Author Archives: fromourisland

Bois D’Avril: Classroom Observations Posted on December 13, 2014 Back in Haiti, everyone. Arrived in Bois D’Avril last night and spent the morning observing classes at the local school. If I’m going to be working in education here, I need to … Continue reading →

To mark World Environment Day, June 5, 2014, Oxfam officially launched a report entitled “Climate Change Resilience: The Case of Haiti” at the Hotel Montana in Pétionville. Report in English and French: http://policy-practice.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/rr-climate-change-resilience-haiti-260314-en.pdf

My friend wrote to tell me about this: So, I got a text message last night on my Haitian cell phone from “Gouvernman”: aka Government. Here’s what it said: “Gouvènman Martelly/Lamothe ap vanse TET DWAT sou chimen eleksyon nan ane … Continue reading →

Just amazing to hear about my son’s travels with friends in Nepal. My son sent me this URL by a friend, saying it is the short version. (I fear what he means by this…) Thank you Nick! These photos and … Continue reading →

Haitian government cabinet members hold a town hall meeting in the southern town of Jeremie By Joe Colas PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (HCNN) — An initiative to organize a series of town hall meetings in different regions of Haiti has created more … Continue reading →

By Sora Edwards-Thro The other day, Adam and I spoke with the teachers from Cazeau about how classes are going there. This is their sixth week with this group, which means they’re midway through the new lesson guide, and so … Continue reading →

A plan has been launched by the Dominican Government to recover and preserve Los Haitises National Park in the northeast of the country – a beautiful area  which is the island of Hispaniola’s only rainforest. To ensure the protection of the … Continue reading →

March 13, 2014  Reuters MIAMI : Lawyers filed a federal class action lawsuit against the United Nations on Tuesday to seek compensation for almost 1,500 Haitian victims of a cholera epidemic blamed on UN peacekeepers. Read more:  http://www.nation.com.pk/international/13-Mar-2014/un-slapped-with-another-lawsuit-over-haiti-cholera

Dressed in sterile white work clothes, and a hair net, Sergine Brice is proud of her job. “I never imagined I could, one day, make a tablet by myself,” she said. Unemployed for a year after losing her position in … Continue reading →

A U.S. program that seeks to save Haiti’s forests by shifting people away from charcoal stoves has largely failed to reach its goals. By: Trenton Daniel Associated Press, Published on Fri Mar 14 2014  PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI—A U.S. program that seeks … Continue reading →

I’m a fan of A Mighty Girl‘s site: http://www.amightygirl.com/ Here’s one reason why: Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta were graduate students at Columbia University’s School of Architecture in 2010 when a devastating earthquake struck Haiti. In one of their classes, … Continue reading →

A brief story from Haiti about water, kids and education. To my mind, time for play is critical. Watch here: http://www.upworthy.com/matt-damon-asked-a-cheery-13-year-old-what-shell-do-with-her-free-time-her-answer-gave-him-pause I believe that play, time for exploration and tinkering are educational ingredients. And what kind of play? Well watch … Continue reading →

A senior United Nations official has broken ranks with his organisation and called for “full compensation” for the victims of a cholera epidemic in Haiti. More than 600,000 people are thought to have been infected since 2010 Mr Gallon said … Continue reading →

Posted by Ray Boyle × 02/27/2014 at 5:06 pm The second floor Green Library display cases currently showcase 1,800 years of history on one of the Caribbean’s most misunderstood islands. “Haiti: An Island Luminous” also shows what one FIU student … Continue reading →

‘Fatal Assistance,’ About Relief Efforts in Haiti by Manohla Dargis Graves near Port-au-Prince after Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, from “Fatal Assistance,” a documentary by Raoul Peck. Credit Velvet Film   …Much has been written on the relief efforts and failures in … Continue reading →

Photographer Daniel Morel witnessed the worst after Haiti’s earthquake. But a judge has given him — and his devastated subjects — new hope. Daniel Morel shoots a photo of Maltide Derine as a crowd of her neighbours presses in to … Continue reading →

A man holds whole vanilla beans at a grocery market in San Francisco, California February 7, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Robert Galbraith (Reuters) …. The Vanilla Project, which provides income for some 650 farmers in rural Haiti, on February 1 earned its … Continue reading →

