now works at the hospital as the staff director, while continuing to engage at St. Paul’s School, another partner of Locally Haiti.
“Having a new health center has been incredibly helpful for the community. I would love to have more specialists work here like dentists and pediatricians. Over time I hope to see the health center continue to build capacity and become a referral hospital for the entire region.”
-Vladimy Moise
Locally Haiti
Our small team works directly with our partners, focusing on communications, logistics, continuing education, and accounting.
“The biggest celebration of the year is the local people who never give up despite the country’s challenges, and the donors who enable us to achieve more. I hope to continue to see sustainable development in Petit Trou, with stronger infrastructure, better access to healthcare, and more opportunities for youth and families to thrive locally.”
-Johnny Verneus
Johnny Verneus: Project Coordinator, Locally Haiti
Johnny plays a key role in supporting our partners in Petit Trou and keeping our US-based community updated on progress and programs. He has developed deep relationships with our partners and adds immense value in accounting, M&E, and communications. In 2025 Johnny received the Ted Lewis Award, an honor that recognizes individuals who make a significant impact in our community, and was also featured in the short film, Limye Titwou.
“It’s my greatest satisfaction to see the progress at the hospital, the community health garden, and at St. Paul’s School. I’m proud to work alongside Locally Haiti to support my community and the position has given me energy and hope for the future.”
-Joseph Alvyns
Joseph Alvyns, Special Projects Coordinator, Locally Haiti.
Joseph is a Port au Prince native who moved out of the city in search of greater opportunities and stability. He is our lead photographer on the ground in Petit Trou where he works with our partners to highlight updates, progress, and new projects. Learn more about Joseph here.
“Petit Trou is rich in so many ways - there is so much potential to do more with investment. This is why I'm proud to play my small part in the development of this community. The residents recognize the need and welcome the opportunity. They are ready to partner."
-Pierrette Décime
Pierrette Décime: Lead Agronomist
Pierrette joined the Locally Haiti team earlier this year after leading important work with our friends and partners at the botanic garden of Les Cayes. A lifelong advocate for plants and biodiversity, she is committed to fostering sustainable agricultural practices and advancing community-led change. Hear directly from Pierrette.
Thank you for your support this year. When you donate, you invest in these talented and and deeply committed women and men. These snapshots could never do them justice - but as we close the year, it's one more effort to celebrate their work and put their voices forward.