My name is Alexandra Jaboin, and I am a Team Leader with Build Change in Haiti. In March 2016, I will have been working with Build Change for 4 years.
I decided to become an engineer because many of my teachers in school were engineers. I excelled in scientific subjects, and my professors encouraged me to go into engineering. I would like to continue my education and get my Masters in Structural Engineering. This would allow me to continue providing expertise to the reconstruction of Haiti, and encourage knowledge growth for sustainable development.
Although it is not easy to be a female engineer in Haiti, as the culture is still much more accustomed to having male engineers, nothing is more satisfying than having overcome these challenges and seeing the results of my work. The communities we work in never miss an occasion to let me know that my work is valued and appreciated, and this encouragement keeps me motivated to continue.
There is still a lot of work to be done in the construction sector, but I am proud to be working with Build Change to focus on homeowner-driven construction efforts. Training homeowners, local builders, and local brick makers leaves a strong legacy in the communities where we work, and I am happy to be a part of it.