A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER
Our nonprofit (501c3) organization was founded in 2008, and the community school, Ecole Communautaire Jeremie St. Fort de Rodaille, opened in September 2009, and we have been working ever since! We can accept tax-deductible donations to help rebuild Haiti by continuing and expanding the great work we have started.
We're into our 12th year, and we are continuing to grow and evolve as an organization. We started with a focus on our community school, but these past few years, we have expanded our projects to include a significant emphasis on community education and development. Through our parent association and microloan program, we can see empowerment and economic growth.
Thanks to a partnership with Penshorn Joshua 24 foundation, we have begun construction on a new campus in Rodaille. This campus will include 12 classrooms, an administration building, a cafeteria, large extensive grounds, and a community center. The community center will hold our clinic, pharmacy, library, computer center, and a financial co-op for the community microloan program. We are truly grateful for the Penshorn Joshua 24 Foundation and its generosity and commitment to Rodaille. We cannot wait to see what 2021 brings for the community of Rodaille.
We believe in 100% transparency and integrity in everything we do. We are looking not just for donors but partners who will help us expand our projects and serve as many people as possible.
I hope together we will rebuild Haiti!
We're into our 12th year, and we are continuing to grow and evolve as an organization. We started with a focus on our community school, but these past few years, we have expanded our projects to include a significant emphasis on community education and development. Through our parent association and microloan program, we can see empowerment and economic growth.
Thanks to a partnership with Penshorn Joshua 24 foundation, we have begun construction on a new campus in Rodaille. This campus will include 12 classrooms, an administration building, a cafeteria, large extensive grounds, and a community center. The community center will hold our clinic, pharmacy, library, computer center, and a financial co-op for the community microloan program. We are truly grateful for the Penshorn Joshua 24 Foundation and its generosity and commitment to Rodaille. We cannot wait to see what 2021 brings for the community of Rodaille.
We believe in 100% transparency and integrity in everything we do. We are looking not just for donors but partners who will help us expand our projects and serve as many people as possible.
I hope together we will rebuild Haiti!
|
Nadia Odjo
Founder |
Our Vision / Mission
The vision of BRITE is to improve the quality of life of underprivileged Haitian children by giving them access to basic social services such as education and healthcare. Our mission is to deliver community-based social services to the marginalized and vulnerable children of Haiti who are affected by poverty, inadequate healthcare and illiteracy.
We endeavor to accomplish our mission by:
Our History
In 2007, my husband Joe and I (Nadia) visited the rural village, Rodaille, where my grandparents and my father were born. We were really overwhelmed by the extreme poverty and the number of unschooled children. My husband and I, being both educators, could not walk away from this opportunity to serve. We knew that God was calling us to act and we responded to that call.
We really wanted to partner with this community, and instill in these kids the same passion for education my father, himself only having studied till 7th grade, instilled in me. We wanted to end the cycle of poverty caused by illiteracy. This was also my chance to give back to the community which gave me my father, his love, and the opportunities I got in life as a result of my education.
I came back 4 more times before opening the school. During my visits, I met with the leaders and parents in order to discuss ways we could help and how they could support the project.
The result was a community school.
My husband and I first used our savings to start the school. As the school expanded and we could no longer support the school on our own, we worked to find funding in the USA from friends, family members, and our church. The community leaders and parents were responsible for bringing the children to school and volunteering their time as a way to contribute to their child’s education. We incorporated strong community involvement in order to help families and the community feel a sense of ownership and pride. The school was for them. In 2009 we opened our school, Ecole Jeremie St. Fort.
We did not even have the means to build classrooms or bathrooms.
Time was of the essence and we were convinced that something was better than nothing. We constructed two classrooms out of thatch and leased a small house nearby for an office and another classroom. Our first students were diverse to say the least. We started with seventy students, ranging in age from five to twelve years old. Due to the lack of prior schooling they all had to be placed in kindergarten and first grade.
We really wanted to partner with this community, and instill in these kids the same passion for education my father, himself only having studied till 7th grade, instilled in me. We wanted to end the cycle of poverty caused by illiteracy. This was also my chance to give back to the community which gave me my father, his love, and the opportunities I got in life as a result of my education.
I came back 4 more times before opening the school. During my visits, I met with the leaders and parents in order to discuss ways we could help and how they could support the project.
The result was a community school.
My husband and I first used our savings to start the school. As the school expanded and we could no longer support the school on our own, we worked to find funding in the USA from friends, family members, and our church. The community leaders and parents were responsible for bringing the children to school and volunteering their time as a way to contribute to their child’s education. We incorporated strong community involvement in order to help families and the community feel a sense of ownership and pride. The school was for them. In 2009 we opened our school, Ecole Jeremie St. Fort.
We did not even have the means to build classrooms or bathrooms.
