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Jean is a software developer from Haiti, currently based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He is a technical blogger, full stack web developer, CoFounder of Haiti Blockchain Alliance-Haiti’s first blockchain community-and a Partner at Syntax Studio, a digital product agency that specializes in design and development of web and mobile apps.
“Since I was a child I never saw big changes in my country: corruption, domination, poverty, instability! I grew up in a country where everyone has to be a super man (woman) to change their lives and grow. The system was built to block you if you don’t come from a higher class.”
JSB: My name is Jean Sauvenel Beaudry, I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 2015. I started my career as a full stack web and mobile developer for some local and international companies until 2019 when I decided to leave my motherland to immigrate to the neighboring country, the Dominican Republic. It was a very difficult decision but at the time it was one of the best options for me and my career. There I started to work completely remotely.
The Blockchain Journey
JSB: The first time I heard about blockchain was in 2011 during my first month in University and from that day I started talking to my classmates about this awesome technology, but at that time, I was just reading without developing or investing. It was in 2017 that I really started to learn Solidity and really understand blockchain technology, it was so awesome! I kept thinking about these things until 2019 where I created my first smart contract and in 2020 I participated in a contest based on Art, Culture and Technology. Since then I have continued to learn, build, test and think about problems and try to see how blockchain can help. Even though I felt a bit alone in the desert, I continued to share my knowledge on social networks. Today, I feel that all my efforts have not been in vain because at the beginning of January, Marc Alain Boucicault, the Founder of the largest and most active co-working space, contacted me to ask if I was interested in leading the first blockchain community in Haiti-Haiti Blockchain Alliance-sponsored by Stellar. For me this is only the beginning of a great adventure. Even though I don’t live in Haiti, me and my team will put all our energy and create a great community around blockchain in Haiti.
Passionate About Blockchain
JSB: Since I was a child I never saw big changes in my country: corruption, domination, poverty, instability! I grew up in a country where everyone has to be a super man (woman) to change their lives and grow. The system was built to block you if you don’t come from a higher class. For the first time in my life, I see a way out for young people. Blockchain is for me the only way to break the financial system and allow people to have an alternative, the only way to fight corruption in government, the only way to shut down NGOs and get off the list of beggar countries. The only way to bring real democracy to my country. For me, blockchain is not just a technology but the key to rebuilding my country and getting back into the world of competition.
On Being a Full Stack Developer
JSB: In December 2020, two friends and I decided to start this agency with specific objectives like bringing new light to the software development industry in Haiti by using the best methods and technologies to allow our clients to build a solid startup and get to market quickly, test solutions, get feedback and iterate. Today, we continue to help people turn their ideas into businesses. I work as a full-stack developer and responsible for mobile projects and their maintenance.
Building a DApp for Transacting with a Digital Gourde
JSB: Last year we had to develop a decentralized application on the Solana network in order to facilitate the sending of funds from the diaspora in Haiti but we had difficulty finding partnerships for fund withdrawals in fiduciary currency which is the dollar. We quickly understood that with a decentralized Gourde it would be easier to launch this project, which is so important for the Haitian community. So we decided to build the foundations by issuing a private digital Gourde with dollars as a reserve to allow Haitians to use their current Gourdes to transact on the blockchain without needing a bank account. At the moment, we are testing it on the Polygon blockchain testnet and in discussion with a bank to have the funds necessary to launch and issue the first Gourdes on the mainnet.
Blockchain in the Caribbean
JSB: In the region there are many use cases ranging from digital money to metaverse. Many countries are planning to use blockchain technology to boost their economy, especially in Haiti. There is AgriLedger which uses blockchain in the mango export supply chain to bring more value to farmers. The Bahamas launched SandDollar last year, a CBDC issued by the Central Bank of the Bahamas, which can be used for transactions on mobile phones. Many people in the private or public sector are exploring the possibilities of using blockchain to develop their country’s economy.
The Art of Blogging
JSB: Since I was in school, I always liked to share with people, which is why my house was often full of students after school hours. I continued at university by creating a programming club to share and challenge each other. Today, as a professional, I think the best way is to blog to help people quickly understand what can take me weeks to learn. The best way to be an expert at something is to share it with others so you can know if you really understand what you’re doing.
Blockchain in 2022
JSB: I think this year we will see more adoption and more concrete projects in sectors like health, governance, identity and private data management. DEFI 2.0 will bring more robust, secure and better user experiences. DAO projects will continue their dissemination in the ecosystem and a lot of news will come from governments around the world that are beginning to explore blockchain solutions.