Marie Joe Biography
Marie Dorcemont Cevere (Marie Joe) , treasurer of Fondation D’ Amour Joseph Tilin Dorcemont Et Imenia Ducelus Corp. (Fondation D’ Amour), manages this organization alongside her husband Evel Cevere, the president, her brother Jean Brice Dorcemont, Vice President, and two other members. They have supported and helped bring about the vision of reforming their community in Haiti.
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Marie Joe has decided to start this foundation in order to fill a need within her village and its surroundings. Marie Joe grew up in Rousseau, Cavaillon, Cayes, Haiti and describes her community as having been adversely affected by poverty. She realized the lack of educational resources, access to healthcare, and basic human necessities.
In her village, and many surrounding villages, access to school, first aid, medication, transportation, and information is lacking. Marie Joe relocated to America where she received an education in nursing. She earned her LPN in 1988 and later furthered her education and became a Registered Nurse in the state of Florida in 1999. She has over twenty years of nursing experience and has lived her life in service to others.
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During her visits home to Rousseau she would observe the children lacking basic necessities, drive by the crumbling infrastructures, and anxiously watch the degradation of her town. Marie Joe recalls constantly pleading “someone needs to do something”. Eventually, Marie Joe tired of waiting for others to take action and began taking the actions necessary to bring about change herself. Marie Joe believes that in order to bring about change she must get in the fire with the people of her community and actively work to promote that change.
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She started by traveling to Haiti in 2015 on mission trips, with help from her family, friends, and coworkers, by bringing bookbags, food, and medical supplies to the people of the village. However, her work did not stop there; Marie Joe wanted to get even more involved, so with help from her two brothers, Jean Brice Dorcemont (Yveno) and Noguere Dorcemont (Jean Dupuy). She began building a community center in 2017. The center provides a safe place that includes: a canteen, clinic,tuition assistance, tutoring, books, clothing, and community engagement activities. While Marie Joe’s actions have brought about positive outcomes for many community members.
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In 2022, while on a mission trip to Haiti, Marie Joe was kidnapped and held hostage for seven days in her attempt to bring food, water, and resources to village members. During those seven days, Marie Joe was badly beaten, burned, and isolated. She was released only after her family paid a lump sum of money for her return. While egregious, Marie Joe forgives her assailants and contributes their actions to the victimization from the system. She believes that the people of Haiti are merely trying to survive.
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Her kidnapping only solidified her vision; it was a sign from God that the work she was doing was essential and she must continue to work towards a Haiti that is advancing. Consequently, Marie Joe continues to run her community center, send resources, and plan for the future of Fondation D’Amour. In such a short period of time, Marie Joe’s idea has blossomed into a real vision. Her staff consist of her dedicated board of directors, two nurses, a cook, a teacher, and several volunteers in Haiti and America. She gives thanks to God for blessing her and using her as a vessel to bless others. Marie Joe is a humble servant of God merely doing the work the Lord has called her for.
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Marie Joe is a visionary that is certain that Haiti can be a thriving and vibrant country, but we must build that country brick by brick, day by day, village by village. She hopes to continue her work in Haiti and grow the organization. Marie Joe says “the Haitian people are strong” and their perseverance, strength, and love will prevail above all else. Fondation D’ Amour is the expression of love in the purest form and this organization will continue to not only do the work but spread love as they continue to work for the betterment of Haiti through their service.