By: Ford Pierre

​Halloween is a celebration that originated in Anglo-Saxon countries. The word is a contraction of the English expression "All Hallows Eve". It originates from the Celtic festival (Samhain), organized to welcome the deceased and the Celtic New Year, more than 2,500 years ago. The Celtic calendar then ended on October 31, and that last night was the night of the god of death (Samhain).
 
Later, Catholics decided to celebrate All Saints 'Day on November 1 and if we refer to the expression "All Hallow Eve" it means the eve of "All Saints' Day". And today, this holiday is mainly celebrated in Western countries, specifically Anglo-Saxons.
 
What is Halloween in Haiti like? Do Haitians Celebrate Halloween?
Influenced by Western culture through films, documentaries or even social networks, for some time in Haiti, we have been struck by this tendency to want to celebrate Halloween as they do in the United States, Ireland, Canada and elsewhere, without thinking about the cultural consequences that this could have on our society. There is nothing wrong with wanting to adapt to other cultures, but keeping cultural authenticity is also important. What should not be forgotten is that what makes the strength of cultural globality is diversity and divergence. A proper identity is therefore essential to be part of international globe.
 
The Day of the Dead in Haiti
The day of the dead is celebrated differently in Haiti, every November 1 and 2, voodoo followers celebrate their gods of death by visiting cemeteries to dance, drink and spit around the graves. This traditional festival is called "The Guédés festival", or Fet Gede with it's colorful theme of black and purple.
 
Who are the “Guédés” in the Haitian Culture?
According to voodoo mythology, the “Guédés” are the spirits of death and resurrection represented by a family of “Loas”. They are beings who have already lived in real life and who manifest their states of coarseness when they arise. Under the influence of these spirits, subjects express themselves in strange ways and sometimes make fun of people. Traditionally led by Barons, they are used to eating peppers and glasses. Sometimes they even smear their intimate parts with chili and rum without feeling anything.

Have you ever tried to ship something to Haiti? 
Now is certainly not the time to try or to attempt to arrange logistics in order to get items to Haiti. As I have been following the news and social media accounts, there are many people trying to 'do their part' by organizing activities to collect items that are needed by Haitians and rescue relief workers. In my opinion, it's a 'feel good' activity that is often self-fulfilling and also temporary. The thought is: If I donate _____, I will feel good because _______ many people will benefit. Then I will move on with my life and feel like I made a difference. Let me break it down to those who don't understand Haiti and the challenges that are associated.

In a perfect world, your items would arrive to Haiti and Haitians would get your items in a timely manner and then start using them. In reality, this often never happens because of many logistical issues in getting goods to Haiti. There are professional thieves who stay at the port or even work there that are ready to receive your donated items that they confiscate and never reach those in need. Also, in this particular instance, getting to the south of Haiti in Ley Cayes where the earthquake happened is not easy on a good day. Now add in debris and chaos from the tragic earthquake, country insecurity, foreigners trying to get in on the one-way-in-one-way-out road. I beg you to rethink the way you 'help, donate, organize, collect, etc. for Haiti.

When I didn't know any better yet, I advocated for a small non profit to collect backpacks and school supplies for Haiti. It 'felt good' knowing that the items collected would be distributed to those who needed it. Until they weren't. I asked months after the collection if the items arrived and I was told no, they did not have the funds to ship the items and didn't know how to logistically get them there in a way they could afford it. This is where my experience influenced my philosophy. So what happened to the backpacks and supplies? Did they ever make it? Did they end up donated here in the US instead? The donors will never know. Lesson learned for me....

Find orgs and businesses that you can buy from IN HAITI.
If you want to help and contribute to the relief efforts in Haiti, consider doing it differently. Haiti doesn't need your old tshirts or tennis shoes. If you buy products from Haitian businesses, you're helping them succeed already. Plus, you're not adding to the chaos logistical nightmare. Here's a short list of orgs and businesses I trust:

• Art Creation Foundation for Children
• Haiti Mama
• Singing Rooster

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me in the comments. 

Can you imagine seeing the video promo below on Haiti on TV today? It was 1983 and this video was produced for American Express to promote travel to Haiti! I see more things that have remained the same in Haiti than have changed.

Similarities and differences between Haiti in 1983 and today 
​
What hasn't changed in Haiti since 1983:

• Of course, the language, Haitian Creole. You will hear "bonjou" each morning, no matter if you know the person or not. I always come home from a trip saying it to other people in the United States and then giggle to myself, remembering I am not in Haiti.

• Hotels are family owned and operated and usually small, boutique style - You will love this about Haiti. You will feel as if you're staying at someone's private home. If you want personal experience reviews, check out ours here.