Time was of the essence and we were convinced that something was better than nothing. We constructed two classrooms out of thatch and leased a small house nearby for an office and another classroom. Our first students were diverse to say the least. We started with seventy students, ranging in age from five to twelve years old. Due to the lack of prior schooling they all had to be placed in kindergarten and first grade.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Team
|
Nadia OdjoDirector/Founder
Nadia has worked as a teacher and guidance counselor with the Palm Beach County School District for fourteen years. She graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s Degree in French and Political Science and received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Florida Atlantic University. Nadia is a very active member of her church; she helped start churches in Africa and the Caribbean. She also served as a missionary in the Ivory Coast for ten years where she met her husband. She and Joseph have been married for twenty-one years and have two wonderful boys: Jeremie and Jonathan. Nadia loves to read, travel, go to the beach, and practice yoga. Although she loves her native country Haiti, she considers herself a citizen of the world. |
|
Joseph OdjoCo-Founder
Joeseph Odjo has been working as a teacher for over 20 years in the Ivory Coast and in Haiti. Joseph graduated from the University of Abidjan IC with a Bachelor’s in English Literature and English Linguistics. Joseph is a Christian in the International Church of Christ and is currently leading the Jacmel Church of Christ in Jacmel, Haiti. Joseph is married with two wonderful sons, Jeremie and Jonathan. |
|
Jaci LouisDirector of Operations
Jaci first visited Haiti in 2013 on a life-changing trip. She was already planning on moving to a different country after graduation from Florida Atlantic University, but fell in love with Haiti immediately. With a bachelor's degree in education, she firmly believes that every child deserves the chance to receive a high-quality education. She began her journey with BRITE as an intern but quickly decided that her heart was meant to stay in Haiti. In 2018, Jaci received her Master's in nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida, with the primary goal to help BRITE grow! She spent six years helping BRITE grow, and in 2019 she decided it was time to move stateside to help BRITE grow in the areas of fundraising, donor relations, volunteer recruitment, and long-term goals. She is the current Director of Operations and loves helping BRITE continue to serve the people of Rodaille and Haiti's greater south-east region. She currently lives in Fayetteville, NC, with her husband and daughter, Ezra. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and listening to podcasts. |
|
Savannah BowenAssistant Director
Savannah Bowen is a writer, artist, and educator from Mount Vernon, New York. She studied Literature and French at Howard University and graduated with honors in 2016. Following her time at Howard, she worked as an English Language Assistant in Paris with the French Ministry of Education, where she began her career in international learning. In 2017 she completed a year of service with BRITE as an intern after which she returned to her native New York to pursue publishing at Serendipity Literary Agency and Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins. She is now pursuing her personal literary projects while also serving as an Administrative Coordinator for BRITE in Jacmel, Haiti. When she’s not stuck to her laptop, you can find her making jewelry for her small business Sava de Jacmel, or out for a scenic walk. |
|
Stephenson Joseph
In-Country Accountant
Stephenson Joseph is a finance professional from Jacmel, Haiti. He graduated with a degree in finance and accounting at the University of Notre Dame in Haiti in 2012. He then began his career at the prestigious Cap Lamandou Hotel in Jacmel, where he worked for seven years. In 2016, he began taking English courses at the International Christian Academy, where he met Nadia Odjo and learned about BRITE Initiative Inc. Eager for a new experience and inspired by BRITE’s vision for the future, Stephenson joined BRITE’s full time local staff in 2018 after nearly two years of part time work and accounting support. Stephenson is also an active member of his community, a lifelong learner and engaged citizen. In 2015 he served as president for the Jacmel chapter of Junior Chambers International, a global organization for leaders and active citizens. He also held the role of Vice President for the entire southern region of Haïti in 2017. In his free time, Stephenson enjoys dining out, watching basketball, and learning new cooking skills from channels on YouTube. |
|
Paola RedondoAdministrative Assistant
Paola graduated from California State University- Long Beach with a Bachelor’s in Speech-Language Pathology in 2015. She worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant at an elementary school for two years. Although she had accomplished what she and her family had always dreamed for her, Paola felt like she wanted more or at least something different. She wanted to live and experience a different reality, unlike the one she knew from being raised in California and Costa Rica as a child. This version of wanderlust brought Paola to finding out about BRITE. She was intrigued by the work BRITE was doing and wanted to be part of it. In 2017, she decided to put her life in Los Angeles on pause for a year while she interned for BRITE. At first, she committed to staying for one year but ended up staying for two years. She returned to L.A., thinking she would resume her life, but Jacmel was calling her back. Paola has returned to her third home and is currently working for BRITE as an administrative assistant. She is so excited to witness the amazing things to come to the BRITE community. |
Our Board
|
Nadia OdjoDirector/Founder
