"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that the child of a farmworker can become the president of a great nation."…Nelson Mandela
In 1961, a 14-year-old Haitian farm boy spoke out against injustice - a decision that would shape the course of his life and eventually impact thousands of families in his country.
His name was Chavannes Jean-Baptiste.
When his uncle’s cow disappeared and later reappeared carrying a different brand, Chavannes realized what had happened. The local official who was supposed to enforce justice had taken the cow for himself. Everyone around Chavannes urged silence. Speaking up could bring consequences. But Chavannes could not ignore what he knew was wrong.
The next morning, he got up long before dawn and walked 2 hours to an army post in Hinche to file a complaint. After waiting several hours, an officer finally listened to his complaint and agreed to investigate. After a long day of waiting and persistence, authorities investigated and recovered the cow.
When he returned home, his father gave him advice he never forgot:
“It took courage to do what you did because you believed in justice… The people of Haiti deserve justice, especially the poor people. Work for justice, my son.”
That lesson became the foundation of a lifetime.
Chavannes, who was the first in his family to receive an education, became an agronomist and organized poor farmers to band together to get a fair price for their crop. In 1973, he founded MPP (Mouvman Peyizan Papay), beginning with just a few groups of small farmers and growing into a movement with 60,000 members across Haiti today.
His vision was always larger than agriculture. He believed lasting change comes when communities have the tools to build their own future. Education is one of those tools.
It was Chavannes’ vision that led to the creation of the Haiti EcoVillage School.
Today, even in a country facing extraordinary challenges, students continue to come to school eager to learn. Teachers continue to teach. Families continue to believe in a better future for their children.
Your support helps make that possible.
Today, every classroom is equipped, school supplies have been purchased, and every child is welcomed into a safe place to learn. The work that began in 1961, with Chavanne’s vision for justice, continues today. (In 2026, the EcoVillage School has 10 classrooms and serves 490 students.)
Thank you for helping carry forward Chavannes’ vision—one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and hope.