• Homey feeling, welcoming with open arms - This is what I think makes you fall in love with Haiti and keeps you going back.

• The weather - Haiti is hot usually year round, but cooler in the mountains. It's so refreshing to get that "break" from the heat if you can up in the mountains.

• Driving in Haiti - Just don't even try it! You should leave it up to the locals to transport you around.

• Tap-Taps - You must experience a tap-tap ride. It look me years of travelling to Haiti to finally go on one. You will get to see people going to work and school, where ever they are off to, it's a lot of fun! It's a great reminder that people in Haiti are just like everyone else, they do life and take care of their business.

• U.S. money is accepted everywhere - You don't need to exchange your money since you can pay with U.S. dollars in Haiti.

• Bargain shopping - Never, ever pay the first price offered to you, especially in touristy areas. You can get a $50 price for an item and eventually walk away with it later paying half or even less. However, this doesn't mean you want to devalue what you're buying and who you are buying from. You should pay what you feel is worth it to you or a little more if you're willing. It's important to know that just like any other tourist trap, you will be given a tourist price. If you're not comfortable with the end negotiated price, walk away. Nine times out of ten, they will come find you and accept your price.

• The beautiful, unique art - You can find Haitian art all over the island. It will become one of your favorite souvenirs to buy!

• Music and dance - Both are still a huge part of Haitian culture, but the sounds and styles of the music have changed a little.

• Publicity - Haiti still gets a bad wrap when it comes to the media. You can travel to Haiti without worry, but the news unfortunately doesn't paint that picture. It's still one of the safest countries in the world.

​

• Haitian food - Yep, it's still delicious!

What hasn't changed in Haiti since 1983:

• The Haitian flag differences from 1983 and 2018

• Architecture - Haiti is known for it's beautiful gingerbread houses, but they are not as common to see as they were in the past. Natural disasters and need to modernize certain areas have contributed to the destruction of the original architecture.

• ​Gourde - In 1983, the Haitian Gourde was 5 to $1 US dollar. Today, it is 63.13 Haitian Gourde to $1 US dollar. That's a drastic difference!

 

• ​Honeymooners - Caribbean islands are popular honeymoon destinations and although Haiti once was one, it isn't as popular now. Usually travelers who have visited the island before may choose to go back for their honeymoon.

 

• Unspoiled, no crowded beaches - There are many beaches throughout Haiti that you can participate in activities or just relax. The island vibe is definitely present!

 

• Club Med - Haiti had a Club Med that closed in 1987, then reopened in 1997, but closed one year later. In 2006, it reopened again as Club Indigo, but was only operating half of the resort. In 2014, the resort was bought and signed a 20 year agreement as the Royal Decameron Indigo Beach Resort & Spa.

 

• Coffee and baseballs are Haiti's largest exports? That is half true today. I did some research and according to the Economy Watch in 2010, coffee was still Haiti's largest export along with apparel, cocoa and mangoes.

 

• Diving tourist destination - I had to also do research on this as I am not familiar with scuba diving in Haiti. According to Diviac travel, Haiti is a pristine, untouched hotspot for diving, but rarely visited.

 

• Airlines - in 1983, only 4 airlines flew into Haiti (Air Florida, Air France, American Airlines and Eastern Airlines), but now there are several options from numerous airports that fly into 2 airports in Haiti. Click here for more on how to travel to Haiti.

 

• Baggage tips - You will notice that when you arrive or leave the Aéroport Toussaint L'Ouverture Airport (PAP) in Port-au-Prince, baggage handlers definitely don't expect .50 cents per bag as a tip these days! They will try to carry your bags and then ask you for a big tip after. If you don't actually need help with your bags, don't let them help you. Or if they do help you, give a tip, but never give the $20 they sometimes ask for.

 

• Electricity - It's definitely sparse in most areas, turning off and on at any given time without notice, unfortunately. All of the hotels have generators so there's nothing to worry about there, however, not all residents have generators and/or gas to run them.

 

• American Express travel arrangements - I was curious to see if they still offer travel arrangements to Haiti and although there's no specific tour or mention of Haiti, if you are an eligible card member, an agent can help you arrange flights and hotels to Haiti.

​After reading through all of these similarities and differences, you must be even more curious about travelling to Haiti! I promise it will be a trip of a lifetime. Go explore and see The Real Haiti! If you've been to Haiti, drop a comment below on what you noticed that was the same as 1983!

Some think it's a shithole, others know it's not!These absolutely stunning photos were shot in northern Haiti by Photographer Hunter Kittrell. Thank you so much for sharing with us for our blog. 

