Fueled By Local Hands: Haiti

FUELED BY LOCAL HANDS

Meet Some of Our Haitian Staff

CORE has a remarkable and diverse team of 100+ Haitian staff on the ground, some of whom initially joined us in response to the devastating 2010 earthquake. Over the years, they have faced and supported some of the worst disasters and humanitarian emergencies—each compounding the country’s vulnerability and instability more than the last. Through it all, CORE’s Haiti teams have continued to embrace communities and the work with compassion, determination, and courage.

Because of their support, CORE continues to provide ongoing disaster response and recovery, education, climate resilience, health access, and economic opportunities to vulnerable communities throughout the country. Get to know some of our vital team members below.

USAID-BHA_Food Security_Launch_Haiti Staff

Clausel Striplet

Like many of our Haitian staff, Clausel began working for CORE, then-known as J/P HRO, following the 2010 earthquake that left the Port-au-Prince and surrounding cities in ruins. A mechanic by trade, he helped transport other responders around the area and aided emergency efforts as needed.

Since joining CORE, he’s travelled around the country supporting communities after Hurricane Matthew in 2016, the 2021 earthquake in the South, and more. As a driver and mechanic, his role is particularly important in Haiti where roads and travel can be extremely dangerous. Clausel has to navigate frequent natural disasters, disruptions to infrastructure, roadblocks, and safety threats to transport critical relief supplies and CORE staff where they need to go safely.

But Clausel considers himself a “multitasking humanitarian worker”; when he’s not driving, he’s on the ground supporting the team’s distribution, procurement, and administrative needs. Most recently, he was in Port-au-Prince distributing food to thousands of people impacted by the severe food crisis brought on by escalated gang violence and instability in the capital city.

“The drivers are the feet of the NGO. Just as a human being feels that their feet are very important for them to move and to operate normally, so drivers are important for the organization. That’s why I feel proud of what I am doing.”

Charline Charles

Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Charline is a career humanitarian. She worked in different administrative capacities for 10 years supporting various USAID projects in northern Haiti before connecting with CORE in 2016 to join our Hurricane Matthew response.

Today, she is based in the Sud (South) department, serving as the Office Manager for our USAID BHA program and overseeing its daily operations and administration. Following the August 2021 earthquake that rocked the South, CORE and BHA launched a multi-sector recovery program to support folks with cash for work debris removal, livelihoods support, and food security and water.

Charline has seen and heard firsthand the impact of the team’s work over the last few years. She often fields calls at the office from people grateful for CORE’s support or from partners commending the work. Charline recognizes how deeply CORE is embedded into the region and takes pride in our true connection to the community.

“Despite the rain, despite the riots, despite the situation in the country, the team is never too tired to try. When road access is difficult employees sometimes walk kilometers. Truly, there is soul in what we do.”

Emmanuel Piervil

Emmanuel is the manager of Plezi Mizik, a longstanding music program in Port-au-Prince started by CORE and Music Heals International. A native of Artibonite Department’s Gonaïves commune, Emmanuel is a career musician, with more than 25 years spent as a flutist, saxophonist, drummer, pianist, and teacher. In addition to his role with CORE, he is a professor of music at STEP (Evangelical Theology Seminary of Port-au-Prince), one of the most prestigious Haitian Theology schools, and he also supports various Haitian evangelical bands.

Since Plezi Mizik’s inception in 2014, Emmanuel has provided music education to hundreds of Haitian students and watched as they’ve developed their technical skills, confidence, and passion for music. The program plays a vital role in the community, serving as a safe space for children and teens to embrace routine and creativity amid persistent instability and violence in the streets. Emmanuel prepares the students for concerts throughout the year and takes tremendous pride in their growth during their time in the program.

“My favorite memory remains the performance of our children during our very first participation in the PAP Jazz festival…The spectators were both amazed and excited to see how such young children could create such an atmosphere and demonstrate such remarkable talent. It is an unforgettable moment, engraved in the history of the project, and which symbolizes all the potential and passion of our students.”

Garry Calixite

Garry was born in the Sud-Est (South-East) department in Bainet but grew up in Port-au-Prince. He still lives there today with his wife, baby daughter, and mother, while working with other Haitian staff at the base office.

Garry came to CORE after spending over a decade as a communications specialist working with various international nonprofits in Haiti. He travels around the country to document CORE’s emergency responses and diverse programs, including our climate resilience programs, the School of Hope and Sunshine, and the Plezi Mizik music program. Garry has also represented CORE on major media outlets such as PBS Newshour and ABC News Live.

In many cases, Garry is our eyes and ears on the ground. During the most recent emergency food distributions in Port-au-Prince, he connected with many mothers and community members who received much needed food for their families. While in Nippes, he listened to the stories of farmers hired through our cash for work programs who were using their livelihoods to feed their extended family. And in 2023, he travelled to five communes in the Sud department to learn about the women who received financial literacy training and grants to grow their small businesses.

“Naturally, I feel concerned about other people’s problems. The ideal for me would be to see a world without suffering where everyone is happy. Being in a position where I am able to help vulnerable people. For me, it’s doing what I am born to do.”

Anise Philius

In a chance encounter, Anise met CORE’s Co-founder, Sean Penn, who had been on the ground in Haiti supporting urgent and complex relief efforts for the millions impacted by the 2010 earthquake. Despite 14 years of private sector experience, Anise felt compelled to switch career paths and began working for a nonprofit specializing in health. Three years later, she joined J/P HRO as a volunteer and never looked back.

Starting in 2014, Anise served as the Country Director Assistant for six years before becoming the Administration Director for CORE Haiti. Today, she plays a pivotal role in planning, developing, and implementing CORE’s diverse, nationwide programming. Anise is a touchpoint for all of CORE’s Haitian staff and a true representative of our mission.

“Working for CORE, my biggest motivation is helping my Haitian brothers and sisters in need. I feel proud of my position. I feel that I am helping my country.”

Learn more about our locally led programs in Haiti, which has reached millions over the last 14 years. Team members like Clausel, Charline, Emmanuel, Garry, and Anise truly drive our work and mission. Their commitment to uplifting their community both in emergency contexts and beyond inspires and propels us to continue serving those most in need.