April 15, 2025 – A local Eagle Scout from the Decatur area is gaining national recognition for a life-changing service project that extended far beyond the Midwest — all the way to Haiti, where he was born.
Jamesly Jesse, a Haitian native who now lives in Moweaqua, Illinois, was recently honored for his extraordinary effort to give back to the Haitian community through a deeply personal and meaningful Eagle Scout Service Project. Jesse was adopted following an earthquake that left Jesse under a pile of rubble. For his Eagle Project Jesse collected donations from 175 personal contacts and groups, raising more than $35,000. This helped provide more than 100,00 meals – packed by 430 volunteers – which were shipped to Haiti.
“The purpose of my project was to provide meals for children, nursing mothers, and elderly in the community of Milot, Haiti, which cared for me in 2010 after the earthquake in Haiti,” Jesse said. “This will not solve the problems in Haiti but it will provide for a critical need.”
Jesse’s commitment to service has earned him national attention, including being one of 16 Scouts across America named a finalist for the Eagle Scout Project of the Year Award.
“Jamesly exemplifies everything an Eagle Scout should be — compassionate, driven, and dedicated to making a difference,” said Martez Moore, Deputy Scout Executive, Greater St. Louis Area Scouting. “His project is a powerful reminder that youth-led service can truly impact lives on a global scale.”
An Eagle Scout Service Project is a key requirement in the journey toward Scouting’s highest rank: Eagle Scout. It challenges Scouts to identify a need in their community (or beyond), develop a plan, lead a team, and complete the project through their own leadership and initiative. The goal is not just to complete a task, but to demonstrate planning, problem-solving, and the ability to rally others around a meaningful cause. Every Eagle Scout Service Project must be reviewed and approved by the Scout’s local council, ensuring it meets the standards of impact, leadership, and sustainability.
