Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 08:57.
$10,000 dollar paintings and dirt roads.
Some 10 years ago I was taken to an art gallery at the intersection of two dirt roads on the outskirts of Port au Prince. It was a small house converted into an artists studio. Within, I was introduced to Fravrange Valcin (nephew of the famous Gerard Valcin) and his collection of artwork that generally ranged in the $5000 to $7500 USD's and currently selling for close to $10,000 USD.
Stepping back outside for a moment, it struck me that within this modest house at the corner of two dirt roads was a perfect illustration of the dichotomy known as "Haiti".
What is lacking in this "scene" is not money (in the form of foreign aid) but infrastructure. The last administration to invest in this "foundation" was Papa Doc in the 1960's. You may know, that many Haitians who lived during his administration now long for the days of his infrastructure improvements.
If you're going to waste time with another "Hate America First" diatribe in order to gin-up donations, then your efforts are simply self-serving. Haitians do not need another group of American Elitists using Haiti as another vehicle in their march towards a "Better America".
Haitians want their "Rights to Water" but only through very specific and targeted water works projects will they get it. No congressional hearings, European meetings in Vienna, etc that will only serve the RFK Center and those "lucky enough" to attend these very pompous gatherings of nothingness.
Relieving debt, increasing foreign aid will only encourage the acquisition of more Valcin paintings and do NOTHING for Haitians Right to Water.
You want to help? Then push for the exclusion of the Haitian government in building these infrastructure projects and do not turn the money over to them. The Haitian government needs less involvement and not more.
By the way, Haitians do not need any more "engineers" flying in to assess the situation and staying at the El Rancho Hotel and awakening to a beautiful, paid (treat them to breakfast in the AM), Haitian women or longing at the Ibo LeLe poolside cabana all afternoon.
Haiti - Water
$10,000 dollar paintings and dirt roads.
Some 10 years ago I was taken to an art gallery at the intersection of two dirt roads on the outskirts of Port au Prince. It was a small house converted into an artists studio. Within, I was introduced to Fravrange Valcin (nephew of the famous Gerard Valcin) and his collection of artwork that generally ranged in the $5000 to $7500 USD's and currently selling for close to $10,000 USD.
Stepping back outside for a moment, it struck me that within this modest house at the corner of two dirt roads was a perfect illustration of the dichotomy known as "Haiti".
What is lacking in this "scene" is not money (in the form of foreign aid) but infrastructure. The last administration to invest in this "foundation" was Papa Doc in the 1960's. You may know, that many Haitians who lived during his administration now long for the days of his infrastructure improvements.
If you're going to waste time with another "Hate America First" diatribe in order to gin-up donations, then your efforts are simply self-serving. Haitians do not need another group of American Elitists using Haiti as another vehicle in their march towards a "Better America".
Haitians want their "Rights to Water" but only through very specific and targeted water works projects will they get it. No congressional hearings, European meetings in Vienna, etc that will only serve the RFK Center and those "lucky enough" to attend these very pompous gatherings of nothingness.
Relieving debt, increasing foreign aid will only encourage the acquisition of more Valcin paintings and do NOTHING for Haitians Right to Water.
You want to help? Then push for the exclusion of the Haitian government in building these infrastructure projects and do not turn the money over to them. The Haitian government needs less involvement and not more.
By the way, Haitians do not need any more "engineers" flying in to assess the situation and staying at the El Rancho Hotel and awakening to a beautiful, paid (treat them to breakfast in the AM), Haitian women or longing at the Ibo LeLe poolside cabana all afternoon.