I LOVE to learn. Never stop learning! I googled the Haitian Constitution to read it and found it online. I found these most interesting:

• ARTICLE 20: The death penalty is abolished in all cases.
  
• ARTICLE 31-2: The police authorities must be notified in advance of assemblies outdoors in public places. 
  
• ARTICLE 32-1: Education is the responsibility of the State and its territorial divisions. They must make schooling available to all, free of charge, and ensure that public and private sector teachers are properly trained.
  
• ARTICLE 32-10: Teachers are entitled to a fair salary.
  
• ARTICLE 41-1:  No Haitian needs a visa to leave or return to the country.

Based on things I've HEARD (of course hearsay isn't always the truth), these few articles are not being followed. What do you think? Do you think that everytime there's a large gathering the police are notified? or that everyone has access to FREE school? Teachers getting paid/paid fairly? 

MEDIA CONTACT: Diana Pierre-Louis

TheRealHaiti@gmail.com 561-504-6632

www.TheRealHaiti.com 


South Florida Lover of Haiti says, “Experience it yourself”

(Boca Raton, FL – March 28, 2012) When Diana Pierre-Louis was getting ready to leave for her dream vacation to Haiti, someone asked her, “Why on earth would you vacation there?” Her answer was, “Because Haiti is beautiful.” One day, she hopes Haiti’s image will be viewed the way she sees it - a beautiful destination full of rich culture and wonderful people - not a poverty-stricken country that is known for the devastating 2010 earthquake. That’s why she has started a movement to change the way people view Haiti at www.TheRealHaiti.com.

The people of Haiti, Haitian diaspora and lovers of the country are passionate about trying to convey this message that there’s more to Haiti than what we often hear. We hear that “Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere,” as if it is the country’s slogan. We hear about the earthquake, cholera, poverty, voodoo and corruption. We never hear about the many historical destinations, incredible beaches, successful businesses, or the culture.

Absolutely, there are struggles in Haiti, just like any other nation. If you Google “Haiti,” today, you will find the majority of stories related to the earthquake or stories portray Haiti in a negative light. While The Real Haiti does not ignore it, or try to erase the fact that there are challenges, the blog focuses on positive personal testimonials, showcase experiences and places or memories of Haiti through videos, photos, poems and more.

Soon after Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Minister of Tourism in Haiti was appointed by President Michele Martelly, she announced a contest to rebrand Haiti to increase tourism. Pierre-Louis saw the opportunity and created her marketing plan to show what she’s already done and her future plans to highlight Haiti. Since The Real Haiti was already established online, being able to showcase it in front of Villedrouin was the perfect chance. Anyone who submits a logo, slogan and explanation about their rebrand, will be posted website where people can vote from April 1 – 8. Villedrouin will select a winner from the top 15, who will get the chance to meet her in Haiti.

For Pierre-Louis, the contest is more than a logo and slogan. The movement has soared and it is becoming recognizable among the Haitian community. She believes that if people are educated about Haiti via personal stories, the positive image will bring people to experience it for themselves. The collective effort is about building a reputation and trust, where hopefully soon tourism will flourish in Haiti.

To vote for this movement in the tourism contest (April 1 – 8), visit www.TheRealHaiti.com and click the link to vote.

Editors note: Hi-Res version of The Real Haiti logo is available, as well as any pictures found on www.TheRealHaiti.com. 

I found out about the opportunity to apply to Haiti's Minister of Tourism's contest - a call for a logo, slogan and explanation of each. This is way more than a logo and slogan. It's a plan...a marketing plan to improve the image of the country. It will not happen overnight and it will be difficult to convince a tourist that Haiti is the place to go based on a beautiful logo. My submission was more of a proposal for a plan. I have already been doing these things and so I figured, why not apply! I submitted it today, but when it's up, I will post the link to vote. 
Link to the proposal turned in today.

My charity of choice is Food for The Poor. I donate to them annually and I love the communication they provide on social media to keep us informed of what they are doing with the money. I know there's low overhead and I appreciate that. But, I (and my husband) have an issue with the statements like, "$100 can feed 1 child for 6 months in Haiti." 

Based on experience, I know it's not that cheap to eat in Haiti. I don't know if this number is an estimate, a calculation based on mass quantities of food divided up, less meals than 3 a day, or through some special discount given to charities. I would be thrilled if this were the case, but I have a hard time believing it. Are any of you out there familiar with charities and food distribution? I would love to become more educated on this topic because as of right now, I am not sure I believe $100 will feed a child for 6 months. Please let me know! 

I was actually shocked to see that people were touring around little Haiti. I guess my misinterpretation of it was wrong, just like many people's view of Haiti. It was so very nice to see people getting interested in the community, admiring the people and art work. I am definitely going to have to make it down there for one of their events on every 3rd Friday - Big Night, Little Haiti. Check out this video -http://www.voanews.com/templates/widgetDisplay.html?id=133426908&player=article