Jean Jackendy is a young ambitious Haitian professional who began working for Haiti Outreach in March of 2018 as a GIS* technician to help us further develop the geo-mapping system that we use to collect the data that drives our decision-making process. His leadership capacities were so evident that with-in three months, he was promoted to Assistant Director of Monitoring and Evaluation. As of this July, Jean has officially assumed the position of Director of Monitoring and Evaluation for Haiti Outreach!
His life and career have not been easy to say the least. Born in the town of Anse Rouge, he was raised in a modest family of 6 children. In pursuit of his dream, he has certainly faced all of the adverse circumstances that most Haitians experience. After his primary studies in Anse Rouge, he moved to the City of Gonaives to complete his secondary studies at the Lycée Jean Jacques Dessalines and obtained his High School diploma in 2006. In a nation that does not provide free education to children, the ability to complete a high school degree was an achievement in and of itself. However, Mr. Jackendy was not satisfied to stop there. His drive to continue learning took him to Port-au-Prince to pursue a BA from the American University of Modern Sciences (UNASMO).
That is where the beginning of his dream began to take form, but his 4-years of study were accompanied by a series of misfortunes. “I started this degree at a time of great uncertainty,” said Mr. Jackendy, “I was in the midst of a financial crisis, a family concern and a real existential crisis. At times I went to bed around 5am to wake up at 7am, two hours later.”
Despite these challenges, his fortitude to complete good work in school remained steadfast. In his final year at UNASMO, he received a call from his research director to inform him of the academic committee’s the consensus regarding his thesis. They had decided unanimously that his work was considered so excellent, praising it as ingenious. Jackendy was exempt from having to defend it. He was awarded one of the highest grades possible for his thesis. Astonished by the news, he admitted that he could not restrain his tears.
After completing his bachelors at UNASMO, he went on to earn other degrees in Project Management and Accounting. His motivation to acquire more education has always been with his country in mind. He shared, “throughout my studies, I made sure to take classes that would help me tend to the needs in [my country because] I dream of a Haiti where competence prevails over ignorance.”
Regardless of the various calamities that have arisen in his life, he has still managed to overcome and achieve what many would deem impossible. In spite of the very high recognition that his work has received, Mr. Jackendy has retained an air of humility. He does not believe he is so exceptional. Rather, he stated, “[these experiences have] allowed me to understand that even in the most hopeless of circumstances, any Haitian who wishes, can do great things. Misery is no pretext for failure. If I can do it, I am convinced that the 4 million young people in Haiti can do it too. Unfortunately, they are not aware of it. I have always believed that [my people are] built to succeed.”
Mr. Jean Jackendy undoubtedly serves as an exemplary example of hope for the future of young Haitians who have the potential to improve their country and has proven firsthand that true success can be achieved with effort and sacrifice.
*GIS = Geographic Information System Mapping Technology
