Undeterred Act of Love
Agronomist Luckson Simeon, in Camp Perrin
Agronomist Luckson Simeon (Sonson), a graduate of the SEED International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (USITA) in Les Cayes, Haiti, continues to dedicate his work to sustainable development, agriculture, and hands-on education. Known as Agronome Sonson, he serves at God’s Vision for Haiti, where he is recognized for his careful planning and commitment to student engagement.
Recently, he led a formal assembly to launch the School Replanting Program (SRP) in partnership with Cadeau Vert. The event brought together students, faculty, and the school’s founders from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Juska & Jona Lazarre.
During the presentation, Agronome Sonson introduced the program’s mission: integrating tree planting into Haiti’s education system under the theme, “One student, one tree, every year.” In a country where replanting, and in general environmental restoration, is critical, he emphasized the responsibility students have in caring for the trees they plant and, more broadly, for their environment.
The launch ceremony was arranged to highlight the importance of the occasion. Agronome Sonson was mindful that the program was being launched well into the school year. As the end of the academic year approaches, he nevertheless seized the moment and initiated the SRP. He and the school’s leadership are eagerly anticipating involving parents.
As the campus agronomist, he had already begun engaging students in cultivating a school garden. His students have been preparing plants at school as part of their hands-on training. Each student is now growing his or her own plant at home until the date for Journée Verte is set. Agronome Sonson has also kept a small number of trees growing in reserve in his work area, in case some students’ plants do not survive, ensuring that every student can participate in the much-anticipated Journée Verte.
Agronome Sonson is already looking forward to the next school year, when students will be fully engaged in selecting their trees as soon as school reopens. They will then have a full year to nurture their trees.
We are thankful for such a dedicated collaborator who values time and makes the most of the opportunities we have been given.
Educator Jean Evens Jeannot, in Baradères
Jean Evans Jeannot is a determined leader in his community. He is an educator and a coach in applied psychology.
After completing the Cadeau Vert seminar in 2ème Plaine this past February, he became eager to join efforts aimed at addressing environmental challenges. He reached out to a Catholic priest at one of the leading schools in Berquin, near the town of Miragoâne, and introduced him to the mission and vision of Cadeau Vert.
Without hesitation, he was granted access to the primary school, l’École Presbytérale des Petites Sœurs de Sainte Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus.
March 27 was designated “Journée de Couleur” (Color Day), a festive and educational occasion when students and teachers are not required to wear uniforms. Seizing this opportunity, Maître Jeannot presented the goals and objectives of Cadeau Vert’s School Replanting Program (SRP) and immediately initiated its launch. The timing proved ideal, engaging the entire school community. He brought together four classes, from 3rd to 6th grade, successfully launching the program with a total of 48 students.
Maître Jeannot is now working closely with the school’s staff and teachers at l’École Presbytérale des Petites Sœurs de Sainte Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus to organize their upcoming Journée Verte, scheduled for the last Friday of May.
Educator Erian Louis, in Petit-Groâve
Graduated from the Faculté des Sciences de L’Education, Erian Louis is a dynamic leader in the Petit-Goâve community. His intention is to dedicate himself more fully to foster a better society, and to apply all his skills to better facilitate student learning.
He is confident and versatile in all areas of education, whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or at a religious gathering
He is motivated and determined to do his best to encourage and promote the insertion of the School Replanting Program of Cadeau Vert in the schools in Petit-Goâve.
Before Easter, on April 2nd, Paulette Prinston was on a WhatsApp call for over one hour answering questions from a dynamic group of schools directors and leaders who were attending the first Cadeau Vert seminar under the leadership of Directeur Louis. One of the questions raised was: if we plant trees now, how can we prevent people from cutting them down in the future? Cadeau Vert is addressing this concern by focusing on the next generation. That is why we work with school-age children—to help shift mindsets by embedding replanting into the culture of the country. Our goal is for young people to truly understand that Haiti belongs to them, and that they have a responsibility to build it, care for it, and protect it.
By the end of the gathering, his colleagues were united in their decision to work wholeheartedly for the benefit of the country. They recognized that embracing this mission is a shared responsibility.
Since then, several schools have moved forward and launched the School Replanting Program within their own campuses.
Agronomist Oudy Charles, in Petit Trou De Nippes
Oudy Charles is an agronomist by training, specializing in crop production and the sustainable management of natural resources. He has a particular interest in issues related to rural development, the improvement of agricultural production systems, and the leveraging of local resources. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in supervision and training, as well as in the implementation of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices tailored to the local context. He remains committed to contributing to the development of the agricultural sector through concrete and innovative actions.
He recently led his first Cadeau Vert seminar with several school principals from the Tiby area of Petit-Trou-de-Nippes. The gathering took place at the École Nationale de Tiby Fondamentale Complète. The seminar covered key topics focused on promoting a healthy environment, and he ensured that the training served as an important step toward building a sustainable environmental culture within local schools.
The discussions were dynamic and highly participatory. The school administrators expressed both their satisfaction and their commitment to implementing the School Replanting Program (SRP) in their respective institutions.
