The Jean-Pierre Tchang Award was created in 2009 to recognize one of our volunteers each year for his or her outstanding involvement with IRIS Mundial. For the year 2025, the award was presented to a remarkable person for her invaluable contribution to IRIS Mundial projects, her extraordinary dedication, her determination and her kindness. An exceptional, visionary and committed woman, she takes the well-being of her community to heart and makes IRIS Mundial’s mission shine beyond its borders. She is Mrs. Elvie Maxineau. A long-time volunteer and friend of IRIS Mundial, outstanding partner, Elvie is the coordinator of the Centre de développement intégré – Village de l’espoir (CEDI-VE) in Limbé, Haiti. She has taken part in several IRIS Mundial training missions, as well as two one-time projects in Miragôane, Haiti in 2016 and Cañete, Peru in 2017.
We were fortunate to have Elvie with us at our annual volunteer meeting on June 14, and the award was presented to her in person. Our dear Elvie received many touching testimonials from people who have had the great honour of working with her on several occasions. Dr. Jean-Pierre Tchang, founder of IRIS Mundial, thanks to whom Elvie has become part of our extended family, recalled in a short message the moment he met Elvie in 2009, in Labrousse. When she heard that an IRIS Mundial team was coming, she offered to stay and help out: “she quickly made a name for herself as an exceptional person with whom it is extremely pleasant to collaborate”. This was the start of a long and fruitful collaboration with IRIS Mundial. A tribute was also paid to Elvie by Dr Francine Lavallée, who has worked with her on many occasions, including several training missions in visual care. She recounted the story of her collaboration with IRIS Mundial and praised her many qualities: “Elvie has a global vision of how to help more people, for longer. She encourages young people to get involved, to believe in themselves and their future. Elvie the unifier, you’re one of a kind!”. Next up was Catherine Rioux, former General Manager of IRIS Mundial and Program Manager in Haiti for IRIS Mundial. Catherine knew Elvie long before IRIS Mundial. As part of a master’s internship, she had the chance to live for several months with CEDI-VE and witness the exceptional work being done there. She then worked with Elvie for several years while she was employed at IRIS Mundial. Catherine conveyed her immense respect and deep affection for this woman who spares no effort for the good of her community. Finally, Dr. Annie Moreau, an ophthalmologist who took part in several missions, including a training mission in Limbé in 2016, was able to pass on a small testimonial having learned that Elvie was about to receive the award: “You’re an inspiration to us all, and I’m one of the lucky ones who got to rub shoulders with you during our missions. With you, the teaching went both ways. I showed you a few things, but you taught us patience, kindness and a passion for caring for your people. Congratulations! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
