Rene is one of our better known animators because he helps with installing cisterns, building houses, and very long walks. If you have done one of those things, chances are you have met him. I have spent lots of time with Rene and gotten to know him and yet somehow feel that there’s lots more to learn. That makes this difficult to write because I want to do him justice.

Rene believes in CODEP. His brother was the original member of his family to join CODEP but when his brother decided not to work anymore, Rene took his place. At that time he was working volunteer only. When Pastor Dures saw that he was always working hard, encouraging others, and showing up early he became the head of a group and eventually an inspector. In 1998, after three years in CODEP, Rene became an animator free to encourage and lead as best as he could. And he has given his best.

Today, Rene is an animator for three groups in Sitronye which are the furthest from the road. He told me he looks at this area as his own area. Where he lives is his area but where he works is too and he wants to improve it. This includes trying new techniques to make hedgerows better and encouraging people to see that the land is becoming more fertile and therefore able to grow coffee.

When we arrive to work with a group, Rene very quickly jumps in to whatever work is going on, grabbing a tool and starting in. He expects everyone else to do the same. One day after following him deep in to Sitronye, I managed to slip into the water as we were crossing a river. When we arrived at the group, I took off my shoes and wrung out my socks thinking I would take a minute to rest. Rene informed me there would be none of that and gave me a shovel. He was right. At the same time, Rene is extrememly caring and watchful and whenever I’m feeling particularly tired after a long walk, he will sometimes just stop and sit down so we can rest. He’ll laugh when I complain that he’s killing me and he’ll tell me that if I’m afraid I’ll fall and he’ll throw a rock in the river so I have an extra stepping stone. If I need a push in the right direction or help, he’s there.

I just spent some time with the group from Building Goodness Foundation and Rene together working on building a house. Rene never fails to impress me during these times because he’s done enough houses that he’s always one step ahead of me and the team, asking for caulk or screwing down plywood just when it’s supposed to be done. This last time he also made himself a bench which involved using a circular saw which I’m certain he only uses when the building teams are here. Rene is always looking out for them, making sure everything is just right from a place to stay, eat, and bathe to searching out fruit if it’s in season.

The last building team had the honor of staying at Rene’s house but I think Rene felt it was an honor to have them at his house. He loves CODEP and building houses and he’s hospitable, making sure everything was just right and making benches for us to sit on during dinner.

Rene is the proud father of twin boys and one girl.