Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier’s surprise return to Haiti last Sunday has caused a stir in the country and the international community. Succeeding his father François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, Jean-Claude Duvalier served as Haiti’s dictator until he was driven away in a popular uprising 25 years ago. Since then Duvalier has remained in exile in France, and now his sudden reappearance in Haiti has left the world guessing. Is he back to recover looted money? To sway Haitian politics? And if so, in whose favor? Duvalier has revealed precious little about his rationale, but still insists, “I came to help my country.”
Human rights groups are calling for Duvalier’s immediate arrest, based on his regime’s torture and execution of dissidents, and his 25-year evasion of the Haitian justice system.
A few weeks ago, in response to the Haitian cholera epidemic, the VHP sent out a call for help to Dan Katz, MD requesting emergency medical supplies to send to Haiti. Katz responded immediately, arranging for a donation of 100 IV kits for rehydration and 600 doses of Cipro, an antibiotic that diminishes the effects of cholera, from Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. The VHP packed these supplies in a red suitcase, which our friend and emissary Barry Pell carried over to Haiti. We’re pleased to report that the red suitcase has reached its destination, and was received by our partners Pere Noe and Pere Quatorze (pictured above).
The following is a letter that Barry Pell wrote to the VHP, reflecting on his experience in Haiti.
The VHP spent the second saturday of the month (December 11th) in Beacon, NY participating in Beacon’s Second Saturday event for the very first time. We displayed and sold paintings, handicrafts, and newly minted Roots for Haiti reforestation gift certificates. With the outstanding work of our volunteers and the generous support of our customers, the VHP raised $5000 from the sale! All proceeds will go to the VHP’s reforestation initiative in Chermaitre.
Wondering when and where you can catch the VHP next? This weekend, at Beacon’s monthly Second Saturday event! The VHP will be exhibiting and selling Haitian art and handicrafts to raise money for Haiti’s current cholera epidemic.
This is an excellent opportunity to purchase a painting as a gift for a loved one (or a keychain for your Secret Santa). Come see the great art the VHP has to offer!
Beacon Second Saturday
December 11
10am-9pm
VHP location: Beacon Building
427 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
To the runners, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters of the VHP Reforestation Run: thank you!
With your help this weekend the VHP raised over $1,700 to plant trees in Haiti, a country that’s 98% deforested.
About 50 runners (and walkers!) participated, each contributing at least $10 worth of sponsorship money to the cause. The 5K course around Vassar’s lovely campus could be completed individually or in teams of three. Prizes were distributed to the fastest individual runner, and both the individual runner and team that raised the most money.
The VHP would also like to extend a special thank-you to Vassar’s African Students Union (ASU), Caribbean Students Alliance (CSA), and Poder Latino– three great organizations that collaborated with us on an open mic the Friday night before the run. They generously donated all the proceeds of the event to the VHP’s reforestation efforts.
The Reforestation Run weekend ran so smoothly, it could well become an annual VHP event!
The Vassar Haiti Project is sponsoring a run to help raise money to plant trees in Haiti!
Haiti is nearly 98% deforested, making the soil unsuitable for agriculture, and leading to dangerous and destructive landslides. Reforestation is an essential step in building self-sufficiency and sustainable development in Haiti.
Our event consists of a 5k relay race to be completed in 3 one-mile sections on Vassar Campus, beginning and ending in front of Jewett House. Participants will be expected to raise at least $10 in donations individually or $30 for teams of 3. We’re encouraging students to get as many sponsors as possible.
Money raised by the run will go directly to fund efforts to reforest the hills surrounding the village of Chermaitre in northwest Haiti. Every $5 raised will pay for the purchase and planting of one tree.
Haitian presidential candidates Josette Bijou, Gerard Blot, Garaudy Laguerre, and Wilson Jeudy have issued a formal request to delay national elections, scheduled for November 28th. Citing Haiti’s recent cholera epidemic, the candidates asserted that the country’s dire health needs should be attended to before the distraction of national elections. According to authorities, the elections will nonetheless continue as planned.
Create dangerously, for people who read dangerously. This is what I’ve always thought it meant to be a writer.
-Edwidge Danticat, Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work
Looking for a great weekend read? Grab your library card and go check out Create Dangerously, Edwidge Danticat’s freshly-released book of compelling, thoughtful essays on Haiti. Danticat is a Haitian-born writer and journalist who immigrated to the U.S. at the age of twelve. Now she lives in Miami, frequently returning to Haiti on assignment. In Create Dangerously, Danticat reflects on the bravery of writers, artists, and even a radio commenter who have taken risks to convey political meaning, and the bravery of readers, viewers, and audiences who have listened.
Learn more in this excellent interview of Danticat discussing her book, from American Public Media’s Marketplace.
Haiti’s presidential elections are scheduled for November 28th, and the current front runner is former First Lady Mirlande Manigat. With the intent to speed up earthquake recovery efforts, rehouse displaced Haitians, and ensure universal education, Manigat might be just the charismatic woman for the job.
Read more about Manigat and the Haiti’s upcoming elections from TIME, RDNP (Haiti’s Progressive National Democrats) and the Miami Herald.