He is doing a phenomenal job on showing the other side of Haiti. Beautiful work!

Please follow Hunter on Instagram at hunter.kittrell.
His website is http://www.hunterkittrellphoto.com. 

Here's the video...enjoy :) 

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.

Our visit with the First Lady!

Greetings!

Haiti's First Lady Sophia Martelly called a couple weeks ago to invite Yvonne and I to a private meeting at the National Palace. The next day we purchased a French bible as a gift and presented ourselves at the Palace. We were immediately ushered into a conference room and served coffee; before we finished, we were told Madame Martelly was ready for us.As we entered the First Lady's office she greeted us with a big smile and said, "I've got to hug you guys; I love you so much!" We spent hours chatting; she asked me, "How did you come to Haiti? Why did you start producing La Bonne Nouvelle?"  She said that she has been watching the show for years and loves the format of visiting different villages and featuring the beauty of Haiti. 

She also confided that when she called, she did not think I believed it was her; I confessed, "When you said 'This is the First Lady of the Republic'. I thought, 'Yeah, and I'm the Pope!'" We all laughed heartily and I asked Yvonne to share the word God had given her concerning the relentless opposition to Haiti's beloved President.

Chosen by God
  
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 2SA3:1

Madame Martelly read the text in her new bible, Yvonne explained the animosity between Saul and David; but that God ordained David and he won in the end. The First Lady's eyes welled; she rubbed goose bumps on her arm and said, "Wow! Wow!" I said, "We do not want to take up all your time." She said, "Oh no, I cleared my entire schedule for this. I hope you don't mind if we get some pictures."The presidential photographer was summoned; then she walked us out and said, "I want you to meet the President. I showed him La Bonne Nouvelle and he said, 'Where did this white guy come from?'"
Learn More...

Fan & Friend

She led us to another building where the President had just met with a Taiwanese delegation, and was now doing a photo op with a Haitian soccer team.  As we entered the room, photographers, security guards and soccer players called out, "Frere Joel! Pasteur!"  The President walked over, threw his arms around me and said, "La Bonne Nouvelle!"  Cameras clicked, laughter filled the room as President Martelly quoted lines from our show he watched the day before! The Premiere Dame then accompanied us to the parking lot and said that she wanted to use La Bonne Nouvelle in 140 remote villages! She gave me her card and said, "Call me anytime".
La Bonne Nouvelle...

You can help

Every Creole Christian show we produce costs us about $3000.00; Yvonne directs, films and hosts! I produce, film, host, drive and edit! Though our work is tightly budgeted,we are reaching millions of Haitians. Now even more will hear as the First Lady airs our shows in villages without electricity or TV!
We have no sponsors, no big donors, no advertising; but we are reaching into homes and hearts that will never grace the doorway of a church. Please pray and ask God what He would have you to give to help us reach Haiti for Christ. Please use this secure donation button and write to us today. The rewards are eternal!
 Soul winners...

Some people ask me why I have The Real Haiti. Some tell me to open my eyes, that I am being taken advantage of by offering too much info/resources. Some ask me how will I ever make money. 

Going to Haiti is always an experience to learn, appreciate and envy for me. I learn that what I used to think is untrue. I appreciate things that I have/grew up with. I envy the simple life, the culture and the family bonds that Haitians have. All of these experiences have changed me as a person....for the better.

I don't do this to get ahead, to impress anyone or to get rich. I experience things unbelievable to my previous judgements of a country misrepresented. I do it to educate others. I do it so that my children one day will have an archive of info different to the ones they will see on TV.

Here are some of my favorite moments in Haiti...

July 12 - West Palm Beach event to raise $ to send school supplies to Haiti
This event is for both art lovers and W.A.T.C.H supporters! 
Artist JaFleu will be hosting "THERAFLEU" his solo Exhibit Opening Reception and all proceeds will go to What About The Children in Haiti?

Come out for a night of fun with performances by The Rapper Blaine, Durell, Celo J' Adore and bring the entire family.Music by DJ Da Nurse (Endy from The Real Haiti)! 

We are asking for a $5 donation at the door. All proceeds will benefit the children at the orphanage Organizasyon Secours d' Enfants in Haiti. 

Those of you who pledged to Donate backpacks to our Small Blessings in a Backpack event may do so at this event! 
RSVP NOW to the FB event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/529755890415470/

CONTACT 
561.291.9924
info@watch-now.org
www.watch-now.org 

If you can't make it, but want to still help, please consider donating a backpack full of supplies! THANK YOU! MESI ANPIL!