Please keep all the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers at this time. The unlawfulness, food shortages, lack of fuel, and unsanitary conditions are putting a tremendous strain on the country!
About Us
How We Got Started
During a vacation trip to Haiti in August 2004, Gabie encountered one of her former classmates struggling to sell meager cosmetic products on the side of the road. Gabie immediately thought of her parents who took a boat to migrate to the US; especially her mom who died during her attempt.
Gabie felt compelled to uplift Haitians so they could create and live sustainable dreams in Haiti with pride and dignity. In the aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne on September 2004, where CNN showcased the everyday plight of Haitians, Gabie invited a group of three native-born Haitians to brainstorm how they could empower other Haitians. Through prayer and soul searching Gabie was motivated to move the people of Haiti in a positive direction, and hence the Sonje Ayiti Organization was founded. Sonje Ayiti comes from the Creole translation meaning Remember Haiti. In 2006 a group of International Humanitarians joined hands to uplift Haitians through Education, Economic Development, and Health Promotion. Sonje Ayiti Organization became an official not-for-profit, 501c3, organization in December of 2005 and became a Non-Governmental Organization in Haiti in September 2008.
Our Mission
Sonje Ayiti is a group of Haitian and international humanitarians who collaborate to uplift the Haitian community through education, economic development, and health promotion. The long-term vision is to provide the tools for Haitians to help themselves.
Sonje Ayiti – which means Remember Haiti – was founded to rebuild Haiti in a sustainable manner – and in a way that will bring hope, pride, & dignity to the Haitians impacted by the organization.
Who We Are
Sonje Ayiti is a group of Haitian and International humanitarians who collaborate together to uplift the Haitian community through Economic Development, Education, and Health Promotion.
Marie Gabrielle "Gabie" Aurel
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Gabie was born in Haiti and is an American citizen. She has a BS in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University in Decatur, GA. Gabie has a diverse background in government and development work and is the main driver of Sonje Ayiti in Haiti. Her entrepreneurial leadership and empathy make her the ideal person to execute life-changing projects in a country with many socio-economic challenges.
Steve Mathieu
Chief Operations Officer
Steve is Haitian born and is a U.S. citizen. He has an MBA from Phoenix University and is a retired U.S. Navy officer working in the logistics area. He is also a former U.S. Treasury employee with extensive experience in adminstration as an entreprenuer. Steve is the founder of Societe Agricole de Production et d’Elevage du Nord, SA (SAPEN, SA).
Katie Kool-Wray
Chief Finance Officer
Katie is a U.S. citizen with a B.A. from Kalamazoo College and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. She worked for Procter & Gamble for 27 years in various Finance & Accounting and as the CEO of Tide Cleaners. Katie and her husband, Frank Wray, have been active with Sonje Ayiti for over 10 years leading funding raising and development efforts for the Cima School of Hope.
Dr. Heather Hall
International Development Director
Heather is a U.S. citizen with an MBA from Mercer University, a Masters of Science in Public Policy Analysis from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Ph. D in Public Policy and Public Administration from Walden University. Dr. Hall has consulted in the business, nonprofit, and government sectors for many years in management roles and has been a committed volunteer to organizations that strive to improve the human condition.
Dr. Frank Wray
Secretary
Frank is a U.S. citizen with a B.A. from Hastings College, an M.S. from Eastern Illinois University, and a Ph. D from the University of Kansas. Frank has been in academia for over 20 years at both the University of Cincinnati and Western Governors University. Along with Katie Kool-Wray, his wife, he is active in continuing the development of the Cima School of Hope, as well as supporting the overall efforts of Sonje Ayiti.
Carol Lyvers
Education Director
Carol is a U.S. citizen with a B.S. in marketing from the University of Louisville. Carol first went to Haiti in 2010, working with a few different nonprofit organizations there. Meeting Sonje Ayiti founder Gabie Aurel, visiting Cima School of Hope and meeting adults and children whose lives have improved because of the Sonje Ayiti Organization is why Carol is working to find a sponsor for every student at Cima School.
Betty St Pierre Lafontant
Fundraising Director
Betty is a U.S. Citizen who was born in Haiti. She has a Masters in Organizational Management with a concentration in Global Management. Betty currently is a multi-site branch manager for J.P. Morgan and has been in the industry for the last 27 years. Betty’s experience with non-profit foundations dates back over 15 years where she has had various roles in those foundations.
Want to Learn More?
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