Nadia has worked as a teacher and guidance counselor with the Palm Beach County School District for fourteen years. She graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s Degree in French and Political Science and received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Florida Atlantic University. Nadia is a very active member of her church; she helped start churches in Africa and the Caribbean. She also served as a missionary in the Ivory Coast for ten years where she met her husband. She and Joseph have been married for twenty-one years and have two wonderful boys: Jeremie and Jonathan. Nadia loves to read, travel, go to the beach, and practice yoga. Although she loves her native country Haiti, she considers herself a citizen of the world. |
|
Dan LilePresident
In 1987, I went to work for the United Way and worked as the Director of Agency Relations and as a Campaign Division Director. I gained valuable experience with Non Profit Budgets and Fundraising. In 1991 I began working with Coastal Corrugated, Inc. as a Sales Representative. I worked there for 16 years and served in many positions such as General Manager, Sales/Customer Service Manager and Production Manager. In 2007 I joined the Marlin Company as a Regional Manager helping company’s better their internal communications efforts. I work in South Carolina, eastern Georgia and northern Florida. I have been married for 26 years to Jodi Lile. We have three boys Ryan-22, David and Michael-20. We are members of the Charleston (SC) Church of Christ. I have been on our Church's Board and Leadership Group for many years. I have also served on other non-profit boards such as the Charleston Youth Lacrosse Club and Ashley Ridge Junior ROTC. My entire family has been able to be in Haiti and fall in love with the school and the precious people there. |
|
Shawn BowenVice President
Dr. Shawn Bowen is a pediatrics specialist in Dallas, TX. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Howard University and graduated from Columbia Univ Coll Of Physicians and Surgeons in 1993. In his 22 years of practice, Dr. Bowen has been committed to community health for under-served populations. Though his primary connection to Haiti is his wife Magalie, who was born in Port au Prince, Shawn has traveled to Haiti to participate in medical brigades, notably travelling days after the 2010 earthquake to provide emergency care. He also served as a physician during BRITE’s first ever medical fair in 2011. He is also a husband and father of three girls. When he’s not in the office, he can be found on the tennis court or out camping in the woods. |
|
Devyn MontalvoSecretary
Devyn’s educational background includes Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees, and she has spent over six years working in higher education. Currently, she serves as the Director of Career Services & Community Outreach for a small, private university. She has had the privilege of traveling to Haiti four times and each time is more grateful for the opportunity to see the work BRITE is doing up close. Devyn lives in central Florida with her husband Greg and their son, Thomas. |
|
Valerie C. WilliamsTreasurer
Valerie has over fifteen years of experience in not for profit management. Valerie has worked in Banking, Public Accounting as well as with Not for Profit Organizations. Valerie has a MS in Taxation. She has had a successful tax and accounting practice for over 20 years, which includes business and private clients. |
|
Juan MontalvoBoard Member
Juan has been a Christian since 1992. He is retired from the Deerfield Fire Department after 28 years of service. He then went to culinary school and started his second career as a paella chef. He has since retired from that career and is living full time with his wife Mary on the road in their RV traveling and visiting churches across the country. He has been sharing this experience on his channel, The Hungry Cuban Adventures. Juan and Mary have visited Haiti and seen first hand the remarkable work being done by BRITE and are honored to be a part of this organization. |
|
Regina PierreciusBoard Member
Regina is an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner in New York and Florida. She has a Master's degree in Nursing Science and a Bachelors in Science and Biology. She is from Haiti, but has spent many years living in New York and recently, Palm Beach, Florida. She has 11 years of experience in the healthcare industry delivering care to people with various medical and surgical diseases as well as wellness promotion, and disease prevention. She is heavily engaged in volunteering work. She has volunteered with various non-profit organizations throughout the years in the United States and in Haiti as well. She heard about the Odjo's work in Haiti and had a chance to visit Jacmel in 2020 and was in awe of all the work BRITE was doing in the community of Rodaille. She witnessed first-hand the amazing work that BRITE is doing for that community; improving people’s lives through education as well as through health and social services. Regina admires BRITE’s vision and its mission. |
|
Jonathan OdjoBoard Member
Jonathan is an environmental enthusiast, his first time accompanying his parents to Haiti in 2008 changed his life and provided him with a heart for the third world. Jonathan has since then received a bachelor's degree from Webster University in biology with an emphasis in biodiversity and a dual master's degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in global development and business administration emphasizing sustainable development in the third world. Jonathan has worked on various fundraisers for BRITE throughout the years as well as events to bring awareness. Outside of BRITE Jonathan has worked on his Master's fieldwork in Costa Rica forming a cooperative for the agricultural sector that was adopted by the government and working on various United Nations requests for proposals (RFP’s). Jonathan spends his free time playing sports as a former collegiate athlete and volunteering in his community for organizations such as Feeding South Florida, United Way of the Palm Beaches, and more. |
Our Financials
Our Partners
BRITE works with churches, foundations, nonprofits, and other organizations to bring relief internationally. Our partners contribute more than money. Their ideas, volunteer power, in-kind support, and more are helping build stronger communities.
