Haiti Political Blog

Last February 19th, 2008, local officials launched a project involving cultural activities in the district of Belair (district once controlled by gangs) that is aimed to revalorize the district which is located at the center of the capital by the promotion of the artistic and artisan production.

The project, financed by the inter-American Bank of development (Bid) cost US$12,000, implies, the “National Commission of Disarmament, Dismantling and Reintegration (Cnddr)”, the town hall of “Port-au-Prince” and the AfricAmerica Foundation. This project goal is to help discover the artists and craftsmen of the Bel Air, indicates the artist Barbara Prézeau Stephenson, president of the AfricAmérica Foundation.

The image of this district, high historical place of the capital, was tarnished these last years, because of the presence of armed bands which operated there. A survey carried out in the Bel Air by the team of Barbara Prézeau Stephenson, in November 2007, made it possible to count more than 900 workshops of artists and craftsmen. 27% of them are specialized craftsmen. The carpenters and cabinetmakers account for 22%, the workers of the textile 18% and the shoe-makers 13%. Among those surveyed, a 93 year old man continues to manufacture saddles of horse.

Barbara Prézeau Stephenson announced the creation of funds to support and promote the artistic production of Bel Air and the creation of a web site to promote the production world wide.

“This project will succeed if and only it allows the artists and craftsmen of Bel Air to generate incomes, to have a greater economic comfort”, Alix Fils-Aime supports, president of Cnddr.

As for Nadege Augustin, Assistant Major of the city of Port-with-Prince representing the city, she states of the importance to develop the artistic production among the young people. “Our culture is a tool which makes it possible for all citizen to be integrated and be part of society”, underlines she brilliantly said.

A protocol of agreement was also signed between Association “Kòdinasyon Atis ak Atizan Bèlè” (Coordination of the Artists and Artisans of the Bel Air - KAABEL) and the Town hall of Port-with-Prince. Mario Calixte, born in the district, one of the leaders of this coordination, pleads in favor of support for the artists and craftsmen of the Bel Air. He believes they will benefit a lot from this project.

Ron Maggard preaching in Thomassin, preparing the Church Planting Conference with Frances as they are getting ready to go to the next town where they are were invited to teach Haitian national pastors about church planting.

It is a great blessing and opportunity for Ron and the church. This Baptist fellowship has 143 pastors all seem very excited and ready are to learn!.

The Haitian government has nominated Guyler C. Delva as the country’s candidate for the UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. That is one big opportunity to Guyler to rise among the top journalist in Haiti.

The National Assembly Opened 19 Jan 2008 not without drama. New Leaders emerged as head of the Parlment Assembly. Now haitians have their eyes on Doctor Kelly C. Bastien, the First Senator from the North. He became President of the Senate on January 17th, 2008, which means he the President of the National Assembly after a group of 26 senators voted for Kelly C. Bastien.

As for this week haitian political drama, i’ts all about Double Nationality.
Yes indeed the newly elected Vice President of the Senate was born in USA, but he never rejected his Haitian Nationality, which means he is an Haitian and therefore is elegibible to be elected and siege as a Senator.

Is that true?

One famous lawyer said:
Yes because Haitian Institutions are not strong enough - what if a haitian woman, he said, near the border have to be rushed to the nearest hospital and that it happened to be in Dominican Republic next door, she gives birth to a child…

Is the child Haitian or Dominican?

Are you ready for Haiti Carnaval 2008?
Haitians all around the globe are thinking about carnaval in haiti. Are you going to the carnaval this year? The theme is “Environment Protection”!

Do you prefer to watch the carnaval over the internet?

here are some links :

Coverage Haiti Carnaval 2008
Haiti Carnaval 2008 Videos
Haiti Carnaval Musique Racine
Haiti Carnaval Musique Rap 2008

Merry Christmas to everyone. Enjoy your Holiday with all the great events on RockMasters.com.

Here are the Highlights for this week

WED & THU: Catch artist Mr RJ with upcoming artist St. Louis at Spider Cafe in Ct on Wed. & Brasserie Creole on Thu.

FRIDAY: We start with T-Vice at SOBs. Then there is Soiree Antillaise at Labadee Manoir in Jamaica Finally there is Soiree Dansante at Ambiance Cafe in Brooklyn.

SATURDAY: The main event is Bizi/Carimi at Irvington Manor in NJ. Then T-Vice & Nu Look at Amazura. Also Labadee Manoir anniversary Gala takes place at Labadee Manoir. Finally, Deja Vue Saturdays at the Summit in Elmont; “Ladies & Gentlemen Night” at Ambiance Cafe in Brooklyn and Zouk Lovers Saturdays at Wells Club in Brooklyn.

SUNDAY: We welcome back BIZI for an encore performance at MySpace Sundays at Brasserie Creole. Then we have Hang out & Zenglen at Djumbala in Brooklyn. Finally, there is Gala Dominical at Labadee Manoir in Jamaica & Konpa Groove Sundays at TAJ in NYC.

MONDAY: Christmas Eve, we have Hangout & Zenglen in NJ at the Robert Treat Hotel. Then System Band at Ambiance Cafe in Brooklyn.

TUESDAY: Christmas day is celebrated with Kreyol La & Carimi at Amazura.
Go to the calendar below for details on all the upcoming events and have a great “RockMasters” weekend

How to tap into “Yahoo! Answers” 60+ Million highly responsive users & start pulling them to your own website within the next 5 minutes completely free…

read more | digg story

Auctions can be an excellent way for small organizations to raise seed money with which to start pilot programs. Sometimes these new programs will work, and can be expanded. Other times, the decision will be made to discontinue but it will still have been an important learning experience for the organization.

Pwof Ansanm (Teachers Together) is a small organization with a proven track record of improving the effectivness of teachers with innovative training techniques.

It would be a dis-service to call what many children are subjected to as education. The most qualified often avoid the profession, especially in rural areas. Who wants to go months without receiving a paycheck? The poorly trained teachers who accept the positions lectures the students in broken French who recite endlessly, but do not analyze and critique, the information they are presented. Questions are discouraged. Haiti would benefit from a cadre of Carribean Socratic instructors.

VOA News - Haiti’s Hopes for Biofuels Rest on Jatropha Plant:

“Haiti is looking to a small shrub called jatropha to fuel an alternative energy boom that may help cut the impoverished country’s reliance on oil and charcoal. VOA’s Brian Wagner reports the efforts already are drawing the support of Brazil and the United States in developing clean and renewable fuel supplies.

The rising cost of foreign oil has governments and researchers around the world searching for cheaper and more sustainable forms of energy. In Haiti, the hope is centered on a native plant called jatropha curcas, which bears oily seeds that can be crushed and processed to produce diesel fuel for generators or vehicles.”