Building Bridges to Haiti - Churches, Universities, Schools

By Bryan Schaaf on Sunday, December 18, 2005.

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Haiti undoubtedly has one of the most compelling histories of the Western Hemisphere. Haiti was the first free black republic, second only to the United States. Napoleon’s massive losses in Haiti, at that time worth more than all thirteen American colonies, contributed to the transfer of land from France to the United States known as the Louisiana Purchase. Haitian troops fought in the American Revolution. Though its problems are many and severe, Haiti's history enriches the western hemisphere.

Haiti's artistic culture is rich and resilient. Art and music are perhaps Haiti's only non-exhaustible resources. A combination of European, African, and American influences is apparent in both. Kompa, Twoubadou, and Racine are just a few of the music styles while surrealism, native, and classic are abundant on iron and on canvas.

Haiti has much to teach us. I ask myself how we can engage churches, universities, and high schools in Haiti's past, present, and its future. Some churches have programs with Haiti, many do not. Some universities have clubs with an interest in Haiti, but most do not. High schools with educational and cultural programs on Haiti are a rarity.

History, music, and art can help build these bridges by developing an understanding of a fascinating country that has survived extremely trying times. While even the smallest financial contributions are appreciated, there are other ways to be involved. Simply knowing what is happening in Haiti, developing an understanding of why, and and appreciation for what is good about Haiti can be invaluable. After all, there are very few other countries in the world that have been as unfairly stigmatized as Haiti. High schools, colleges, and churches can reinforce each other with education, outreach, coordination, and advocacy.

How then to engage these important institutions? It all begins with you, your interests, and your network. We hope that you will consider building bridges to Haiti and the organizations to which you are affiliated. Haiti Innovation is ready to help you make this happen.

se vre oui, this person is

Submitted by angie-ange (not verified) on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 15:47.

se vre oui, this person is totally right. As long as haitians together as a whole dont decide to build up the country, then there will be no advances in the country. I am a native born Haitian, and i will hold my head up high to say that untill i die. This type of patriotism, which i know many other Haitians share, needs to be turned into energy that produces brotherhood. Every other country in the world can give us money, the World Bank, United Nations, and every other organization can try to help. But, unless we, as Haitians, rise up just as we did over 200 years ago and gained our independace, the country will not get ANY BETTER.
Our country lies WITHIN OUR OWN HANDS
~I am a firm believer of that, and i know what we are cabable of~
!Haitians for Life!

My motherland Haiti

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 23:53.

Well, this article is a very interesting writing about haiti and it's also stated the fact that haiti is needed you and I to build haiti future.
I, myself sometime feel upset about the way my people are treating themseles and not only thatwe are don't like who we are. There are a lot off things that we need to change in us. First we need to stop being "egoyis" to our brothers and sisters, we need to have that concious of being heartless, hatetress,and stop abondoning ourself.We can do a lot of things only if we drops the selfishness that is in our heart and causes the jealousy,the dirty ambitious, hard heart.I would like for all my haitian nation take the time to think about being a nation not a "Canibals".kot sa pou'n pa ta ka fe la ,pou nou mete tet nou ansanm pou'n konswi peyi nou. nou pa bezwen se etwanje ki pou vin fe nou we nou pa bon. epi etwanje a pap janm di'w bale devan pot lakay ou sil we sal, o mwen lap prwan avantaj sou ou. Nou menm pep mwen nou kwe nan gwoup lom ki rele tet yo blan, men pwoblen nou. Se konnen nou pa kon vale nou, si nou te konen' n nou pap anba dlo jounen jodi a. Fo nou ka kwe nan tet nou pa nan etwanje a, pase ke plis etwanje we ou kwe nan li twop plis avantaj lap pwan. Li le li tan pou nou sispan goumen antwe nou. Se pa plas nou sa. Plas nou se Nou se pwemye pep nwa ki pwan indepandans ke jounen jodi a nou mete tet nou nan esklavay anko. li pa sans mwen di non, non.

Mesi
thank you