KRISTIN LEE- FOUNDER/ DIRECTOR
Kristin visited Haiti for the first time in 2012 and it turned her world "right-side up." After her second visit in 2013, she knew she had to do more than just visit once a year. Out of that realization, the Dear Zanmi Pen Pal Project was born...and eventually Zanmi Project. Connecting and traveling with April and Paul several times in 2014 inspired Kristin in ways she never saw coming. Haiti has truly become a passion and Kristin feels that everything that has happened in her life has led her to her work in Haiti...work that gives her a huge sense of purpose. When she looks at the kids in Haiti, she sees so much beauty, possibility and hope....and is so proud to be able to help them in some small way. When she is not planning her next trip, Kristin is the Promotion Manager for Live 5 News, Charleston, South Carolina's CBS affiliate and runs a small family photography business.
Kristin visited Haiti for the first time in 2012 and it turned her world "right-side up." After her second visit in 2013, she knew she had to do more than just visit once a year. Out of that realization, the Dear Zanmi Pen Pal Project was born...and eventually Zanmi Project. Connecting and traveling with April and Paul several times in 2014 inspired Kristin in ways she never saw coming. Haiti has truly become a passion and Kristin feels that everything that has happened in her life has led her to her work in Haiti...work that gives her a huge sense of purpose. When she looks at the kids in Haiti, she sees so much beauty, possibility and hope....and is so proud to be able to help them in some small way. When she is not planning her next trip, Kristin is the Promotion Manager for Live 5 News, Charleston, South Carolina's CBS affiliate and runs a small family photography business.
APRIL COOPER- DIRECTOR
April works for a lighting company in Dallas and also runs her own non-profit, Magic Beans Corp., serving children in need. She has a teenage daughter and lives in the Dallas area. Volunteering has always been a huge part of her adult life and she has spent much of her free time organizing volunteer events and clothing drives. Over the past couple years she has found her passion and purpose in Haiti and traveled back many times to support the programs so close to her heart. April signed her daughter up for a pen pal program (Dear Zanmi Project) and through that program she met Kristin. After traveling together to Haiti in 2014, partnerships were developed and their shared dedication for the children became the foundation for a great friendship. April's dream is to offer a little hope to children in need, near and far.
April works for a lighting company in Dallas and also runs her own non-profit, Magic Beans Corp., serving children in need. She has a teenage daughter and lives in the Dallas area. Volunteering has always been a huge part of her adult life and she has spent much of her free time organizing volunteer events and clothing drives. Over the past couple years she has found her passion and purpose in Haiti and traveled back many times to support the programs so close to her heart. April signed her daughter up for a pen pal program (Dear Zanmi Project) and through that program she met Kristin. After traveling together to Haiti in 2014, partnerships were developed and their shared dedication for the children became the foundation for a great friendship. April's dream is to offer a little hope to children in need, near and far.
LANEY LANE- DIRECTOR
Laney is a retired school teacher of 28 years with a passion for serving others. She can often be found volunteering somewhere...whether it's in her church, community or former school. Laney was invited to return to Haiti with Kristin in the summer of 2014. It was a matter of a few days that she realized that her heart had fallen in love with this community, the children and the programs that Kristin was involved with. She went there with one sponsor child and came home with two. It was a done deal that her heart would be invested with Zanmi Project and New Hope Orphanage for a very long time.
Laney is a retired school teacher of 28 years with a passion for serving others. She can often be found volunteering somewhere...whether it's in her church, community or former school. Laney was invited to return to Haiti with Kristin in the summer of 2014. It was a matter of a few days that she realized that her heart had fallen in love with this community, the children and the programs that Kristin was involved with. She went there with one sponsor child and came home with two. It was a done deal that her heart would be invested with Zanmi Project and New Hope Orphanage for a very long time.
KESNEL "PAUL" TOUSSAINT- PROJECT MANAGER/ HAITI OPERATIONS
Paul is the man with all the plans and the man who makes everything happen! We refer to him as the "Mayor of Montrouis." He has his finger on the pulse of his community and a heart full of love for his country. He knows who needs help, the best way to help and how to make it all happen quickly. He is married with two children and also runs an internet cafe in downtown Montrouis, called Hope Multiservices. He is a very well-known, respected and loved member of his community and does so many good things for his country. |