Www.HandtoHandHaiti.com Native of Haiti Pelege Lareus

www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

Native of HaitiPelege Lareus


• History of Haiti• Life in Haiti• My Journey• Starting a Non-Profit• Current Situation• What the people of Haiti need


Bad situation in HaitiWilling to wear anything…

even University of Michigan hat!


Haitian Creole SayingsL’Union Fait La ForceUnion Makes Strength

• Lèspoua fè viv. Hope makes one live.• Grangou nan vant pa dous. Hunger in

stomach isn’t sweet.• Bon pa gaspiyè. A good thing is not wasted.


Proud History of Haiti

• 1492 – Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola.

• 1698 – The island of Hispaniola divided in half. The western half became Haiti under French control.

• 1804 – Haiti became 1st black republic after a slave revolt led by Toussaint L’Ouverture.

• Haiti was the 2nd independent country in the western hemisphere after the United States was 1st.

• Haiti helped Simon Bolivar fight for independence of other South American countries.


Problems and Corruption

• When Haiti declared their independence other countries, including the US, did not recognize Haiti as a country.

• Other countries feared having slave revolts in their own countries.

• Countries cut off trade to Haiti after their independence.• In 1825, Haiti agreed to pay France 150 million gold

francs (approximately $21 billion US dollars) in exchange for being recognized as a nation.

• These payments to France continued until 1922 leaving Haiti broke without a chance of ever becoming prosperous.

• Out of this, developed corrupt political leaders and instability.


Map of Haiti

I’m from Baie-du-Mesle

•The village of Baie-du-Mesle is on south coast, east of Les Cayes

•3 hours south of Port-au-PrinceBaie-du-Mesle


My Life In Haiti

• Born October 7, 1978 in Baie-du-Mesle, Haiti.

• Had 7 siblings. Father delivered all of us at home.

• Attended school.• Helped family with farming, taking care

of animals, fishing and fetching water.• Grew up in a Christian home. Knew of

voodoo, but not taught it.


Example of a Houseusually have grass roofs


Positives of Life in Baie-du-Mesle

• Grew up along ocean– Fishing, diving,

swimming and boating

• Grew our own food– Fresh oranges,

mangos, coconuts, avocado

• Large family• Beauty of nature


Handmade canoes and fishing nets


Negatives of Life in Baie-du-Mesle

• No electricity or running water

• No hospital or doctors

• No police, fire or emergency squads


Negatives of Life in Baie-du-Mesle - Continued

• Harsh sides of nature– Strong storms and

flooding– Swarms of

mosquitoes– Hard work of

growing crops

• Hard work of daily life

Doing laundry by hand


Unique Differences

• Saw very few white people before leaving Haiti. Scared of their green eyes.

• It was very rare to see a car in my village of Baie-du-Mesle.

• Never saw toilet in my village.


My Journey

• Left on refugee boat at age of 13.– 2 days in rough seas with 150 people

• Boat picked up by US Coast Guard – Watched refugee boat go up in flames and realized how blessed we were.– Spent 3 months in tents in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.– Went through interview process to pass through immigrations. Some were

sent back to Haiti.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Boat_People_from_Haiti.jpg


My Journey in US

• Short time in Miami, Florida• Sent by Immigration Dept. to Columbus, OH

– Lived with family friends in Short North area– After winter, 3 people I lived with returned to

Florida– Stayed with a family who spoke Haitian Creole

• Lived in foster homes in Newark, OH– Started 7th Grade in Newark– Friends and American family from Newark, OH– Played soccer, basketball, ran cross country and

track


Starting a Non-Profit

• Never forgot about people in Haiti.

• Almost 4 years ago began Hand to Hand 501(c)3 – With help and support of friends

and Nationwide co-workers– 8 months to complete IRS

approval process– Developed website

www.HandtoHandHaiti.com– Have board of directors– Mission to help people of Baie-

du-Mesle

http://www.handtohandhaiti.com/


Before Earthquake

• People were already suffering before the earthquake.

• Ability to grow crops and fish has suffered due to:– Climate change– Deforestation and soil

erosion– Drought, flooding,

hurricanes– Schools of sardines, shrimp

and other fish have disappeared

• People not looking for a handout, but need help

http://blog.epa.gov/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/hurricane.jpg


Post Earthquake Situation

• International news and aid around Port-au-Prince

• Other areas of country suffering, including Baie-du-Mesle

• Limited food supplies already, now even more scarce

• People are leaving Port-au-Prince and returning to their native villages

• Rainy season is already beginning and will compound problems further


People of Haiti are Survivors


What the people of Haiti need?

• Strong Leadership!• Immediate need for

food and water• Long-term

sustainable resources needed to become self-sufficient– Thriving economy– Education– Healthcare


Questions?

• Pelege’s contact information:– www.HandtoHandHaiti.com– [email protected]– 614-592-0798

http://www.handtohandhaiti.com/

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Www.HandtoHandHaiti.com Native of Haiti Pelege Lareus