Marc Sonley Fertil, through his works, including the cardboard miniature of Tesla's Cybertruck, reflects the creativity of artisans in Haiti, who resist, stay motivated, and inspire despite challenges in guidance, training, and insecurity threatening their livelihoods.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — For 24-year-old Marc Sonley Fertil, creativity knows no limits. His latest achievement—a miniature Tesla Cybertruck made entirely from cardboard—took four months to complete. For Fertil, this handcrafted replica is more than just a personal challenge—it’s proof that, with determination, anything is possible.
“This time, I wanted to challenge myself with something more complex, something that would push my learning and test my abilities,” Fertil, a Haitian cardboard artisan, told _The Haitian Times_.”
In a small workshop cluttered with scraps of cardboard and discarded electronics, Fertil carefully assembled the final pieces of his latest creation. The project, a labor of love is more than just a display of skill; it’s a testament to ingenuity in the face of adversity. His creation not only showcases his remarkable creativity but also offers a unique reinterpretation of billionaire Elon Musk’s futuristic vehicle.
Fertil’s creation comes at a time when the controversial Tesla company has faced the ire of millions across the globe, with people picketing Tesla dealerships and setting some cars ablaze. In Europe, where early Tesla models were well-received for their ability to emit less carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, people are ditching their Teslas, sending the stock spiraling. Much of the backlash stems from CEO Elon Musk’s labor disputes, controversial political statements, the dealings of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and growing concerns over Tesla’s vehicle safety issues.
> “This time, I decided to challenge myself by creating something more interesting and complex, where I could learn from the experience and truly measure my natural intelligence.”
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> Marc Sonley Fertil, a Haitian cardboard artisan
Like many artisans, Fertil faces an uphill battle. The lack of infrastructure for young innovators in Haiti remains a major obstacle. Unlike countries with structured incubators and accelerators that support startups, Haiti’s creative and tech sectors lack a robust support system. While organizations such as BANJ, IDB Lab, and the Hub of Quisqueya University provide some support, they primarily cater to digital and tech entrepreneurs rather than artisans or those in the manufacturing sector. As a result, many young innovators, particularly artisans like Fertil, struggle to secure funding, access training programs, and find opportunities for visibility.
Marc Alain Boucicault, owner of BANJ, told _The Haitian Times_ that young Haitian entrepreneurs struggle due to the lack of a proper innovation ecosystem. According to MIT, such an ecosystem requires five key players: universities for education, private sector support, government policies, financial institutions, and incubators that bring entrepreneurs together. Boucicault adds that NGOs and the diaspora—who take the biggest risks—should also play a role in guiding young innovators.
Though the digital sector presents economic opportunities, Boucicault argues Haiti lacks the infrastructure to support innovation. “Haiti lacks basic infrastructure to allow individuals to fully benefit from the technology sector,” he said. “There are four major issues to address in Haiti, even without the government’s intervention, for digital innovation to gain momentum: access to electricity, internet, fintechs that provide income for workers and entrepreneurs, and the improvement of the physical value chain, especially product delivery.”
“This replica has the same design as the Cybertruck, but with my own version—orange and black, a combination Tesla hasn’t introduced yet. I wanted to show what Haitians could accomplish if we had more resources,” Fertil said.
> “One day, people will understand why I kept going,” he said. “Today, some family members regret not paying attention to my work earlier. But I never created for recognition—I create because I love it.”
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> Marc Sonley Fertil, a Haitian cardboard artisan
Living in Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, Fertil has never let his environment define him. Self-taught, he never attended a formal school for craftsmanship or design, but his hands and mind have long been his best tools.. From childhood, he built miniature houses, modified headphones, and even created backpacks using recycled materials.
“It took me over four months to complete the Cybertruck the way I envisioned it,” he said. “Finding the right parts was difficult, and money was scarce. At times, I went hungry because I spent my last few gourdes on materials. But I had to push forward—no regrets.”
Fertil grew up in “La Tendrie,” a locality in Port-de-Paix, before moving to Port-au-Prince with his mother after his parents separated. The third of five children on his mother’s side and the eldest of two on his father’s, Fertil was always drawn to understanding how things worked. As a child, he would dismantle his electric toys to study their mechanisms, an act that often frustrated his family, who saw his projects as mere clutter.
“Every time I took apart a device, I learned something new,” he said. “But my family didn’t always understand. They threw away my materials, thinking they were trash. Still, I would retrieve them and keep building.”
That early fascination led to remarkable creations, including his intricate cardboard Tesla-inspired Cybertruck. The project required exceptional resourcefulness—he repurposed Bristol paper, suitcase wheels, USB cables, flashlights, motors from DVDs, radio buttons, and discarded milk cartons to bring his vision to life.
For Fertil, crafting is more than an artistic outlet; it’s a means of escape from the harsh realities of his surroundings. Sometimes, he said he lost his motivation because I am creating a piece without expecting to gain anything from it.
A multi-room apartment made of cardboard, built according to seismic and standard regulations, one of the works of artist Marc Sonley Fertil. Photo credit: Marc Fertil.
“It’s my way of creating something out of nothing,” he said. “Even when insecurity that reigns in the country prevents me from showcasing my work, I keep building.”
Despite finishing high school, Fertil has been unable to afford university. Instead, he has taken training courses in screen printing, tiling, and electrical work—though financial struggles have prevented him from completing them. Currently, he is studying Windows technology while assisting his mother with her small business and continuing his projects.
He made several attempts to secure a Taiwanese scholarship to study robotics and technology but was never selected. Now, at 24, he has aged out of eligibility.
“Taiwan and China are two places where I would love to study technology,” he said. “Getting that opportunity would change my life completely.”
Lawyer Bengady Ficien, impressed by Fertil’s work, believes his story should serve as a wake-up call for Haiti to invest in its youth.
“Marc’s determination proves that motivation is the most important tool for success,” Ficien said. “The government should support young talents like him. Encouraging their creativity could benefit the entire country.”
For now, Fertil continues to dream and build, hoping that one day his persistence will pay off.
“One day, people will understand why I kept going,” he said. “Today, some family members regret not paying attention to my work earlier. But I never created for recognition—I create because I love it.”