Beyond Me Initiative (BMI) is one of the most amazing non-profits in Indiana! They provide cultural products and experiences that empower communities in Haiti and inspire people to live beyond themselves. BMI provides Haitian cuisine services, tours, music, and merchandise. They use all the proceeds to help with job creation, infrastructure, and community-driven development in Haiti. They are always doing something new, creative, and amazing to bring change in the lives of others!
I volunteered with this organization when I was at Anderson University. We helped form a campus club that helped BMI raise $25,000 for community development in Haiti in 2014. The organizational leaders took a tour across Haiti to deliver grants to seven different communities. Some of the projects accomplished included rebuilding orphanages, homes, caring for the orphans, widows, giving people clean water, and so much more. Although I did not get a chance to go on the Beyond Me Tour that year, I helped design t-shirts, put on beneficial concerts, and ran the campus club at Anderson University to spread more awareness about Beyond Me Initiative!
Watson and Madisyn George are the founders of this organization. They have an incredible story. They were both born in Haiti and adopted by separate American families. Watson got a chance to go back to Haiti in 2012 to reconnect with his biological family. He partnered with a missionary that had rescued him in Haiti to start sponsoring a school in his community. This paved the way for Beyond Me Initiative to form! Watson met Madisyn at Anderson University, where he helped her reconnect with her family in 2014 as well. The two began dating and forming BMI together in 2015. Learn more about their story and their impact at www.livebeyondyou.org.
