A Conversation With SOIL Board Member: Daniel Tillias

Daniel Tillias, a seasoned community development agent and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, was recently invited to participate in an interview for SOIL. Recognized as the 2019 CNN Hero, Daniel has pioneered sustainable initiatives like ALAVET AYITI, FATRAKA, Generation Leader 2030, Job Power, and serves as SOIL’s Board Co-Chair.

Focused on underserved communities, particularly in Cite Soleil, Daniel co-founded SAKALA in 2006, the largest Community Center in Cite Soleil, housing Haiti's largest urban garden. His innovative work has earned international prizes and recognition.

Daniel's vision centers on green jobs, education, and diaspora involvement for Haiti's development. Join us as we explore his journey and insights through the interview below.

​​​​1. Can you please tell us a little about yourself? (i.e. your work/ educational background, experience and/ or any personal details that you’d like to share)

I’d like to introduce myself as a community leader, that can relate to many of the experiences the communities I’m involved in are facing. I was born in Port-au-Prince and grew up in one of the most challenging neighborhoods in the country, Cite Soleil. After high school, I decided to start a community center that would address the needs of our youth so they can thrive and become citizens that can make a difference in their communities, instead of getting involved in gang activity. I also have a master's degree in community development and peacebuilding, which I consider very useful in terms of what needs to be done in Haiti.

2. Who are some of your biggest influences or role models in the field of community development and why?

I always feel that I am where I am because I've been surrounded by great leaders who influence me with their humility and personality. They have a sense of determination to achieve good things for communities that they are often not even a part of. I grew up watching people like my church minister, who came into Cite Soleil and tried to make a difference by starting programs to address the harsh conditions of people living in the area. At my own church, there was a pastor who had all the opportunities to take care of himself and not think about others, but decided to help those in need.

Over the years I had the chance to be surrounded with teachers and principals who were mostly from abroad and who came to Haiti because they felt there was a need to be met. They sacrificed time and a good part of their life, trying to make a difference. 

3. As someone who grew up in Haiti, could you share a pivotal moment or experience from your childhood in Cite Soleil that has shaped your dedication to community development?

As someone who grew up in Haiti, I believe the real moment for me was when I was visiting a prison with people who were doing human rights work. So many times I had prisoners who recognized me, asking me to tell their uncle, mom, dad, or brothers that they're doing well. 

People asked me if I had worked there before, but I hadn’t. A lot of the people who were in the cells were people who grew up with me. From there, I knew I wanted to create something to keep people from getting themselves into situations that landed them in jail. That's when I started Project Sakala, to provide youth with educational support so they don’t feel like they need to join gangs.

4. What are your key priorities and goals for the coming years in terms of sustainable development?

Right now in terms of key priorities and goals, I want to see more economic opportunities like for youth in Haiti because over the years I've noticed that whatever I've done in terms of providing the space for athletics and support, it's not enough. 

My key priority right now is to be able to provide youth from all over Haiti to have access to jobs and build a culture of self sufficiency and independence to give them a sense of self worth. I would like to partner with different businesses from all over Haiti to hire our youth and support environmental needs like growing of food that is very needed in the country. 

5. How did you get connected to SOIL? (how did you hear about our work? What was your interest in getting involved with the organization? Do you have a connection to Haiti?)

I was working as an interpreter and I met Sasha. I was really into the work that SOIL was doing because I know how much of an issue sanitation is.

6. What is the impact that you see SOIL is having and why do you feel that it is important? (On communities & individuals? On the environment? On public health?)

When people don’t have access to sanitation, it causes all kinds of diseases where people die. When someone dies, the cycle of growth for the family comes to a halt. 

In terms of mindset, we are surrounded by such poor environmental and sanitation conditions that it’s easy to undervalue ourselves. Or even to consider life with its full potential because we can’t see past our current circumstances. Having SOIL was a sign that maybe we could fix our sanitation problems, while sending a powerful message to Haitians that we are capable of more. 

The whole concept of turning waste into resources is something great, because people have always seen us [Haitians] as waste and trash. So for us to see a concept like this that is turning waste into valuable resources that no one would think was possible, was kind of like a mantra for me. 

SOIL is showing that there can be a better way, even in terms of an NGO that is established in Haiti. They respect the people, they bring in foreigners that speak the language, they hire locals and 

are addressing an important need. Not only is SOIL bettering community environments, but also individuals that now see themselves differently because of the work they’re able to do.

7. How important do you believe collaboration with international organizations and the Haitian diaspora is for the development of Haiti?

Some people might say that Haiti is in its current state because international institutions put us here – creating a problem that they could not solve. But I see it differently. I believe that international organizations have a duty to fix what has been done over the years to Haiti. And the Haitian diaspora will have to be more involved, as they are a potential resource that is not considered enough. They send more funds back to Haiti than all aid combined. If we can structure their remittances toward more impact investments, we will have hit the jackpot!

8. As the Board Co-Chair, what would you say are the top three skills and abilities you've been able to bring to SOIL’s Board of Visitors over the past few years?

I always feel that it's so much of a privilege for me to join the board because it raised my profile as someone who is in one of the best organizations in Haiti. I have a sense of community dynamic and some crazy ideas that are worth exploring if we get to a point where we can use some of them.

I also help with translations, helping to bridge the gap between locals and visitors. I’m able to work with experts and consultants to ensure they don’t miss important aspects of SOIL’s work.

9. Where do you hope to see Haiti in the next 10 years?

I hope to see Haiti as a model place where SOIL is eventually eliminated because Haiti has decided to do things in a different way. We have all the resources available, we just need to know whom to avoid and whom to ally with. 

We will be a model that people will talk about when we come to a point of unity. It starts with jobs and that's why I like what SOIL is doing. I started a project in the North, to see how I could use like 100% of the compost that SOIL is making. My dream is that we could use this as a foundation where we can showcase what is possible. And from here, we can continue to achieve more.