Anseye Pou Ayiti founder Nedgine Paul wants to achieve the most formidable feat yet as an educator—that of renovating Haiti’s educational system. Named a “Woman of the Year” by Challenge News, the Haiti-born and Connecticut-raised social entrepreneur is working with educators from the most remote areas of Haiti.

Her goal? To transform them into change agents for the 16,000 students she hopes to reach in the next five years.

Through a fellowship offered by her organization, she retrains teachers for a two-year period. The leadership skills they acquire through Anseye Pou Ayiti makes it possible for them to go back to their hometowns and apply excellence-focused programs at the elementary level.

In Part One of the interview, the focus was the background of Anseye Pou Ayiti. Now, we’ve moved the conversation to make it about Nedgine Paul, the person behind the social movement.

Kreyolicious: Is there anything that you used to be lousy at that you’ve gotten better at?
I have struggled with communicating big goals and expectations beyond my immediate circle of family and friends. Being very honest about those things often involve a lot of vulnerability. So much of building the Anseye Pou Ayiti movement requires communicating to different groups, including in-person, remotely, and even with social media.

Kreyolicious: What steps did you take to get to that level?
What has helped me is being curious about new strategies, open to learning, and proactive in getting feedback (positive and critical!) about my communication skills. I looked for a model of what “excellence” in this would look like, I reached out to others for help (peers and mentors who consider communication as a strength!), and I tried to improve one thing at a time (communicating with a small group, making public presentations, practicing a “pitch”). One step at a time was my approach, and I am still working on getting better!

Kreyolicious: What advice would you have for those out there who are reading your story, and who are just a few years away from being 30, or have already turned 30, and who are looking at your accomplishments and making comparisons—unfavorable comparisons…feeling weighed down? You know like,”OMG, look at this girl, she’s on Forbes 30 Under 30.What would you like to say to them?
We are in this together. I truly believe that. I am so honored by the Forbes recognition and my opportunities, but Anseye Pou Ayiti is about a collection, a movement of people who believe and have gotten involved in ways big and small. I absolutely credit all those who have taught me, supported me, laughed with me, and challenged me along the way. I would ask those who are looking at their path: Who do you surround yourself with? Those who inspire you, push you to be your best self, and lift you up when you have doubts? I have been blessed to have that in my life. I can also say I value hard work and have started to get more comfortable with risk taking, which absolutely make a difference when you’re a social entrepreneur.

Kreyolicious: What are you going to be undertaking next?
Now and next is Anseye Pou Ayiti – I am deeply committed to doing whatever I can to make the Anseye Pou Ayiti movement as successful as it can be, changing what people think is possible when society invests in collective leadership so all Haitian children receive the quality education they deserve.

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Anseye Pou Ayiti (Teach for Haiti) is one of the boldest initiatives to launch on behalf of Haiti’s educational system. Founded by Nedgine Paul—an educator—the organization aims to transform classrooms in Haiti through the reprogramming of educators.

Above: Nedgine Paul, founder of Anseye Pou Ayiti.

By its fifth year of existence, APA estimates it will serve 16,000 students from Haiti’s most underserved cities, and will have had about 250 teachers go through its mindset changing, two-year fellowship program.

Nedgine Paul figured on Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 List, and got the attention of pop star John Legend, who lent his name and voice in support of the organization.

Care to know even more about Anseye Pou Ayiti and its founder? Read some more!

Kreyolicious: You grew up in Connecticut. What was that like? Were you close to the Haitian community?
I feel so grateful and privileged to have been born in Haiti, then spend most of my childhood and adolescence in the Haitian community of Norwalk-Stamford, Connecticut. My father was the Episcopal priest leading a Haitian congregation in Stamford, and that opportunity introduced me to the beauty, strength, and power of the Haitian diaspora community. I was able to play an active role in leading youth programs, tutoring, and student enrichment activities in the Haitian community, including the annual Quisqueya Summer Camp for several years. I was very close to the Haitian community, and I believe that gave me an even stronger desire to stay connected with my native Haiti.

Kreyolicious: At the core of Anseye Pou Ayiti is education…We know there is no education without competent teachers and other educators…Who was the teacher who inspired you the most in life?
This is such an important question to me personally, because several teachers have been role models. I have to name two: Madame Salomon, my fourth grade teacher. She is a Haitian educator who taught in a French language immersion program in Maryland where I was enrolled after moving from Haiti. She loved her country, heritage, and culture – and I was privileged to see a model for that, beyond my parents, at a young age. I will also always appreciate Mme Salomon’s emphasis on excellence, effort, and integrity. I continue to push for excellence and strong character in all that I do with students and education efforts.

I also have to name Professor Lillian Guerra, an incredible history professor during my undergraduate years at Yale University. She is an expert historian who focuses on the Caribbean and Latin America. She inspired and encouraged me to immerse myself in the history and truth of Haiti, including grounding my passion for education reform in researching the history of education in Haiti.

Kreyolicious: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment since starting Anseye Pou Ayiti?
I feel my biggest accomplishment has been the opportunity to be a connector with young Haitians in Haiti and the diaspora who believe deeply in the possibility of education equity and a new approach to community leadership in Haiti – and who have shared that Anseye Pou Ayiti is reminding them or reigniting their dream to get involved. I am so grateful that Anseye Pou Ayiti is bringing together people who believe that a new narrative of our beloved Haiti is possible, for Haitians and by Haitians, especially when we join forces to invest in what matters most.

Kreyolicious:What do your folks have to say about their little Nedgine being the head and founder of such an organization and initiative?
They are so incredibly supportive. I could not be more grateful for parents who instilled a deep love and pride of nation, culture, and community in their children, and it has been such a journey for them to see how that has evolved into my role as co-founder of Anseye Pou Ayiti. I thank my parents every chance I get, because I absolutely credit them for teaching me the power of faith, respect, hard work, and community – all of which are woven into my core values today and my leadership.

Kreyolicious:When you’re a leader, people don’t imagine that there are times when you might lack motivation,or that you might have moments of discouragement. How do you handle moments like those?
Faith is number one for me. I wouldn’t and couldn’t have come this far – and hopefully keep moving in the right direction – without having my faith at the center of it all. I am also so grateful for my family, who are always there for support, advice, or even a listening ear whenever needed and even from a distance. I think it’s important to surround ourselves with people who believe in change, who believe we can push against the status quo even during the dark moments. Even having one or two people who believe that in your circle – it makes all the difference. I have to say there is power in joy and laughter too – because this work is so difficult, we have to take some time with people who care and can remind us to celebrate even the mini successes!

Kreyolicious: So, you have a  a B.A. in History from Yale College and an Ed.M. in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Being that you’re practically running a non-profit and you’re a social entrepreneur…would you have done things differently if you had known that this was where life would take you?
No. I wouldn’t have done things differently because I believe my path was not by coincidence. I am so grateful and humbled by the privilege of my experience. It has introduced me to ideas, people, and opportunities that have deepened my belief in and passion for social justice. I would not be the person I am today – what I do and how I do it – without the mix of my experiences.

This concludes PART ONE OF THE INTERVIEW WITH NEDGINE PAUL OF ANSEYE POU AYITI. CHECK OUT PART II…MEANWHILE…

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