Partners in Health To Open New Reference Laboratory in Mirebalais

  • Posted on: 21 March 2016
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Three years ago, Partners in Health (Zanmi Lasante) and the Haitian Ministry of Health opened a major research, training, and practice hospital in Mirebalais.  As part of this complex, Zanmi Lasante is opening a new reference laboratory.  What this means for patients is a quicker diagnosis, better treatment, and more positive health outcomes.  Learn more about Partners in Health's work in Haiti here.  

Hesperian Releases Zika Prevention Guide in Kreyol

  • Posted on: 18 March 2016
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Hesperian has released a wide variety of free health guides including "Where There is No Doctor" or what Peace Corps volunteers with too much time on their hands to analyze their maladies call "Where There is a Hypochondriac."  Their latest guide on understanding and preventing Zika is available in English, Portugese, French, and Haitian Kreyol.  The guide is will be updated on a regular basis.  More information about Hesperian and ways to support them below.  

Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves Partners with Haitian Chef Ron Duprat

  • Posted on: 4 March 2016
  • By: Bryan Schaaf
The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is a public-private partnership hosted by the UN Foundation to save lives, improve livelihoods, empower women, and protect the environment by creating a global market for clean and efficient household cooking solutions.  The Global Alliance recently announced that Haitian Chef Ron Duprat is joining the Chef Corps - culinary advocates from around the world who raise awareness about alternatives to cooking with open fires and traditional cookstoves.  More information follows.
 

As Drought Hammers Countryside, Many in Haiti go Hungry

  • Posted on: 24 February 2016
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Many countries throughout the world are stuggling with drought and food insecurity related to El Nino.  According to FEWS-NET agricultural production in Haiti is fifty percent below normal and coping mechanisms are being exhausted. Associated Press reporter David McFadden's describes the impact that food insecurity is having on parts of the Haitian countryside. The full article follows. 

NPR Music Review: RAM (Manman M Se Ginen)

  • Posted on: 19 February 2016
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

For me, Haiti will always conjure up sounds of rara music. Rara is Haitian street music, often celebrated during Catholic and Vodoun holidays, with a rhythm that is almost hypnotic.  Rara can be both celebration and resistance. NPR recently reviewed RAM - a Haitian band that has long combined elements of rock and rara.  Listen to the review here or read the transcript below. Better yet, go see them perform at the Hotel Oloffson in Port au Prince. 

Haitian Embassy Announces 2016 Future Leaders Fellowship

  • Posted on: 9 February 2016
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

The Embassy of Haiti in Washington, D.C. is now accepting applications are or the Haiti's Future Leaders Fellowship.  The fellowship targets graduate students and young professionals of Haitian descent in the United States and talented university students in Haiti.  Haiti-bound fellows will be based in Port-au-Prince as part of an eight week program from June-August 2016. Applications are due by March 1st, 2016. More information below:

Galerie Monnin and Vassar Haiti Project Celebrate Haitian Art (Washington DC)

  • Posted on: 5 February 2016
  • By: Bryan Schaaf
The Vassar Haiti Project (VHP)and the venerable Galerie Monnin are holding a weekend celebration of Haitian art from February 5th – 7th at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Washington DC.  More than 200 paintings and a variety of handicrafts will be featured. Proceeds will support a variety of projects including the completion of a multi-purpose space with a women's cooperative and a kindergarten.   Can’t attend? Take a look at the VHP’s projects which focus on education, vocational support, and health care.  In addition, the Galerie Monnin website is a great resource for learning about Haitian art. More information about each below: 
 

How to Spend a Perfect Week in Haiti

  • Posted on: 29 September 2015
  • By: Bryan Schaaf
Below is a blog posted by travel writer Kathleen Rellihan on the Fodor's website.  Kathleen concisely describes all that awaits the patient traveler in Haiti - music, art, rum, and a unique and compelling history. She lists options for travelling individually or in groups.  If there is anything you would have added to her list below, please post in the comments section. 

Ex-Peace Corps Volunteers Urge U.S Action on Dominican Immigration Policies

  • Posted on: 10 August 2015
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Over 4,400 volunteers have served in the Dominican Republic. According to CNN's Mariano Castillo, three former Peace Corps/Dominican Republic Country Directors and 560 former volunteers have sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry requesting that the United States suspend military aid to the Dominican government over human rights abuses and a crackdown on Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent. This high level advocacy from former volunteers shows how connected they remain to the country in which they served, and their concern for the human rights of all people living within its borders. The full article follows. 

Earthspark Expands Haiti's First Pre-Pay Solar Micro-Grid

  • Posted on: 15 May 2015
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Earthspark, a renewable energy NGO, has expanded Haiti's first pre-pay solar micro grid in the town of Les Anglais.  It has a 90 kW solar PV array which is enough to provide clean, reliable power to 430 households and businesses.  Earthspark will hold two launch events – one on June 1st in Les Anglais and a fundraiser on June 11th in Washington DC.  More information is attached and below. 

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