Take a look at what’s happening at HCX & mark your calendars for some exciting events coming up in your neighborhood! February 20: Haiti Optimiste – A Benefit Evening Celebrating New Cinema from Haiti February 28: 4th Annual Haiti Cherie … Continue reading →

French version: ….. Daniel Dorsinvil, membre fondateur du Groupe alternatif de justice (GAJ) et coordonnateur général de la Plate-forme des organisations haïtiennes des droits humains (POHDH), et son épouse Girldy Larèche ont été abattus par balle samedi 8 février 2014 … Continue reading →

From the New York Times by Dean Nelson …. “I discovered the falls while on a reporting trip to chronicle volunteer efforts among Haitians who are organizing their own community service groups. It brought me to this remote pocket of … Continue reading →

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti is launching a program to register its migrants who live without documentation abroad, including in the Dominican Republic, where thousands of people of Haitian origin are in danger of being left stateless by a court … Continue reading →

The children of Haiti are so loveable. Whether in schools, on the streets or in orphanages, there is the desire to make their lives easier and healthier, to help them grow into proud Haitians. Several volunteers have offered to share … Continue reading →

The Académie française elects Canadian/Haitian to occupy fauteuil number two (F2) Posted by Editor on Sunday, February 2, 2014 By Roy Lie. On 12 December 2013, Dany Laferrière, a sharp-witted novelist, has become the first Quebecer and the first Haitian … Continue reading →

…. “This program is an opportunity to establish a participatory process that includes non-governmental organizations, representatives of civil society and local authorities,” declared Damien Berrendorf, the Director of Oxfam Haiti “Especially, that the training will enable local officials and communities … Continue reading →

Early this morning we (Unleash Kids!) left Port-au-Prince for a 2 or 3 hour ride to St. Andre’s School in Hinche. Once here, we had some lunch and got to work checking out XO laptops and determining what kind of … Continue reading →

This is the report from Unleash Kids! on their sixth day of volunteer work with schools in Haiti. This day’s activities take place at the Ferrier School located in the mountains above Port-au-Prince. Today we piled into a car with … Continue reading →

Sixth Day, Ferrier School Unleash Kids! By curt January 24, 2014 Up the mountainside today to a school that somehow remains distinctly rural despite being just a few miles from Port-au-Prince.  We helped test a charge controller brought in from the … Continue reading →

By Daniel Dieujuste PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (HCNN) — Haitian health authorities have reported a significant decrease in cases of cholera in Haiti in early 2014, compared to the number of cases reported during the same period last year, as … Continue reading →

By Joe Colas PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (HCNN) — Haiti’s prime minister called on Parliament on Monday to complete the voting process of a tough anti-corruption legislation that provides more extended prison time for wrongdoers and other sanctions in a Caribbean country … Continue reading →

Unleash Kids! by Curt Thompson We were really happy to see the progress the kids had made in just a few days, thanks in no small part to the amazing teachers who will continue this class two days a week … Continue reading →

Hangout from Haiti! Unleash Kids! Tomorrow we’ll be doing another live hangout, this time live from the deployment at Cazeau Christian Elementary School.  The hangout will start at 3PM New York Time.  If it’s not too disruptive, we’re hoping to … Continue reading →

by Curt Thompson Third Day in Haiti With Unleash Kids! January 21, 2014 Another great day with the kids at Cazeau Christian Elementary School.  The last of our group arrived today bringing with him a server that will hopefully be … Continue reading →

After my September visit with Unleash Kids! in Grand Goave, Haiti, I can’t help but want to keep up with the progress they are making there. Each week I check in via their website to see the photos and read … Continue reading →

TRENTON DANIEL | Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A country club golf course that became a refuge for tens of thousands of people left homeless in Haiti’s capital by a 2010 earthquake is clearing out the remaining residents by this … Continue reading →

This is not work. This is the fun part! Sending thanks to everyone who contributed time, money and heart to this cause. Sharing with you this recent joyful event. Published on Jan 19, 2014 Once again, smiles and joy are … Continue reading →

  The government is promoting the cultivation of a tree rich in vitamins, minerals and calcium to tackle food insecurity …The poorest country in the western hemisphere, 75% of Haiti’s population lives on less than $2 a day, half on … Continue reading →

