On a twisty-turny bumpy ride down to Jacmel, I anticipated a visit to a place that I always heard about. Every time I’d mention Haiti to people when speaking of my blog, I was asked, “Have you been to Jacmel?!” How could I promote the most beautiful places in Haiti but still had yet to see this desirable place? That finally changed when we entered Jacmel on a dark Tuesday night. That night, Vlad and Georges met us at the Cap Lamandou hotel from the Art Creation Foundation for Children. ACFFC is an organization that I’ve had a South Florida connection with for a few years after meeting Judy Hoffman, the founder of ACFFC, who was selling papier mache art pieces that the children made at center. Vlad and Georges met us to welcome us to Jacmel and to go over the plans for us to visit the children at ACFFC.Papouche, a local Jacmelian and member of ACFFC met us at the hotel to show us where the center was. We arrived at the 2 story freestanding building, beautifully decorated in mosaics on the front, including the choublack (hibiscus flower) with inspiration from Haiti’s new logo. We entered the little shop where the art is for sale to visitors with so much to look at…papier mache masks, ornaments, wall hanging, bowls and glass mosaic bottles.  We were given a tour downstairs and upstairs where we saw the computer room, the pharmacy and the library. Art made by these children is everywhere…it’s absolutely beautiful. Aside from its aesthetic beauty, the beautiful children were sitting quietly waiting for their professor to come. We chatted with them and hung out for a little bit while we enjoyed the view of the city of Jacmel.There are around 104 children that benefit from this amazing program. They are sent to school and go to ACFFC after school where they make art, are fed dinner and then go back home to their families. This system of encouragement, not enabling, makes so much sense for Haiti.The city of Jacmel is covered in beautiful mosaic walls done by the children of ACFFC throughout the years. We got to drive around and see all of the different designs and creativity! I am always approached by non-profits; mostly orphanages that want me to promote their org. I usually willing to help, but it wasn’t until I learned about ACFFC and what they were about that I started second guessing many other orgs. ACFFC didn’t say anything to me directly about this topic, but seeing the operation for myself and visiting the building opened my eyes. These kids might have been considers “orphans” by Americans because their parents don’t have money, however, instead of tearing those ones away and institutionalizing them as “orphans,” they are taught art skills, life skills and confidence. Se La Pou’w La (You must see it for your self!!!!) and education is key!

UPDATE 5/14: Thank you everyone who came to meet us at the Haitian Heritage Month celebration where our photos are displayed! It was a beautiful afternoon and we had a blast! We appreciate all of the love!!!!!

Please join us 5/11/13 
Diana's photography exhibition is now traveling to Broward County, Florida! The 10 piece photographic exhibition will be displayed at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Ft. Lauderdale for Haitian Heritage Month (May 1-31). *Opening reception with a "Meet the Artist" panel on 5/11/13 from 12-2pm!*
*All framed photos will be for sale for various prices. If not sold at the exhibit, they will be for sale in my shop!
"MEET THE ARTIST" EVENT: MAY 11, 12-2 pm
EXHIBITION DATES: MAY 1-31 (Haitian Heritage Month)
EXHIBITION HOURS: 
Monday, Wednesday: 12 noon to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address:
2650 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Click here to get directions from Google Maps.
Telephone:
954-357-6282

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
A journey of the heart leads to the real Haiti
Marci Shatzman mshatzman@tirbune.com

10:17 AM EST, December 26, 2012

When Diana Pierre-Louis entered a contest to rebrand her husband's native country of Haiti, she didn't know she would win, let alone be a guest of the president. Twice.

Now this Fort Lauderdale native turned West Boca media guru is helping the tourism ministry pro bono. She wants the world to know that most of Haiti is open for visitors and business, after the January 2010 earthquake left only those images. "Actually, most of the island was unaffected," she said.

That's her slogan Experience It! in the new logo with the red hibiscus. "The logo designer is Xavier Delatour [who] lives in Haiti. I was the slogan winner and they combined his logo with my slogan," she said in an email, after a visit to the couple's home off U.S. Highway 441.

There's even a billboard with the new logo on Interstate 95 at 79th Street in Miami, Pierre-Louis said, showing an image on her iPad. She started TheRealHaiti.Com, a website that grew out of her blog, and has her own line of island jewelry. "Every piece tells a story," she said.

Pierre-Louis was surprised to have found herself on the front row at the business forum on the Haitian dispora at the North Miami Beach Library. She received the invitation from Haiti's vice consul in Miami, Guy Francois, she said. Her husband, Endy, was allowed to come later for President Michel Martelly's State of the Country address from the nearby Gwen Margolis Amphitheater on Dec. 10. The first lady knew her name, she said.

Now both 29, Endy is a registered nurse in the ER at Delray Medical Center. She has degrees from Florida Atlantic and Lynn universities, and is the digital media specialist for Palm Beach State College. She works on the Boca Raton campus once a week.

Diana met Endy through a fix up, and they were a couple for years before they married a year and a half ago. He has been in the U.S. since 1998, a native of Petit-Goaves, a coastal town. His nickname is the Haitian Sensation, he said laughing.

It took her immediate family awhile to come around. The T-shirt she's wearing on her business cards says: "What do you mean I don't look Haitian?"

