Meet Jeanne-Marie Paynel: PLB’s Supporter Spotlight!

Every so often, PLB reaches out to some of their most loyal followers. We love to get to know the individuals who are actively involved in PLB’s mission of supporting orphaned and neglected children around the world. Today we chatted with Jeanne-Marie…

PLB: Hello Jeanne-Marie! Where do you call home?

JMP: San Diego, California and Paris, France.

PLB: How do you spend your time?

JMP: I spend my time mentoring families around the world and sharing my passion of Montessori education to anyone who wants to listen.

PLB: How long have you been involved with Project Left Behind?

JMP: Ever since I met the lovely Anna Maria.

PLB: What is the one thing you would have to take with you on an island to survive?

JMP: At first I thought my journal, but I think a knife might be better for survival.

PLB: One person who inspires you and why?

JMP: Maria Montessori, the first woman allowed to attend medical school in Italy, she was a genius before her time. She taught us so much about human development and the needs of the young child. “The child has other powers than ours, and the creation he achieves is no small one; it is everything.”

PLB: It’s no secret that PLB shares your passion for serving young children. Will you share with us a favorite or funny travel story?

JMP: Oh I have so man. Here is one that relates to PLB. I was 17 traveling with my mother on a diplomatic mission, while she worked I would get to tour some of the Peace Corps projects. That day I was taken to a boys’ orphanage in North Yemen. My afternoon was spend laughing with these young boys that had only one caregiver, an older guard. They would ask me to take my retainer out of my mouth over and over, they had never seen anything like it, so much laughter.

PLB: Children are children no matter where you are in the world. Jeanne-Marie, you support Project Left Behind because…

JMP: Children have a special place in my heart. All children deserve to be loved unconditionally and I know I will build and orphanage one day. I have had this dream since I was a child.

PLB: You give us warm fuzzies! If you could choose to have dinner with anyone (living or deceased) who would it be and why?

JMP: I would have to choose my mother Perdita Huston, she left us all too soon and I have so much I would like to share with her.

PLB: Share with us something we would never guess about you if we didn’t know you well.

JMP: I was born in Tunisia and speak fluent French.

Thank you Jeanne-Marie! We are lucky to know you and have your support. You have taught us much about the developing child and we hope to bring that knowledge to the orphanages PLB supports.