Living the Dream

Informing the world one story at a time. For Wadner Pierre, life is about getting his message to the public through independent and photo journalism. He is all about the truth and breaking people’s perceived image of his country, Haiti among other topics. Wadner was inspired to start his journalistic career, shortly after the Coup D'état in February of 2004, where he was involved and witnessed the many struggles Haiti and it’s people were facing. The Coup D'état, was the removal and overthrow of the popular government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide by Canadian, French, and U.S. policy. The consequences of the overthrow of the elected government caused many struggles and trauma to Haiti and they have endured it even to this day. The United Nations is still the major force and predominant power in Haiti.

"I live for the moment and try to take everything in at every situation." The passion and motivation come from the heart for Wadner Pierre, an independent journalist and an all-around inspiring person. Interesting is an understatement to describe Wadner. He is good-hearted, true and dedicated. It is clearly present in his daily life and all the work he does.

"A picture says a thousand words and it depicts feelings and emotions of the people. The only way you can get more real is to personally be there. It is the best way to perceive actuality," feels Wadner. He experienced and saw the problems his people were living and wanted to do something about it. He used photography along with his writing as a powerful way to show the reality of what was going on.

Born in 1983 in the city of Gonaives in the Artibonite province of Haiti. Wadner has eight half brothers and sisters. He is currently visiting California from his home in Port-au-Prince, where he writes for the Inter Press Service and other independent news outlets. He is a co-founder and contributor to HaitiAnalysis.com, a media collective of young journalists from Haiti, the United States and abroad. In 2007, he won an award from Project Censored for his outstanding coverage of the largely overlooked conflicts currently taking place in Haiti. Many of Wadner’s photos are used in magazines throughout the world, such as Human Rights Network Magazine. During his time here in Sonoma county, he has had articles in the Bay View Newspaper, Press Democrat, and different Sonoma State University mediums. Although, Wadner has not been in the journalist field for long, he has received more awards and accomplishments than some do in a lifetime.

"I do it because I love it and want to spread truth and awareness." He doesn’t do it for the money, far from it actually. Wadner started out his career working for his own enjoyment and contribution to society. Even to this day, the money he makes still barely covers his costs. It is about the strong love and belief in his cause that guides him to his work. The feeling he gets and the fact that he is doing his part to help the world is his form of payment.

"I thank God everyday to live the life I have. It is more than I could have ever imagined and no amount of money could compare," said Wadner about his lifestyle. He is thankful everyday for the blessings to be able to live his dream and have these opportunities. Just seeing the joy and excitement in Wadner’s face when he talks about his job and life truly show how happy and grateful he is.

"Getting to the truth is my main focus," said Wadner about his work of independent journalism and photography. "By being an independent journalist and not working for a news media corporation, gives me the freedom of choice". Wadner is very proud and connected to his home country of Haiti, so most of his work deals with and is based around it. He really wants to show the world the truth about Haiti and prove it is more than just the image that most people have. Wadner writes about many different topics from human rights, news, politics, international relations, economy, law, civil society, culture, environment, health, and mass media. He works a lot with human rights issues and the grass roots project. All of Wadner’s articles are honest and true. He feels to get the truth, you have to go to the source or the "roots". Wadner doesn’t just speak for himself and only give his own personal opinion, he goes to the people and gives their story. He lives with them and listens to them, because that is the only real way to find out about their lives and message. From that he gains inspiration and realism to truthfully write his story.
"Besides being inspired by my country and my people, I am also very influenced by Ghandi and his non-violence movement."

"I want to see things happen, people to take action." The greatest challenge of his work isn’t the writing or creating of the story, but rather actually seeing the change happen and giving new perspectives. Wadner wants to see that his work has influenced cultures and societies to change for the better. Awareness and change are his goals that he seeks out daily. Through independent journalism he hopes to achieve them.

He believes that there are many benefits to working independently. He has much more freedom to write what he feels has importance and doesn’t have as many restrictions or guidelines as a common news company would have. He can give his own personal insight and express feelings and emotion. Whereas, mainstream news corporations perceive and experience things differently. They will show viewers what is beneficial to them, meaning what will profit the most versus independent journalists that show the truth and reality of an event. He has actually met several former corporate news writers, that are now working independently. They were tired of being restricted to show one part of a story and having so much censorship over them. Major corporate media firms are about money and as we know money talks. So, they are biased to show what will be profitable in the long run.

"To be a good independent journalist, you must not do it for the money, but because you are honest and you care." You want to help change the world by giving true perspective and awareness. Wadner is very proud that he can tell the world what they want to hear through his work. He stands by his writing, but doesn’t believe in brainwashing in any way. People can perceive it the way they want. Intelligibility is an important part of journalist writing according to Wadner. It is the ability to be understood and to understand. Which I think really does have significant meaning. If you are passionate about spreading your word and cause then the writing will come easy. Like Wadner, you may even meet interesting people, make new friends and also experience some life changing journeys along the way. Since, he’s began his career as a independent journalist only two years ago, he has already experienced a world full of adventure. He has traveled to many different places, meet many interesting people, and made many lasting memories. He is very happy and excited with where his life is leading him. He is so appreciative to be able to travel and continue his true passion. Wadner is motivated for the future and all the journeys he will experience.

"I like to take one day at a time and believe things will workout the way God intends them to." Wadner is very dedicated to his family, friends, and pursuing his dreams. He is focused on all of those important aspects of his life. Belief in himself and god have helped guide him to where he is today. It is hard for the citizens of Haiti to break free from their routine and live outside the normal lifestyle. Wadner has proven to do more than just separate himself from the rest, but create a successful and fulfilling life.