[Haitireport] Educational Delegations to Haiti
Melinda Miles
Here are two opportunities to visit Haiti offered by Konbit Pou Ayiti/
KONPAY and our partners. Please feel free to share this information.
1. Delegation Investigating International Aid to Haiti, April 1-9, 2006
2. It's not too late! Whether you're an artist or not, join us for
Carnival and the International Artists Retreat in Jacmel, February 20
- March 1, 2006
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HAITI WATCH announces:
Delegation Investigating International Aid to Haiti
April 1 9, 2006
The situation in Haiti continues to be volatile. Nearly two years
after the removal of the constitutional government, no elections have
been held. The de facto embargo on international humanitarian
assistance that began in 2000 has ended and funding is once again
flowing into the country, yet Haiti has descended into an even
greater economic crisis. Each rainstorm brings tragedy to villages
in deforested mountain areas and poverty has intensified in urban
areas where market women sell patties made of dirt and salt to ease
hunger.
The delegation will gather information about:
- Multilateral institutions, countries and agencies funding
development in Haiti;
- Contractors, government ministries or other entities
receiving this funding, and projects already underway;
- International funding priorities in light of Haitis current
situation and Haitian articulated development priorities; and
- The impact of hurricane relief in the wake of several
devastating storms.
Special focus will be placed on health and the environment. Haiti has
the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in the western
hemisphere and the highest maternal and infant mortality rates. The
rapid deforestation and consequent erosion of Haitis mainly
mountainous terrain has left Haiti with less than 1% of its original
forest cover. Haitians health and the deterioration of their
environment are inextricably linked.
ITINERARY may include:
- Meetings with representatives of international financial
institutions (IFIs) and U.S., EU and Canadian aid agencies.
- Field trip to assess the impact of hurricane relief (location
to be determined).
- Tours of state-run public health facilities and dialogue with
Haitian health professionals.
- Interviews and meetings with community groups, organizations
and cooperatives.
The delegation will begin with an orientation and background
materials will be provided. Security is a major concern, so Haiti
Watch will maintain an open discussion about potential risks.
Participants will sign a waiver, accepting responsibility for what
might happen while they are in Haiti with this delegation. Throughout
the delegation, we will have an on-going discussion about
international activism and how individuals and organizations can get
involved, back in North America, in doing and supporting work in
favor of justice, equality and a healthy environment in Haiti.
COST of the delegation is $1100 for in-country expenses, which
includes 3 meals a day, lodging, all in-country transportation,
translation, coordination and honorariums for community-based groups
the delegation meets with. Participants are responsible for their own
round-trip travel to Port-au-Prince (visit www.aa.com for lowest
prices).
CONTACT: Melinda Miles, Mel...@konpay.org or Anne Sosin,
aso...@gmail.com to request an application or more information.
*HAITI WATCH is a collaboration of Konbit Pou Ayiti/KONPAY and Vizyon
Dwa Ayisyen/VIDWA. Visit www.konpay.org for more information.
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Jacmel International Artist Retreat
Come celebrate Haitis carnival with the Centre de Formation
Artistique de Jacmel (CFAJ), an artist-run cooperative in the home of
Haitis folk art tradition and the capitol of its carnival festivities!
The Jacmel International Artist Retreat exists to encourage
international exchanges and to raise support for the CFAJ art
center. This years delegation offers educational panels, art
sessions, and fun excursions. KONPAY invites input from participants
and implements every possible delegation request. Interpreters and
guides are included with all activities and accommodations are
provided by the Cyvadier Hotel in Jacmel (www.hotelcyvadier.com).
There is music, Carnival... The surf pounds; the flowers bloom.
Governments change, but Jacmel remains the same.
~ Carole Cleaver, The New Leader
Panel Discussions:
Intro to Haiti, with the commentary: Experiencing History as an Artist
The meanings of carnival - artists, community leaders, historians
Slideshow of prevalent carnival art
Vodou: The Culture & Spirit of Haitian Art
Activities:
Trip to Bassin Bleu waterfall
Time to work on your own art
Beach party
Interactions:
Sessions with the women, men and youth artists of CFAJ
Face painting at the carnival stand
Papier-mbche creation for CFAJ
Tree planting with the MEPE Youth Movement for the Environment
Konbit Pou Ayiti/KONPAY
(Working Together for Haiti)
We are a Haitian-American non-governmental organization based in
Haiti. Our mission is to strengthen existing Haitian organizations,
build local and national networks and create relationships between
individuals in the U.S. and Haiti.
KONPAY focuses on Haitian solutions to environmental, social and
economic problems and provides training and funding to grassroots and
community-based projects. KONPAY coordinates educational trips for
those interested in an exchange with the staff of our partner
programs. For more information about KONPAY and our programs, please
visit our website at konpay.org.
Contact Elise Hansen for information about KONPAY and the
International Artist Retreat at 978-335-2758, or el...@konpay.org.
Delegation Dates: February 20-March 1, 2006
In-Country Cost including airfare from Port-au-Prince to Jacmel:
$850.00
You can lower your total cost by: pricing international airline
tickets and buying them early, staying at our approved Guest House
instead of the hotel, and staying for one week instead of two.
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