UNITED NATIONS (CMC):The United Nations has announced the allocation of US$6 million for emergency aid operations for the “neglected crisis” in Haiti. …. “People living through some of the most critical humanitarian crises do not always receive the attention that … Continue reading →

In my quest to provide a dedicated space to the study of Haitian Creole, I encounter many critics who so easily dismiss the validity of the language. * “Why would someone want to learn Haitian Creole?” they ask. “Can you … Continue reading →

Port-au-Prince, HAITI, 12 December 2013 – Despite the fact that it is illegal, abortion is common in Haiti. A pharmacy on Monsignor Guilloux Street in downtown Port-au-Prince. Photo: HGW/ Marc Schindler St-Val * Since last May, when he topic of … Continue reading →

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti — A thorough and impartial investigation must be immediately initiated into the causes of a January 11 fire that tore through the displacement camp known as “Comité du peuple progressiste” in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, Amnesty … Continue reading →

by Trevor Williams On Jan. 12, Haiti marked four years since the earthquake that devastated the country. This week and next, Global Atlanta is taking a look at how Atlanta-based organizations are continuing their often-challenging work in the country. At … Continue reading →

Among the places that Unleash Kids! will be visiting this month is one of the  schools operated by Hope for Haiti’s Children. The plan is to establish a computer club using the now famous green and white laptops. We are … Continue reading →

Came across this video today… about preparations for a trip to Haiti:

By Curt Thompson We found a few things we thought the kids might like Tomorrow night, Chiharu (blog here (Japanese)) and I will head for Haiti to meet up with a few other Unleashers carrying a couple cameras, a few … Continue reading →

Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere, is a place that understands the power of story. In a country marked by food shortages, irregular or nonexistent electricity, almost no medical care, and no money for schools or school … Continue reading →

Moso pa moso, zwazo fe nich li.  Piece by piece, the bird makes its nest. I have a few traditional proverbs I whip out whenever I want to sound authentically Haitian, and this is one I’ve been using a lot … Continue reading →

Written by Rick Cohen   Created on Thursday, 16 January 2014 January 15, 2015; Global Post In the wake of major government leaders gathering with the UN General Secretary at an international conference in Kuwait pledging to raise $6.5 billion … Continue reading →

“The elections will take place this year and my government will provide the means to support the work of the electoral council, ” said Lamothe. “This will allow us to move forward on the path of democracy which this government … Continue reading →

The Associated Press | Associated Press SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic says Haiti has lifted a ban on imports of Dominican poultry and eggs – an issue that set off tensions between the neighboring nations when it … Continue reading →

PORT-AU-PRINCE ….“We have seen the government and people of Haiti persevere, work through issues, find opportunities and secure results,” said Insulza. “Today, although much remains to be done, Haiti can demonstrate concrete results and the journey is inspiring.” * ….“The … Continue reading →

The Haitian Truth website http://haitian-truth.org  has a posting about Haiti Dreams, http://haitidreams.org . Clarifications to some of the assumptions they made are in order.  1) The note says we are based in California but this is not so.  2) We … Continue reading →

After months of fund-raising, pestering some very patient people with lots of technical questions, and of course praying, I am proud to announce that Project Rive is finally receiving full power. With the 135 watt solar panel we can collect … Continue reading →

Now that winter break is over and computers are getting charged faster, it’s time to add a new group of students to the course. Here are some shots of what happens the first day you put a laptop into someone’s … Continue reading →

This event will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2014, 7:00-9:00pm, at the Dweck Center, Brooklyn Public Library (Main Branch), located at 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, New York. Co-presented by HCX and MoCADA, join Akashic Books and the Brooklyn Public … Continue reading →

Il y a quatre ans…. http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Montreal/ID/2429811872/

by MARK SCHULLER …Aside from the construction of stands around Champs-de-Mars, noticeably absent the National Palace, from which pastors proclaim the gospel over loudspeakers, there is little sign of tomorrow’s significance. Unlike the first anniversary – indeed, first six months, … Continue reading →

I finally arrived at the place where it all began – Ansapit, the village where I set up my first project with the laptops. Here’s how I got there: 1. Wake up at 4:55 and apologize profusely to your host, … Continue reading →

*Augustinus van der Krogt, Ph.D., is a consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank’s Education Program in Haiti. In 2013, I was hired to collaborate with the Haitian Ministry of Education on its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategy and implementation plan. Its … Continue reading →