In March 2012, Dieudonné Antoine, a son of Muzac, during a trip to the area, was shocked and deeply touched by the plight of the community lacking many required basic services. Upon his return to US, he contacted some friends: Francky Louis, Sorel Jean Marie, Dominique Jean Marie, Appolinaire Michel, André Michel, Rachelle François, Canrobert Antoine and Josephine Boursiquot to explore the possibility of having an organization for Muzac, La Vallée de Jacmel where local community and the diaspora can work toward the common goal of improving life in Muzac. Later in April, an exploratory committee was put together. In May 2012, a board of directors was created, a bylaw was signed and CODEM was registered as a non-profit organization with the state of Connecticut.
In June 2013, a special meeting was held in Stamford CT and the board of directors was expanded to include Jean Robert Gabriel, Hervé Soliman, Gérard Gabriel, Mesmin Charles, and Marie Josée Payen. In August 2013, Jean Robert Gabriel was delegated to Muzac to meet with a group of dedicated people, including Vanite Laroche, Jacqueline Alexis, Filéus Joseph, Micheline Plomquet and Jean Baptiste Michel to express the desire of the diaspora to work with for the local community to tackle the challenges in this communal section. By the end of 2013, an exploratory committee was established in Muzac with the primary mission to recruit a volunteer from each locality or neighborhood in order to form an inclusive committee.
Early 2014, CODEM is formally represented by an inclusive committee known as CODEM-Haiti under the leadership of Jean Baptiste Michel, with the primary mission to execute all CODEM projects in Muzac.
In August 2014, IRS recognized COEM as a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
In August 2015, we held our first joint summit in Muzac between members of CODEM-US and CODEM-Haiti where a Memorandum of Understanding detailing our corporation was signed between the two branches of the organization. This included accounting practice, legal responsibility, ethical behavior and others.
Early 2016, CODEM-Haiti had its first election and Géteau Jean-Fils became president of CODEM-Haiti.
In July 2016, CODEM-Haiti is registered with “Department des Affaires Sociales” in Haiti.
Early 2019, CODEM established its first chapter in the state of Maryland and they have their first annual in June 2019.