To our cherished partners, supporters, and friends,
Some stories remind us why we do what we do. They start as a seed of hope planted years ago, weathered by challenges, and bloom into an undeniable testament of community. Today, we are beyond thrilled to share one of those stories with you.
Meet our new Curriculum Director (Director of Pedagogy): John Sampeur, known to many of you as Johnny.
A Journey Forged in Resilience
Many of you who walked alongside us during our early journeys to Haiti in the 2000s will remember Johnny. He was a young boy in Zorangé who suffered a severe foot injury after falling from a tree. In a community where medical care was only accessible through the mobile clinics we began organizing in January 2000, caring for Johnny was an uphill battle.
Through grueling travel logistics and meticulous coordination, our medical team, led by Mary Ellen Decker, stepped in. This effort included volunteers from the United States, Port-au-Prince, and our dedicated local care team in Bainet. We trained a local resident to handle his ongoing wound care, and longtime volunteer John Brown moved mountains to ensure Johnny received advanced treatment in Port-au-Prince.
Johnny’s foot healed, but his trials were far from over. He lost at least two crucial years of schooling to his injury. Yet, what defined Johnny then—and defines him now—is an unyielding, fierce determination. He didn’t just overcome the setback; he used it as fuel.
From Our Classrooms to University Leader
After graduating from our high school in Zorangé, we invested in Johnny’s dream to attend university in Port-au-Prince. Upon graduation, he returned home to give back, stepping into the classroom as one of our finest teachers. Julie Shultz, a volunteer who spent two years working closely with Johnny on the ground, was continually awed by his profound passion for teaching.
After spending the last three years sharpening his administrative and educational expertise with Compassion International, our paths crossed again six months ago. Though he loved his work uplifting young kids, Johnny’s heart remained anchored to our mission.
Today, Johnny has returned home to Hope for Haiti Foundation as our Curriculum Director (Director of Pedagogy). He will oversee our entire school curriculum from Pre-K through high school, bringing a rare blend of visionary leadership and razor-sharp administrative skill.
Johnny is living proof of what happens when resilience meets opportunity. He is a former student who went out into the world, mastered his craft, and returned to lead his own community by collaborating hand-in-hand with local leaders. His passion and dedication to shaping the next generation have no rival.
Built on Your Generosity
We are sharing Johnny’s story to honor him, but equally, to honor you.
Every volunteer who packed a bag, every donor who contributed financially, every person who prayed for our mobile clinics and schools in those early years—this is your victory. Johnny is standing at the helm of our educational future because you believed in a little boy with an injured foot over two decades ago. Your past and ongoing support created the foundation upon which he built his life.
Join Us in Fueling the Next Generation
Johnny’s triumphant rise is a blueprint of what we can accomplish together, and we are fiercely determined to create more success stories just like his. There are countless bright minds across Haiti waiting for their chance to shine, waiting for someone to believe in them.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela
Thank you for your continuous support. Together, our passion and determination can change lives forever.
If you’d like to help Hope for Haiti Foundation continue creating opportunities like Johnny’s for the next generation, we welcome your support. Every gift helps sustain our work in Haiti.
