AUTHENTIC GAMES, SONGS + ACTIVITIESIf you’re tired of only finding info related to natural disasters, poverty or orphans, then you're in the right place! We love the spirit of Haiti and enjoy teaching kids about it. Instead of kids growing up hearing the sad parts about Haiti, they now have the tools to learn about the fun parts!
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Published by a Haitian-American dad and American mom of 2 boys.
THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU
STAND UP FOR HAITI AND DO BETTER
With The Real Haiti Workbook, You'll Learn:
✔ Haiti is as interesting as any other place that we are unfamiliar with
✔ Haitian people live and love the same way as everyone else
✔ Haitian traditions passed down fun games and activities to do anywhere
✔ No matter the challenges, Haitian people live and breathe pride
✔ Haitian food, art and dance customs
✔ Haiti is as interesting as any other place that we are unfamiliar with
✔ Haitian people live and love the same way as everyone else
✔ Haitian traditions passed down fun games and activities to do anywhere
✔ No matter the challenges, Haitian people live and breathe pride
✔ Haitian food, art and dance customs
WHY WE MADE THIS TOOL
Endy grew up in Haiti with a joyful childhood filled of memories with family and friends. On those nights with no electricity, they found fun things to do like tell stories, play riddle games or throw some dice with one another. If they didn't have a new game to play, they would make it up. Growing up with what people would say "nothing," he believed that he had it all...Until he came to the United States as a teenager.
Imagine the day. He walks into his ESL class, greeted by his kind teacher who was not Haitian. Naples, Florida isn't a place unfamiliar to Haitian people, so his teacher already had some subconscious beliefs about who he was or how he would perform. But the students didn't. There were students from many different countries who spoke many different languages in this ESL class. Some of them never even heard of Haiti or met anyone from Haiti before. Overtime they learned to communicate in English, but when Endy started hanging with the native English speaking students, he started to hear things like...
Did you come over on a boat?
Did you have shoes growing up?
Huh? Where is Haiti?
Did you survive the last hurricane?
And immediately he was confused. He thought to himself, why are these kids asking me these weird questions? Where did they get these ideas from? He reflected quickly back on his fun childhood and was in disbelief...If I have Haitian culture engrained in me that I love so much with joyful memories, then...
Imagine the day. He walks into his ESL class, greeted by his kind teacher who was not Haitian. Naples, Florida isn't a place unfamiliar to Haitian people, so his teacher already had some subconscious beliefs about who he was or how he would perform. But the students didn't. There were students from many different countries who spoke many different languages in this ESL class. Some of them never even heard of Haiti or met anyone from Haiti before. Overtime they learned to communicate in English, but when Endy started hanging with the native English speaking students, he started to hear things like...
Did you come over on a boat?
Did you have shoes growing up?
Huh? Where is Haiti?
Did you survive the last hurricane?
And immediately he was confused. He thought to himself, why are these kids asking me these weird questions? Where did they get these ideas from? He reflected quickly back on his fun childhood and was in disbelief...If I have Haitian culture engrained in me that I love so much with joyful memories, then...
WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE A NEGATIVE VIEW ABOUT HAITI AND HAITIAN PEOPLE?
Who This Is For:
✔ Haitian-American parents (Creole speaking or not) who want to teach their children or family about their roots and cultural identities ✔ Adoptee families who want to keep their kids culture ✔ Parents from all backgrounds looking for cultural awareness and diversity ✔ Homeschoolers or teachers, including ESL (English as a second language teachers), looking for culture in the classroom tools ✔ Travelers preparing to go to Haiti, especially with children ✔ Students who immigrated from Haiti who are learning English and can be proud of their background, instead of feeling like they don't belong You do not need to be a Creole speaker to use this great teaching tool! |
Most people believe this school of thought...
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. If you don't know, then you don't know, right? How would you if all you've ever seen on the news is negative images and bad weather reports? Today, parents and teachers are a lot more conscious about institutional racism and limiting beliefs of their own because of the current injustices that we see each day. But it's kind of hard to teach about Haiti when all you find on Google is sensationalism. Or, you may believe this school of thought: Haiti is too rich to be poor. Rich?...rich in culture, that is! Either way, there's only truth to whatever perception that you believe. But if you want to see the hidden gems of Haiti, play fun games and have an open mind to learn more, then the Let's Learn About Haiti workbook is for you! You finally have a tool that helps you start the conversation about a place that is worthy of knowing about. Then you can share with others about The Real Haiti! This is exactly what happened with Diana. She refused to go to Haiti until her husband convinced her. Then her world flipped upside down, opened her eyes and now she shares about the other side of Haiti. |
WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE 3 THINGS TO FOCUS ON:
If you're a parent, teacher, or anyone trying to find info about Haiti, cultural differences and diversity inclusion values need to be taught to children.
Acknowledge that we are all are different, but we are all the same
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Ask questions and introduce the concept of culture
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Talk about your 'way of life' isn't the only or best way
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diana and Endy Pierre-Louis are a husband and wife team who live in Florida with their two boys. Over a decade ago, Endy asked Diana to go to Haiti, his homeland that he spoke so fondly of. After much hesitation, Diana agreed (still with some hesitation). It was then that her eyes and mind were opened wide about the other side of Haiti that isn't often talked about. She couldn't keep it to herself though. She came back talking about it non-stop, sharing stories and beautiful photos with everyone. Then, The Real Haiti blog was born where she wrote and shared about her own experiences in Haiti. While they continued to share the beauty of Haiti, The Real Haiti became much more than sharing pretty pictures.
In 2012, they were selected as winners of the former Minister of Tourism's rebranding contest with the slogan, "Experience It" or "Se La Pou'w La!" They were even recognized by former President Michel Martelly and attended a special ceremony to launch the official logo and slogan. Pretty cool to make Haitian history, but even cooler that the couple can stand up for something we believe in so passionately about.
Diana has spent years researching, developing and designing learning materials about Haiti that Creole speakers and non-Creole speakers can use to open up the conversation of culture and diversity to children. Now parents of two young boys, real-life situations come up that remind them why teaching their kids the topics of diversity, inclusion and acceptance is so important. The day that their oldest son came home and asked why his skin is brown and mommy's isn't, was the day that Diana decided to take The Real Haiti from an adult learning blog, to include kids info, too!
In 2012, they were selected as winners of the former Minister of Tourism's rebranding contest with the slogan, "Experience It" or "Se La Pou'w La!" They were even recognized by former President Michel Martelly and attended a special ceremony to launch the official logo and slogan. Pretty cool to make Haitian history, but even cooler that the couple can stand up for something we believe in so passionately about.
Diana has spent years researching, developing and designing learning materials about Haiti that Creole speakers and non-Creole speakers can use to open up the conversation of culture and diversity to children. Now parents of two young boys, real-life situations come up that remind them why teaching their kids the topics of diversity, inclusion and acceptance is so important. The day that their oldest son came home and asked why his skin is brown and mommy's isn't, was the day that Diana decided to take The Real Haiti from an adult learning blog, to include kids info, too!