“Haiti Is Where My Soul Resides”

By Jahana Mayard

Who I Am and What Haiti Means to Me

My name is Jahana Mayard, and I am an aspiring international human rights attorney. I love all things Haiti, and I often say that Haiti chose me. Haiti is the love of my life and, in many ways, part of my purpose for existing on this earth. Before I leave this world, I know that I have a responsibility to fight for a better Haiti and contribute whatever I can toward its transformation.

I have never deceived myself about how difficult that fight will be. Loving Haiti means more than celebrating the country when things are beautiful; it means being willing to enter the field when things are difficult, confront uncomfortable realities, and give the country the very best of myself. Although I was not born in Haiti, my connection to the country is difficult to explain. It is deeper than geography or birthplace. When my life is over, I want to be buried there because Haiti is where I believe my soul resides.

Experiencing Haiti for Myself

My experience in Haiti was marvelous, but it also reinforced something I have long believed: Haiti is one of the most misunderstood countries in the world. There is a Haiti that rarely makes international headlines—a country of extraordinary history, culture, architecture, mountains, beaches, caves, landscapes and people. Haiti possesses many of the things travelers cross the world to experience, yet so much of what the country has to offer remains unknown.

One of the most powerful examples is Citadelle Laferrière, the magnificent fortress overlooking northern Haiti. Standing as one of Haiti's greatest historical treasures, the Citadelle is more than a tourist destination. It is a physical reminder of the determination of the people who fought for their freedom and established the world's first independent Black republic.

I also recently visited Grotte Marie-Jeanne in Port-à-Piment, an extraordinary cave system in southern Haiti. Experiences like this made me realize how much of Haiti remains unexplored and underappreciated by the outside world—and sometimes even by Haitians ourselves.

Then there is the South. Visiting Port-Salut and Pointe Sable was unforgettable. The white sand, blue water and surrounding landscape were breathtaking. Standing there and witnessing Haiti's natural beauty with my own eyes made my heart explode with love for this country. It reminded me that beneath every negative headline and every challenge is an extraordinary nation waiting to be fully recognized.

Haiti is a diamond in the rough. My greatest wish is that Haiti's leaders, its citizens and those of us throughout the diaspora fully recognize the gem that we possess. Haiti should be protected, invested in, responsibly developed and presented to the world with the dignity it deserves.

The Haiti I Hope to See

When it comes to Haiti, I am a firecracker. I do not take matters concerning this country lightly because I know what Haiti has the potential to become. I want to see a Haiti that is secure, prosperous and stable without sacrificing the history, culture and identity that make it unlike anywhere else in the world.

I want young Haitians to be able to envision their futures at home instead of believing success requires leaving. I want our historical treasures protected and our natural beauty responsibly developed. I want communities that flourish, institutions that serve the people, opportunities that allow families to prosper, and a country where Haitians can once again feel pride and confidence in the direction of their nation.

Most importantly, I want Haitians to believe again that Haiti's future belongs to them.

A Message About Haiti's Elections and Future Leadership

As Haiti moves toward another critical chapter in its political history, I have a message for anyone who wants to step forward and ask the Haitian people for the privilege of becoming their president:

Come all the way correct.

This generation is watching. We are asking questions, paying attention and demanding accountability. We expect competence, integrity, transparency and leadership that genuinely puts Haiti and the Haitian people first. The presidency cannot simply be another title to obtain or another position of power to occupy. Anyone seeking that office must understand the magnitude of the responsibility they are asking the Haitian people to entrust to them.

Our generation is standing on two feet and ten toes for Haiti. We love this country too deeply to remain silent, and we love it too much to accept leadership that asks Haitians to continuously lower their expectations.

For me, this is bigger than politics. It is personal. Haiti represents history, identity, sacrifice, possibility and purpose. I have nothing without Haiti, and because of that, I am willing to give everything I can to see the country become what I know it is capable of becoming.

Haiti is the love of my life. Haiti is where my soul resides. And I intend to fight for her.