Episode 04
From Riding Through Puddles to Leading with Hope for Haiti
Overview:
Meet Skyler Badenoch, CEO of the organization Hope for Haiti. During this conversation, we bring you back to Skyler’s early days. The days when he was a serial intern, eager to learn anything and everything about the world. His first experiences within the world of public health was in West Africa where he found himself serving for the Peace Corps. He speaks of moments of riding through earthy puddles in torrential downpour, running around with children who teased him for his terrible native language skills, delivering polio vaccines, and living in close quarters with women who had little access to maternal healthcare. He grew his passion for service and international development by working for an organization called BuildOn, building schools in several countries around the world. This is where he met a mentor and leader that exuded what it means to be truly courageous. Now, as the CEO of Hope for Haiti, he continues to live into his values by serving the people of Haiti to live joyous and full lives. His countless stories will leave you thinking… “Have I had a ‘riding through puddles moment’ in my life”?
Episode Highlights:
-
Skyler brings us back to the beginning (01:40)
-
Skyler's time in the Peace Corps in West Africa (06:00)
-
Skyler’s parents reactions to him joining the Peace Corps (15:42)
-
Intense experiences while at the Peace Corps (16:45)
-
Learning to speak the local language and how important it was to Skyler (17:50)
-
Building schools with BuildOn (20:35)
-
The reverse culture shock after coming back from West Africa (20:50)
-
Skyler’s experiences working with BuildOn in Haiti (22:36)
-
The BuildOn methodology (25:28)
-
Moving into the role of CEO for Hope for Haiti (31:52)
-
How Hope for Haiti has collaborated with other organizations to create impact (36:42)
-
How Hope for Haiti measures outcomes for poverty and the resilience of people after natural disasters and instability (42:05)
-
Hope for Haiti’s vision (48:30)
-
Courage is… (50:38)
-
Skyler’s one act of courage (57:09)
-
How to get in contact with Skyler and learn about Hope for Haiti (01:02:41)
Quote Summarizing episode
“It can’t always be hardship and difficulties… we can find, even in some of the most difficult places, and even in some of the most difficult circumstances, when appropriate, you can find humor and levity.” - Skyler
Courageous Quotes:
“No running water, no electricity, but a lot of culture” - Skyler
“I hope one day, I’m doing something that gives me as much fulfillment as riding my bicycle through puddles in the rain” - Skyler
“It can’t always be hardship and difficulties… we can find, even in some of the most difficult places, and even in some of the most difficult circumstances, when appropriate, you can find humor and levity.” - Skyler
“Sometimes your hardest experiences are your fondest memories” - Skyler
“If you are doing important work with the people you care about, it feels meaningful” - Skyler
“You can have the best strategic plan in place, but it’s only good as the people who implement it” - Skyler
“Courage is… at the center of where experience and core values intersect” - Skyler
Interesting Facts:
Hope for Haiti uses several monitoring and evaluation tools, including the Poverty Probability Index to measure long-term program results. In their most recent 5-year study, it was observed a 20% decrease in the probability of absolute poverty in partner communities from baseline to year 5.
Where to Donate & Learn more
Learn More About Hope for Haiti
Learn More About BuildOn
