 For the second year in a row, the Tyrone Bryant Library in Ft. Lauderdale, FL invited us to display Haitian photography and artifacts that we have collected. This year, we were asked to do an activity with children as part as our education for Haitian culture. Of course, we said yes! The event was story time with kids and a kite making workshop - Endy's favorite memory as a child in Haiti. We weren't sure how the kids would react, especially since it's a pretty tedious craft. I was given a stack of books to choose from to read to the kids. As I went through them to choose one, they were either long and boring, full of "facts" or they were completely untrue and negative information about Haiti} earthquake, poverty, illness, etc}. This was not the cultural education that I wanted to share with the kids. So, I chose a book with nice pictures and ad-libbed it through story time, providing my own knowledge and asking the kids about their views of Haiti. I asked the kids to raise their hands if they are Haitian. About 10 did, but I couldn't help but notice a teenager smiling without raising her hand. I knew she was Haitian. She didn't want to admit it, though, which of course I called her out on and told her she should be PROUD. She was shy, pretending she wasn't Haitian. When we started the kites, she sped ahead of everyone and was almost done with hers by the time we were all on step 2. She started to help the other little kids. A few of the little kids knew a lot about Haiti. They said Haitians are creative, there are snakes there, there's sand there, they eat griot and rice and they use goude for money. This all made us very happy, but I am so glad we did this activity with our local community because it just motivates me more to write my own book so we can share it with those who know little or nothing. I am putting it out there again, so I am held accountable, to provide a book for kids that they will feel proud to be Haitian at the end of it. Or, they will know about the real CULTURE in Haiti, not the one the news tells us about {voodoo, stealing, violence}.
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 It was a pleasure for us to meet all of the people who stopped by our tent at Taste of Haiti! Endy and I are grateful for your support! We were selling jewelry at the event this year, but we are most grateful for the interaction with you all! The Real Haiti is about empowering each other, not competing or getting rich. Knowing that we are responsible for reigniting your fire for your love for Haiti is the most rewarding part. Thank you everyone for your support and love. We continue this empire to keep inspiring you! …and our hopes and dreams for Haiti! Mesi anpil! With love, Diana & Endy We shared a table with Ginen Creations by Sophie pictured below. Special thanks to our sister in law Martine for her help! The best month of the year is here! Haitian Heritage Month. Here are the events going on in Palm Beach County.
  It's taken me weeks to process this. And many drafts. My husband thinks I am a little nuttier than he thought before and my heart is so full of love from people who I didn't know 30 days ago. I've been posting about the Art Creation Foundation for Children for a while now. It all started in January of 2011 at an event in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I met and interviewed Judy Hoffman, the founder of ACFFC. She told me about the foundation and how several pieces of the art displayed at the event were pieces as art therapy that the kids did to heal after the trauma. I bought a few pieces of art at the fundraiser that the kids made from papier mâché (future blog about why this is important!). This past March, I had the pleasure of visiting ACFFC in Jacmel. Most of the kids were on Easter break, but we were able to stop by a site where there were some creating a mosaic wall near a gas station {blog and video about it}. It was awesome, but I didn't know exactly why I loved this place and the idea of ACFFC until this November 2. Ten kids from ACFFC - they are 16-22, but I am calling them kids - got visas to visit the US to work on a mosaic project with Toussaint L'Ouverture high school in Delray Beach {press release with details}. On November 2, we attended a meet and greet gathering with all of them. This was the beginning of a journey that took my heart on a ride and I will treasure forever. Food, dancing, DJ Endy and most of all, an experience of so much love from "strangers" and now friends. It was more than a photography assignment...My experience working with a Haitian photographer.10/20/2013  He was dressed in a red button down shirt, dress pants and dress shoes. He had his camera bag full of equipment and his PRESS pass around his neck. He pulled out a notebook to show me how he keeps track of the details of the photos he takes. The front of it has the CNN logo and he told me his friend from the US sent it to him. Inside it reads: Ki moun? Kisa? Kile? Ki kote? Kijan? Poukisa? I am writing about Fedno Lubin, a 20 year old young man who lives in Jacmel, Haiti. Ten years ago, he moved from the mountainside to live with his aunt in the city to go to school. Fedno’s aunt knew about the Art Creation Foundation for Children (ACFFC) and signed him up. Over the years, he learned many forms of art, but his passion is photography, who he learned from Jen Pantaleon…his teacher and guide. He mentioned Jen’s name a lot throughout the 2 days we spent together for Gout et Saveurs Lakay, Haiti's Food & Spirits Festival to celebrate the country's Gastronomy. His appreciation for the art of photography is great. He inspires me.
 Tell Lisa you found out about her trip from The Real Haiti!
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2KBES MEDIA is the missing link in the Haitian Entertaiment Industry (HEI). Mission Our mission is to offer a comprehensive online guide for music, movies (TV shows), all the latest news and developments in the Haitian Entertainment Industry (HEI). Description 2KBES, the newest media company in the Haitian community and hub of the Haitian Entertainment Industry (HEI). A place where you’ll find the latest development in the Haitian Entertainment Industry (HEI), such as celebrity interviews, video premieres, movies, TV shows, performances, and venue entertainment. Our vision is to enrich the lives of our audience and to have a positive impact on our community. By achieving this vision, we strive to become the #1 promoter of the Haitian culture. We strive to improve the knowledge of the Haitian culture through quality business practices, involvement in societies and meetings… We seek to make our community a better place by maintaining the highest ethical standard in conducting our business and by being active in the community We pledge to place our customers’ interest above all else |
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