NAAHP Blog

Gabrielle’s journey is one of perseverance, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to transforming lives in Haiti. Her story, deeply rooted in personal hardship and triumph, is both inspiring and a powerful testament to the impact of one individual who dares to dream differently.

Gabrielle was born and raised in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. After high school, she moved to the United States, a transition marked by both hope and pain. At a young age (5 years old), she lost her mother during a dangerous sea journey to reunite with her father in the U.S. Raised in a boarding school with her brother, Gabrielle faced hunger, isolation, and the absence of both parents. These early experiences, though difficult, forged her resilience and shaped her mission in life.

After completing her education in the U.S. in computer information systems and business administration, Gabrielle worked tirelessly, juggling multiple jobs. She eventually became a data manager for Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health HIV prevention programs with the state of Georgia. But it was a trip back to Haiti in August 2004 that changed everything.

During that visit, she encountered a former classmate living in despair on the street. The moment was transformative. “What can I do to empower young men and women just like her?” she asked. The devastation from Hurricane Jeanne that same year September 2024 further fueled her resolve.

Planting Seeds of Change

Gabrielle founded SONJE-AYITI, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Haitians to build their own dreams. In 2006, she took a leap of faith, sold her home in Georgia, and returned to Haiti with her two young children. All she had was a piece of land and unwavering determination.

Through SONJE-AYITI, Gabrielle and her team have touched countless lives. From creating vocational programs for women and youth, to building sustainable schools, agricultural projects, Village Sav7ings Loans Associations (VSLAs), community gardens, and community development initiatives. Her initiatives are deeply rooted in the belief that lasting change begins at the grassroots level. SONJE-AYITI’ “Pathway Out of Poverty” program is a comprehensive 18-month initiative that provides families with financial support, training, healthcare access, and life skills.

Her social enterprise also includes a poultry farm, a feed mill, and chicken processing facilities that provide local jobs and build economic independence. Despite political unrest and infrastructural challenges, Gabrielle remains undeterred. “Haiti cannot be developed without its people. It takes human capital,” she says.

Her leadership philosophy is grounded in action: “Teach by example. Be intentional. Be hands-on.” Gabrielle has empowered more than 800 women and mentored hundreds of students to become leaders in their own communities.

Gabrielle’s father, initially skeptical of her decision to return to Haiti, later became one of her greatest sources of pride and inspiration. She credits his quiet strength and dedication as her guiding light.

A Vision for Haiti’s Future

While she admits the challenges are many—from limited resources to safety and transportation issues—Gabrielle’s vision remains bold. “I want to see Haiti talked about in a different light. A light of possibility and progress,” she says. Her dream is to see more Haitian-led development, unity among the diaspora, and investment in education and agriculture.

Her advice to young Haitians abroad: “No matter where you are, never forget where you come from. Use your skills to empower others. There is no ‘I’ in success. It’s about ‘us’.”

Through Sonje-Ayiti, Gabrielle’s shares that her work has changed hundreds of lives. Setting herself as an  example that reminds us that true leadership lies in service, and that even one determined soul can plant seeds of hope for an entire nation.

As she puts it: “If I can’t change the world, I can change one village. I can empower one life. And that means everything.”