Jeunise Guillaume: From Student to Leader in Haiti

Before her community partnered with buildOn, Jeunise Guillaume’s future was uncertain.

Growing up in Ravine Sable, Haiti, Jeunise was forced to stop attending school when her mother could no longer afford the fees. Like many girls in rural communities, her education was interrupted, not because of a lack of ability or ambition, but due to extreme poverty and limited opportunities.

That changed in 2007, when Ravine Sable partnered with buildOn to construct a school.

Building a School and a Future

When construction began, Jeunise didn’t just watch from the sidelines. She and her mother worked side by side on the worksite, hauling materials and contributing labor alongside their neighbors.

Their commitment helped unlock something powerful: Jeunise was able to return to school and complete her education.

That opportunity changed the course of her life.

Through continued support from Hope for Haiti, one of our partners, Jeunise went on to pursue higher education. She earned a degree in agronomy, the study of managing crops and soil for human use. Completing her degree was an achievement that once felt unimaginable.

Leading Through Knowledge and Service

Today, Jeunise is a respected agronomist and community leader in Ravine Sable.

She supports local farmers by sharing practical, sustainable farming techniques that strengthen food security and livelihoods. In addition to her work as an agronomist, she also serves as a community veterinarian, helping families care for their animals and protect vital sources of income.

Through workshops and hands-on training, Jeunise equips others with the tools to thrive. Her leadership is rooted in knowledge, service, and a deep understanding of her community’s needs.

Extending Opportunity Beyond the Classroom

Jeunise’s impact reaches far beyond agriculture.

Recognizing that education and stability are deeply connected, she founded a mutual aid fund to support vulnerable families. The fund promotes cooperation, resilience, and shared responsibility, all values she lives every day.

She regularly collaborates with schools, churches, and local organizations to inspire collective action and reinforce the importance of education in Ravine Sable.

A Legacy of Constructive Leadership

Jeunise Guillaume is one of two recipients of the first-ever Britta and Denis Nayden Ignition Award, honoring individuals who transform their passion for service and education into lifelong leadership.

This past December, buildOn’s founder and CEO Jim Ziolkowski travelled to Haiti to give Jeunise her award in person. Surrounded by her family and neighbors, Jeunise stood as an example for current students at the Ravine Sable school.

Once a girl who could not afford school, Jeunise is now shaping opportunity for others.

Today, she sends her own children to the same rural school that once transformed her life, continuing a cycle of education, service, and hope.

Her story is living proof that when communities lead and education comes first, opportunity can be ignited for generations.

If you want to transform lives like Jeunise’s by funding our programs in Haiti and around the globe, consider making a tax-deductible donation today.