Meet Kia Harris of Dare Humanity

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kia Harris.

Kia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Dare Humanity was established in 2015 with the idea to provide opportunities through health education and international aid. I was 24 at the time, and all I had was an idea and my faith. The work of the organization began with small community events to empower youth and connect with the communities in Riverside and Los Angeles County.

That same year I was sponsored to go to Haiti on a medical mission trip for seven days. Over the period of seven days, a group of medical professionals, pre-medical students and I provided much needed medical services to communities living in poverty in Montrouis, Haiti.

My first time in Haiti began to change me from the inside out, and I returned to the States with a feeling of urgency to do something about what I had experienced. I was also a pre-medical student at the time, and so I was completing my prerequisites for medical school and eventually, in 2017, I applied. I applied to a total of four schools, and I did not get accepted into any. I was devastated.

I remember talking to my mother the evening that I found out from the final school that I had not been accepted. Although I would not be going to medical school the next year, I wanted to remain productive with my time. I started searching for one-year masters programs, and I discovered a Master of Nonprofit Administration program in San Francisco.

I applied to the program right before the application deadline, I was interviewed less than two weeks later, and I was accepted the following week with a scholarship. I was ecstatic about this new journey I would be taking, not knowing that the program would enhance and change the direction of Dare Humanity. I was able to apply what I learned in the program to Dare Humanity, and the organization began to evolve into what it is today.

In January of 2018, I remembered feeling the gravity of what I had experienced in Haiti the first time I went, and by the time I graduated with my degree, I had set in my mind to return to Haiti. In September of 2018, I returned to Haiti with the intent to learn about three communities I would be introduced to and gain knowledge about their needs and priorities.

Since that second trip to Haiti, Dare Humanity has been continuing to work with the communities: Sonyen, Souchato, and Deluge. Our primary initiatives in Haiti include school sponsorship for seven youth, and clean water and latrine initiatives.

We have been able to learn from the communities about their needs as well as organizations who have been working in Haiti for years. This has allowed us to examine, change our approaches and educate ourselves on how to better serve our communities. Of course, our learning phase has not ended, and it will most likely never end, as we continue to evolve and expand.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road. As an organization, we have been faced with challenges.

Personally, I have faced challenges as well. However, growth comes from challenges, and if it means that I am able to grow in the process, then I am willing. It takes a certain amount of courage and resilience to lead an organization or even be an entrepreneur.

It takes a certain kind of leader to lead people and continue on that path. Being a leader requires a lot from the person that decides to lead and for those who continue in the path, despite the trials and tribulations, I would say, are very noble. During our last trip to Haiti in February of this year, I faced challenges as an individual and as an organization.

In February, the country was in turmoil as its citizens were fighting for their voices to be heard and for change to be established in their country. People began protesting and setting up barricades on the main roads to demonstrate their disagreement with political issues in the area and the President. During our time there, we experienced the effects of this.

Although the area we work in, Montrouis, is far from the capital, where most of the demonstrations took place, some community members in the area were also demonstrating. At the end of our trip, we were stopped on our way to the airport by barricades and distressed citizens. That day, we were not able to make it to the airport, but the next day we were able to after waking up early to make our way to the airport. We were blessed to make it through the next day.

As a leader of an organization and outsider when it comes to working in Haiti, I face challenges associated with language and social barriers. I am fortunate to have two Haiti Liaisons who are able to communicate with our three communities on my behalf and continue the work of the organization while I am not present, but I often feel the need to do more and that I am being pulled in a variety of directions as I wear different hats each week.

I am often pulled in different directions each week which, if I had not worked every day to find a balance, would take a toll on me. It is because of my faith and passion that I am able to continue in my work.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dare Humanity – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Dare Humanity is a nonprofit organization that creates and delivers programs for self-sufficiency, wellness, community-driven development and entrepreneurship in Haiti and California. Dare Humanity serves three communities in Haiti working on three main initiatives: a school sponsorship program, clean drinking water, and latrine installations.

We believe what sets us apart is that we are a nonprofit startup and our organization’s mission is rooted in being of service to others. We are proud to be able to build something from the ground up and watch it evolve and expand.

Personally, I consider myself to be a servant leader in that I strive to continue to evolve, learn, and find ways to be of service to others. We look forward to sharing in the near future, how we have evolved and grown over the years.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our plan is to continue growing, learning and expanding. We believe big at our organization, so we can see beyond the level that we are at to our 50th anniversary where we will be serving more than three communities and seven youth.

We are looking forward to the various partnerships along the way that will allow us to get to that point and the generous hearts that will fuel the work of the organization.

Contact Info:

• Website: darehumanity.org
• Phone: 415-938-7758
• Email: info@darehumanity.org

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