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Connecting with a voice from Haiti's grassroots

March 11, 2010 by Manolia Charlotin, Special to the Reporter

Manolia CharlotinManolia CharlotinEarly Tuesday morning I finally received the call I had waited anxiously for. “Koman ou ye, Manolia?” Melinda excitely boomed through the cell phone. “M’ap kenbe” I responded.  
Melinda Miles, co-founder and executive director of Konbit Pou Ayiti (KONPAY), had finally called to brief me on Haitian grassroots relief efforts in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel.  She was actually in the States, preparing for her testimony to the U.S. Congress.  She hoped her testimony would shed a light on the ineffective practices that disable widespread distribution of aid in Haiti.  The international distribution system lacks the community building aspect that allows Haitian community organizers (also known as Animators) to effectively participate in relief efforts.  Read more

Letter to Obama: Haiti should become temporary "protectorate" of U.S.

March 11, 2010 by Guerton Auguste

The following excerpts are from an open letter to President Barack Obama shared with the Reporter by Boston resident Guerton Auguste.
Dear Mr. President,
As the crisis in Haiti, brought on by the earthquake of January 12, 2010, continues to evolve, we in the Haitian community are just beginning to comprehend the magnitude of the calamity that has stricken our fellow human beings—our children, our brothers and sisters, uncle and aunts, nephews and neighbors. Mr. President, I am proud and grateful to say that the American people and their president did not stay neutral but in fact stood tall to show the world what it means to have Americans as friends and neighbors. You particularly, went beyond the call of duty and responsibility. Read more

Reflections on the "Hibernian Miracle" and its follow-up

March 11, 2010 by Nancy Rachel Rousseau, Special to the Reporter

Nancy Rachel RousseauNancy Rachel RousseauOn January 16, over 85 organizations pulled together in response to the earthquake that hit Haiti just four days earlier.  What is now being referred to as the “Hibernian Miracle” by some was an event that galvanized the humanitarian efforts of over 3,000 people.  There is no other way to describe it: the collaborative effort was extraordinarily amazing and overwhelmingly emotional. Read more

St. Fleur inspired generation of young Haitian-Americans

March 11, 2010 by Fafa Girault, Special to the Reporter

Fafa GiraultFafa GiraultMarie St. Fleur’s election to the House of Representatives in July 1999 made her the first Haitian-American elected official in Massachusetts. That distinction also makes her planned departure — at the end of the current term next January —significant.
Some will say “ who cares” and “why is this important.” I’ll tell you why: For years she has been our liaison with the government here in Massachusetts. I question if her leaving will create some sort of a gap. Will her leaving inspire someone of Haitian decent to step up to the plate? I know she has definitely inspired me. We as a people have come a long way. Her being a woman of color is a big deal to me. Her being Haitian is an even bigger deal.
I decided to talk to some Haitian Americans between the ages of 18 to 35 to get their views. I asked how her position has impacted them and whether her departure affect our community in any way. Read more

Moving beyond the remittance/transfer dependency

February 11, 2010 by Karl E. Salomon, Special to the Reporter

Karl SalomonKarl SalomonSince the 1980s, the level of remittance to Haiti has dramatically increased, and so has Haiti’s dependence on the Diaspora. According to the Inter-American Development Bank, Haitians abroad remitted $1.87 billion (US) to their relatives in Haiti in 2008. This amount is more than a 900 percent increase from the $106 million mark of 1980, based on The World Bank’s data. This astounding amount made up more than 26 percent of the country’s gross domestic product for that year and averaged out to about $5 million per day. Read more

Let voters, not bureaucrats, decide elections

January 11, 2010 by Brian Concannon Jr., Esq.

Last month Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (PEC) took the undemocratic and dangerous step of eliminating 13 political parties, including Haiti’s most popular party, Fanmi Lavalas, from Parliamentary elections scheduled for February and March 2010. The decision threatens not only Haiti’s democracy and stability, but billions in foreign investments. Fortunately, prompt action by the United States, the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of American States (OAS) can avoid this looming disaster. Read more

Immigration Q & A: TRAVEL TIPS FROM THOSE IN CHARGE

June 24, 2009 by Irish Immigration Centre

Q. I’m planning on a vacation trip out of the United States soon. Is there anything in particular that I should keep in mind? Read more

Immigration Q&A: Thinking of studying in the United States?

June 24, 2009 by Irish Immigration Centre

Q. What are the basic requirements for a visa that would allow me to study at a university in the United States? Read more

Desire hailed as ‘unsung hero’ for work with AFAB

June 24, 2009 by Lou Manzo

On a cold snowy night in Boston’s South End, The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) hosted the 19th Annual Neighborhood Fellows Banquet to honor Boston’s unsung heroes on March 3 (2009). The Neighborhood Fellows grants unrestricted $30,000 personal cash awards to “social entrepreneurs who often go unrecognized, but who make a vital contribution to our quality of life.”

This year Haitian-American activist Carline Desire was one of six honored with the award. She join 112 other Fellows who in total have been awarded over $2.5 million since 1991. Read more

Letter to the Editor: Hope must be backed up with honesty

June 24, 2009 by Cherlie M. Normilus

To the Editor:
I write in response to the commentary published in your February (2009) edition entitled “Change Haiti Can Believe In”. I am relieved knowing that there are people who are still deeply concerned about Haiti’s past and current conditions. Read more

Immigration Q&A: Leaving the U.S. is easy; getting back in may be hard

June 24, 2009 by Irish Immigration Centre

Q. I filed an adjustment of status (AOS) application to become a legal permanent resident in the U.S. based on my marriage to a U.S. citizen. I received a card authorizing me to work legally in the U.S., and I understand that I probably will have my green card interview fairly soon. Could I now fly back to Ireland for a couple of weeks this summer, before I actually receive permanent resident status? I haven’t been home in a couple of years, and I want to introduce my wife to my family. Read more

Immigration Q&A: Abusive Marriage, Legal Permanent Residence: Help is Available

June 24, 2009 by Irish Immigration Centre

Q. My sister is in the US in undocumented status and has been in an abusive marriage for some time. Her husband is a US citizen and has refused to cooperate with her in an application for a green card. Is there a way that she can do this on her own? Also, she is planning to leave her husband and go to a shelter. What kind of documents should she take with her when she leaves? Read more

Haitian government raises minimum wage to $5.50 per day

June 24, 2009 by Wadner Pierre

Haitian labor activists applauded the Preval administration's decision to raise the minimum wage in Haiti from 70 to 200 gourdes ($5.50 USD) per day. However, the increase has been strongly opposed by Haitian industrialists. Georges Sassine, president of ADIH (an association of Haitian industrialists) warned that the wage increase would cost tens of thousands of jobs. He claimed that similar minimum wage increases in Cambodia have proven disastrous. Read more

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