While R.I.I.S.E. is a young nonprofit, our roots in northern Haiti run deep. Executive Directors Dr. Thony Voltaire and Shields Sundberg have worked in partnership for more than twenty years in service of Haitian communities. While the needs in Haiti are vast, our work focuses on the roots of systemic inequality: nutrition and education. We believe Haitians are best positioned to shape a brighter future—one grounded in indigenous culture, a remarkable history, and a shared commitment to fairness. Our role is to strengthen the foundations that make that future possible.
Sustainable Nutrition
Every future initiative depends on the capacity to meet the foundational need for sustainable nutrition. Northern Haiti is home to expert agronomists, lush growing conditions, and robust markets. However, many residents are currently facing severe shortages due to fuel and supply interruptions caused by political violence and external aid shortages. R.I.I.S.E-Haiti helps close the gap. Support our effort to supply families in Borgne with complete nutrition. Read more about food insecurity in Haiti here.
Learning for Justice
Learning for Justice grew from a simple idea: meaningful learning requires epistemic justice. In Borgne, five committed teachers created a social literacy program to help young girls recognize their self-worth and claim their voices in local schools. In the United States, the work is parallel—learning to look beyond headlines to understand the world as it is,
not as we assume it to be.
Through shared inquiry and collaborative projects, students explore responsibility, care for future generations, the power of difference, and the importance of long-term commitment. By pairing lived experience with historical and structural analysis, participants develop the insight and humility needed to
lead change that truly matters.
