Lumos is delighted to announce that our Project Manager for Haiti, Eugene Jr Guillaume, has been identified as a ‘Human Rights Hero’ by the US Embassy in Haiti, for his work with vulnerable children and families.

“We want to end with this obsolete system that separates children from their families and replace it with family and community care services that enable children to access medical, educational and social services adapted to their needs.”

Eugene has been working for Lumos Haiti since our work began in the country in 2015, implementing deinstitutionalisation at all levels. Before this, he spent several years at the International Rescue Committee, concentrating on family tracing and reunification work in Haiti after the earthquake of 2010

In 2012, he began working alongside the government, leading the first assessment process of all orphanages and other institutions in Haiti, and implemented the first deinstitutionalisation project in the west of the country. He is also considered to be a pioneer of the ‘foster care family framework’ which facilitates the development of accredited foster cares in Haiti.

His dedication to helping vulnerable children move out of institutions and back into the community, while also supporting families to provide the care that is required, has been recognised by the US Embassy through this honour. Eugene explains;

“It is recognition of Lumos’ work in Haiti, and this honour also goes out to every single Lumos member of staff involved in the Haiti programme.” 

Lumos thanks Eugene for his commitment to our mission to end the institutionalisation of children, and offer him our warmest congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.