Caelyn Rolle
2025-2026
San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
A Seat at the Table: Development Starts Here
Caelyn Rolle (2025-2026: San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is working with partner organization Mercy Workshop to help women who have been sexually exploited. She is working in a communication and storytelling role to inspire healing and set a strong foundation for Mercy’s fundraising goals, while also equipping women with job skills, education and counseling.
Hi! My name is Caelyn, but everyone calls me Cae. What most people don’t know is that the identity of “Cae” didn’t fully come to life until I moved from The Bahamas to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue my education at Belmont University. I grew up on Nassau, the smallest island in The Bahamas, yet also its capital—an island only 21 by 7 miles. Life there was both intimate and challenging; everyone seemed to know each other, and yet not know each other at all. Growing up in this environment taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of community. Raised by my mother and grandmother in a house of ten—a reality not uncommon in island life—I learned early on the importance of sharing space, resources, and love. Moving to America at nineteen stretched me in ways I could never have imagined. In classrooms where few could relate to my story, I realized that my voice and perspective were not only different but necessary.
Like many young Bahamians, I left home in search of opportunities, but in doing so, I discovered that my journey carried meaning far beyond my ambitions. There were moments I felt out of place, even wishing for a different reality, but I knew other young Bahamians and young women were watching me—seeing in my journey a possibility for their own. With aspirations of becoming a diplomat and eventually serving as Prime Minister of The Bahamas, I aim to use my communication skills and leadership training to represent my country and bridge the gaps that still divide us.
I believe leadership is built in the quiet seasons, not just on public platforms. The work begins long before the spotlight—when no one knows your name—through service, learning, failing, and persevering. My Lumos project with Mercy Workshop in the Dominican Republic is a chance to live that belief. Mercy Workshop’s Christ-driven mission to equip women with job skills, education, and counseling resonates deeply with my passion for women’s empowerment. It is an opportunity to connect with women whose stories reflect both similarities and differences to my island upbringing, to celebrate their progress, and to stand alongside them as they continue breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings.
More about me....
Home Town: Nassau, Bahamas
Major(s): Global Leadership Studies & Communication Studies
Country Highlights
My Stories
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Playing catch up
Hey! It’s been a while. Returning to the DR after a sweet break in Nashville had me deep in my feels. This was
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Before returning to Nashville, my home away from home, I was able to spend some meaningful time with my roommate and friends and
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Living proof of His love
The past two weeks have been some of the most chaotic since I arrived here—but for all the right reasons. I have been
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Give thanks
I’ve officially reached the halfway point of my journey here in San Pedro, and I’m still in disbelief at how quickly time has
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Time flies when you’re having fun
I can’t believe I am just a week away from marking three months of living in San Pedro. So much has been happening
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Lessons learned
For today’s blog, I wanted to take a different route. A friend recently asked me what I’ve been learning since I arrived here,
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Trusting the Process
I’ve lost count of how many weeks have flown by—somehow, we’re already nearing the end of October. It feels surreal to realize I’m
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Taking it slow
The past two weeks in San Pedro have unfolded at a slower, more deliberate pace than usual. With most of my coworkers, including
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Love beyond barriers
I’m just a few days away from my one-month mark here, and life is moving fast. There’s so much gratitude in that—because each
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Mucho Gusto, San Pedro
I can’t believe two weeks have already flown by in San Pedro. Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin. When I first
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Cae Goes Global !
I remember packing my carry-on suitcase and stepping out on faith to attend Belmont University in Nashville. Four years later, I have graduated