But their differences were more than skin deep. "It took a while for me to understand the cultural differences," she said.

"The hardest part for her was, we're more laid back," he said.

But it wasn't until her a visit to Labadee, a private resort, aboard a cruise ship in 2008, and a 10-day trip with Endy's relatives that included the ruins of the mountaintop fortress La Citadelle that she became all things Haitian. She loves to show off photos of the stunning views. "It couldn't believe my eyes," she said.

So in March, she entered the contest she saw on the ministry's Facebook page, and in May discovered she had won via a website. "I saw my name and I freaked out," she said. In June she and Endy flew to Haiti to meet Martelly, receive her plaque and hand-beaded flag emblem, and in August they used the hotel package she won.

"This can't be the end. I want to continue promoting the country," she remembers thinking. Then in October, "they made me an official partner…"

The couple knows they're on a journey and they're excited at where this could take them. Endy is proud of his wife's commitment to his country and the Haitian people. "When you stay at a hotel, you feel like you're at someone's home," she said. "By the end of the trip, you're friends."




Copyright © 2012, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/boca-raton/fl-brf-haiti-1219-20121226,0,3873381.story 

I apologize that it's hard to read! There was no online copy, so I scanned it in. 

On Dec. 10, I drove down to the North Miami Beach Library to attend the Haitian Diaspora Integration Forum where President Michel Martelly was in attendance. The day was full of great information on the progress of Haiti since the earthquake including construction, education, tourism and more.

"We think it's very important to change the image," said President Martelly. A great reminder of why my hard work is important and I will continue this as long as it's possible!

The best part...I introduced myself to the first lady and before I finished, she said..."I know who you are!" 

In the evening, Martelly delivered his State of the Country address where he covered a lot of the same information, but excited the crowd with his personality, humor and down-to-earth presence. 

I could go on and on, but the administration did such a great job of documenting the information that I have included the links below. Enjoy!

Pictures from the forum: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460624613973482.100640.153371961365417&Pictures from the State of the Country Address: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.461395330563077.100749.153371961365417&type=1
News coverage on speech: http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21009287645415/president-of-haiti-speaks-in-south-florida/ 

I started writing this as a Facebook post, but it was just too long. So, here I go. This is what blogs are for, right? :)

I need my father in law's meds and insulin to get to Haiti asap. It needs to stay cold, so shipping overnight was going to be over $200. I asked a couple of friends if anyone was going or if they knew anyone going. They all replied immediately. One friend has a friend leaving tomorrow so my husband contacted him. He will be bringing the medicine for us tomorrow.

It's times like these where I love being involved the Haitian community. The man is a friend of a friend, who knows we need help. I am constantly shocked by nice gestures like these. It may not seem like any big deal at all, but for me, it's huge. I've always lived by, what goes around...comes around. 

To do a favor for someone you don't even know or never met in your life is the Haitian way of life. Endy, my husband, always tells me, "All Haitians are family. We stick together. We help each other. It's no big deal." That is one reason why I am 10000000% dedicated to this blog and teaching others about Haiti/Haitians. Thank you to my friend, thank you to the man helping and thank you to all of you who do random favors for people because when you will need someone, I guarantee one of them will be there for you. 

Lulu is a Haitian-American woman who has a passion for cooking! She's been making Haitian pikliz and a friend of hers, Berry, convinced her to bottle it up and sell it. The jars say: "The fondest memories of my childhood were in the kitchen with my Mother. Cooking is my passion. I do it with love! From my kitchen to yours." Lulu

They had the debut of the product last week at the FAU Green Market in Boca Raton, FL! For sale: mild, medium and hot of pikliz and a caribbean relish. Both are great! 

Lulu's cuisine contact info for purchases:
luluscuisine@gmail.com
954-580-9606

While enjoying the sun, sand and sea at Wahoo Bay Beach resort in Port-au-Prince, I saw a group of young guys having the time of their lives. Our group started talking to their group and soon enough we became friends. My husband talked about The Real Haiti and one of the guys knew about my website already!!!

We ate, danced, sang and others joined in. The power of music brought people in from all parts of the beach and pool. It was beautiful! It is such an incredible feeling to know that the good word about Haiti is spreading! We had such a wonderful day and I captured just a little bit of all the fun we had below. Enjoy! 

Day visit review:
We visited Wahoo Bay Beach for the day to enjoy the pool and beautiful ocean. It is $15 US/person to get in which is totally worth it! The food is very good and the servers come right to the beach to bring our food and drinks. You can find a variety of tourists and locals at the hotel where there's a nice volleyball court and amazing pool!

The beach: The beach was packed! The shore doesn't reach too far out and the water is close, but the way it's set up makes it comfortable to relax outside of the water. 

Best part: The vibe at the hotel is great! Even if you're not staying overnight, the staff makes you feel at home.

Tip: The hotel has a signature drink called the Wahoo. Don't drink more than one...I heard one is plenty! :)

Overnight visit review (Jan. 2013):
We visited Wahoo Bay again, but this time to sleep at the hotel. The service was wonderful. The owner and her daughter are very friendly and out and about to speak to the guests. The guests were diverse and there was a general welcoming feeling to this stay. The food is amazing! The rooms are modern and beautiful. The beds are comfortable and the views are incredible!