I grew up in a small rural town in Haiti near the city of Cavaillon where I was surrounded by nature and constant care. My parents moved to the South while fleeing gang violence in Port-Au-Prince in 2000. It was serendipitous that my parents raised me in Cavaillon because it was in this small town I discovered the foundation of my identity. As an International student from Haiti, seeing Haiti and my people drown in hunger and desperation hurts my heart and degrades my pride. The 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2010 shattered the peacefulness of what appeared to be an ordinary day in the southern peninsula of my hometown. In the face of such a catastrophe, my helplessness only fuelled my indignation as I became desperate for the opportunity to lend a hand. I had no idea that my intimate involvement with the tragedy would derail my aspirations to lead my family out of poverty and contribute to global organizations that are empowering destitute youth.

As a first-gen international student, I have accomplished so much with the few resources I have had access to. However, financing my undergraduate education was a challenge for me and my family. I had to work hard to secure scholarships and other forms of financial aid to make my dreams of attending college a reality. Despite these obstacles, I persevered and I am proud to have completed my undergraduate degree. I am extremely grateful for the scholarship I received from Mentor’s Foundation. Without their support, I may not have been able to attend college and pursue my dreams. The scholarship has provided me with not only financial assistance but also a sense of encouragement and support. I am thankful to Mentor’s Foundation for believing in me and investing in my future. Their generosity has made a significant impact on my life.

In addition to my academic achievements, I have gained valuable work experience in the technology industry, working at the Amazon headquarters in technology optimization. This has provided me with invaluable skills. Although I find my contribution to the technology industry has been fulfilling, I remain committed to giving back to society through my involvement with Second Serve as a Board Member. Through Second Serve, I’ve made positive impacts on the lives of others by overseeing global operations and programs in 14+ countries and 26 US States. Giving back to society has been a rewarding experience, and I hope to continue to do so in the future.

I will soon be pursuing a master’s degree in Engineering Management at Dartmouth College. While I am unsure what the future holds, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. I am confident that this program will provide me with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the corporate industry, and I look forward to applying what I learn to make a positive impact on society. Additionally, I plan to continue serving my community through volunteer work and other philanthropic efforts. Giving back has been a central part of my life, and I am committed to continuing this work in the future.

The Mentors Foundation scholarship has provided me with the financial support necessary to pursue my dreams and achieve my goals. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity that they have given me. I also want to thank my mentors who have been instrumental in my success. Their guidance and wisdom have helped me navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life, and I am forever grateful for their support. Thank you to the Mentors Foundation team for helping me become the person I am today.

Mentors Foundation has helped me to be the first in my family to attend university. As a university graduate, I will be able to mentor other children in Haiti who are hoping to find someone to help them. I can demonstrate my gratefulness for all the opportunities given to me, by providing opportunities to others in my family and community. Most importantly, Mentors Foundation has given me the opportunity to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor.