BWASA HAITI ZANTRAY KRESAN - The Story of Ralphie Léonie Nelson and BHZK
Ralphie Nelson
Prologue - Roots and Destiny
Born in Cap-Haïtien at the Justinien Hospital, Ralphie Léonie Nelson grew up deeply rooted in the land that gave her life. She completed her primary education at Juvénat Collège Frères du Sacré-Cœur. She then pursued her secondary studies at the Adventist Seminary of Diquini.
In 1986, the country plunged into uncertainty after the fall of the Duvalier regime. Her family left Haiti for the United States in search of safety and stability.
There, she built a remarkable career spanning 27 years in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in clinical research management. Ralphie became a respected professional, a woman of discipline, structure, and vision.
A mother of three children-two sons and one daughter-she never forgot her roots. All the knowledge and experience acquired abroad, she now chooses to give back to her homeland. Her mission: to build, to convey, and to serve Haiti.
Agronome Frantz Pierre
Agronome Frantz Pierre was born in Jacmel, Haiti. He is a dedicated agricultural professional and entrepreneur. His life and work are deeply rooted in legacy, resilience, and service to the land. He is the heir to the historic Bwasa Haiti business. It was founded in 1894 and reintroduced his grandfather, Christopher Lapierre. He was a pioneer of Haiti's rum industry and one of the early builders of a nationally rooted agro-industrial tradition.
Coming from humble beginnings, Agronome Pierre learned early the value of discipline, hard work, and respect for the land. These values shaped both his personal journey and professional mission. He completed his secondary education at the Séminaire Adventiste de Diquini. There, he developed a strong foundation in leadership, ethics, and community service.
Guided by ancestral knowledge and modern agricultural principles, Agronome Frantz Pierre has dedicated his career to revitalizing Haiti's agricultural sector. Through his work, he honors the legacy passed down from his grandfather. He advances sustainable agriculture, agro-transformation, and national food sovereignty.
His journey reflects a powerful truth: heritage and humility, when merged with vision, can shape a nation's future. Perseverance plays a vital role in this transformation.
The Emerging Vision
In the fertile plains of Fort-Liberté and Saillant, a dream began to take shape. The goal was to revitalize Haitian agriculture and resurrect the country's economic soul.
Ralphie envisioned a productive, proud, and sovereign Haiti. Together with, Agronomist Pierre, a former agro-industrial biologist, they laid the foundations for an integrated agricultural model.
They revived the cultivation of:
- Yon Paff tobacco, for local industry and export
- Sugarcane, to produce an emblematic rum
- Corn, for flour, oil, and seeds
- Grand Fanm rice, for food self-sufficiency
- Zabeille honey, a symbol of natural sweetness
- And various beans, a pillar of national nutrition
The Return of their passion
They both devoted themselves body and soul to Rhum Belkok. They aimed to create an integrated agricultural and industrial program. This program included planting, production, processing, and commercialization.
This was not merely an economic project. It was a social and national mission:
Its goals were to restore dignity to labor. It aimed to rekindle hope. Another goal was to revive agricultural education. Finally, it sought to reconnect the people with the land.The Search for Allies
With determination and faith, she seeks financial partners. Her guiding principle was clear:
Develop Haiti without dependence on politics.But the dream was threatened. The manufacturing factory in Tabarre, Port-au-Prince, was set on fire. Threats loomed over the team. Yet they stood firm. They never retreated.
Reconstruction and Expansion
They rebuilt in Saillant. They also prepared expansion toward the North of Haiti and other regions in the South. They recognized the importance of these areas in their journey ahead. The community came together. Each member contributed their unique skills and perspectives. They created a plan to ensure sustainability and growth for generations to come.
Thus was born BHZK - Bwasa Haïti Zantray Kresan, a symbol of heritage, land, resistance, and rebirth. This initiative was more than just a rebuilding effort. It represented the spirit of the people. It showed their deep connection to the land. It also demonstrated their unwavering commitment to preserving their culture.
The establishment of BHZK sparked a renewed sense of pride among the residents. They began to celebrate their history. They also looked toward a brighter future. BHZK used education, cultural exchange, and community engagement. These efforts aimed to unite the voices of the past with the aspirations of the future. It fostered a sense of identity and purpose. This empowerment would help the community to thrive.
The consent issues of Ouanaminthe border between Haiti and Dominican Republic prompted Ralphie to take action. She launched KRESAN - Kombit Rebwazman Edikasyon Sante Agrikol Nasyonal. It is a civic movement to protect, reforest, and rebuild Haiti's agriculture.