You Too Can Make It Right Where You Are in Haiti ― Lyndia Dupré

Lyndia Dupré is the the CEO of Media X and founder of Si Jeunesse Savait (If the youth knows) a platform dedicated to inviting influencers with a specialty subject to share their experience with other young people as they motivate them, encourage them, and inspire them to be the best version of themselves as they live in Haiti. Ms. Dupré wants young people in Haiti to know that they don’t have to leave Haiti to realize their dreams and live at their full potential.

Through her TV Show Si Jeunesse Savait, Ms. Dupré promotes dynamic young people as they make their voices heard and talk about their projects. Such initiative will then help young people to be motivated to make their own moves despite the political, social, and economic challenges in Haiti.

How did you come up with that idea?

I wanted to produce a TV show, something that could help the society as a whole, especially the youth in Haiti. Some young people could do much better, but they need some booster, some more knowledge, some mentorship and role-models in their lives. I wanted to find influencers who can inspire them in their journey, so the youth could say “If they can do it, so can I because they are Haitians like me.”

Therefore, Si Jeunesse Savait brings those who have made it so they can share their ups and downs with other young people as they allow the Haitian youth to understand and know that they too can achieve way much more than they think they could. Moreover, I hope to encourage young Haitians to move forward.

There are many young Haitians who are doing much work in the society, so I put the spotlight on them as well, and this will encourage young people who are discouraged to get creative and tap into their potentials.

What is your background? Also, did you have to learn new skills to get this project going?

I have participated in Haiti Reporters where I gained some skills in Journalism. I have also learned how to create and produce documentaries as well as received entrepreneurial skills. The Netherlands’ government financed the project. Our teachers were from the Netherlands, and there were also some Haitians and American teachers. At 21, I started working for some TV Stations such as Télé Haiti and Storm TV. I had a great experience at Plezi Kanaval 2014. In 2016, I worked at Radio Television Caraïbes (RTVC), then later on left to pursue my goals.

I wanted to focus on this project that is closed to my heart, producing more Hattian series for the Haitian and local media because there is a load of international features in our programming. We need more local production.

How do you brainstorm episodes as well as finding people to interview?

Usually, I don’t look for famous people; hence, I reach out to young people who are doing something interesting in their communities, young people who can be a positive influence on others. I can even choose a young person who is selling sache dlo (bags of water) to make a living would that person has the ability to inspire other youth. 

What were some challenges you face before launching?

Everything went so fast. This is something I have been working on since I left RTVC. I could not find the missing pieces to start it. Every time I want to have an interview ―I would contact Kevin Rousseau, who has been helping me― then an inconvenience arises because I did not have the proper equipment. Nonetheless, last December, I decided to take a leap of faith and got started. I say to myself that I will start with I have, and the rest will come. I invited Kevin Rousseau to help me with the production, I called Winnie Hugot for additional support and then I went public with a teaser video via Facebook.

The public received it well, and from then I invited Etzer Émile who has honored my invite. When I launched my first episode, I received some great and positive feedback from influencers and others from Haiti and abroad. After that, I got to believe that the youth in Haiti was looking for such platform and message. I could see that they want to live a better life, and they are thirsty for such information and promising exchanges so they could move onward.

Some young people have long assumed that one must travel to another country to make it. However, I wanted to show them they too can make it right where they are in Haiti, and they don’t have to relocate to another country to be somebody. I provide a free platform, but you know we can not escape some expenses. Thus, we are certainly looking for partnership and sponsorship to help us sustain this new venture.

What is your favorite quote?

The biggest risk is not taking any risk at all.

What is your message to Haitian millennials living abroad?

Stay connected to your roots. It’s OK to help your family in Haiti but share with them how they can grow. Now and again, your monetary aid makes them lazy. Don’t be a financial support system to Haiti only through donations and remittances. Become a partner. Create a balanced collaboration with your family. Teach them how to build a business with what you are giving them. Encourage and train them on how to make money for themselves. Stop donating but invest!