[Stephanie Balmir-Villedrouin] said the site of the village is known for its historic values to Haiti "and the idea is to create another form of attraction and give a value to the visitors when they go to the destination".
The study found that Creole and French-language media in Miami have a significant dual function for the Haitian community, "fostering societal cohesion and immigrant incorporation" while, at the same time, helping Haitians living in Miami to "keep informed about and participate in what is happening in Haiti." "We wanted to look at the Haitian media in greater Miami because the community is the largest Haitian community in the country and the second-largest national origin group in Miami Dade County, yet little is known about its media in the larger society." "In the first days of the catastrophe, they all went to English-speaking television, whether they could understand it or not," said Tsitsi Wakhisi, associate professor of Professional Practice in Journalism at the U.M. School of Communication and another co-author of the report. "The people were looking for on-the-ground coverage, while using their cell phones to try to reach people in Haiti. Once American networks stopped their coverage, they relied on Haitian media."
Poverty and suffering are nothing new to the brave Haitian people. They have survived the hellish reign of the murderous dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier and, later, his son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Dulavier. They have lived through the nightmare of one military coup after another, barely existing at lower than subsistence levels. They have had to pay ransom money to France because they dared to fight for their freedom.
Dr. Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and founder of the Haiti Support Project, has announced that the Pilgrimage of Hope Humanitarian Cruise to Haiti originally scheduled for Oct. 310, 2011 is being postponed until January of 2012. As originally stated, "For the Love of Haiti: Pilgrimage of Hope Cruise is envisioned as a "rollup-our-sleeves project," a heartfelt effort to lift the spirits of the Haitian people by making a contribution to building the new Haiti. HSP also hopes to link faith-based institutions and civic-minded organizations from the U.S. with various projects, organizations, and initiatives in Haiti to provide ongoing support for the reconstruction process after the Cruise.
With the rainy season creating additional strife in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, BET founder and business mogul Bob Johnson is bringing new hope to the Caribbean nation. Johnson's investment company, RLJ Companies, partnered with Global Building Solutions following the January natural disaster to develop mass housing and now has new plans to bring work and financial assistance to Haiti.
"The National Black McDonald's Operators Association is honored to contribute to the Haiti relief effort," said Rita Mack, Chair and CEO of The National Black McDonald's Operators Association. "As Haiti enters a time of rebuilding, we McDonald's operators, including McDonald's Hispanic Operators Association, as a collective recognize that there are great needs and that additional assistance is warranted, augmenting' what McDonald's as a corporation has given toward Haiti relief efforts."
Defender Staff Report Representing more than 1,400 McDonald's restaurants throughout the United States with annual sales collectively exceeding $3.2 billion, the National Black McDonald's Operators Association recently announced a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross for its continual Haiti relief efforts.
The head of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Alejandro Mayorkas, says his agency can't eliminate its fees, but it has the power to waive them for people who can prove they are poor. He has promised that his employees will treat applicants with a "generosity of spirit." This would be a refreshing change for an agency notorious for bureaucrats expert in finding a way to say no.
While helping applicants take their place on the line, Richard Champagne, current President of the Haitian Lawyers Association (HLA)stated, "This is an opportunity for the HLA and participating attorneys to give back to our community. Haitian immigrants have been suffering for a long time, and after the Obama administration granted TPS, it was our duty to assist. It has been a great opportunity to partner with the city of North Miami, given the concentration of Haitian nationals in the city.
