Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 22 mai 2025

Aventura Library's Flag Day Celebration Literary Event

More than fifty people participated in the Haitian Flag Day celebration at the Aventura Library this last Saturday, May 17, 2025. The attending audience was well entertained by the many Haitian authors present at the auditorium. Gifted authors like Daniel Bayard, Patrick Louis, Margareth Papillon, Lyonel Gerdes, Alexandra Jeanty Leclerc, Mireille Sylvain-David, Irsa Vieux, Maryse Denis, Bito Dvid, and Jan Jak Stephen Alexis were at the scene each taking turns to talk about their books with the audience.

Live background music was provided by Ernst Registre, the maestro of Twoybajazz with Garry Metayer and Wolly Saint-Louis Jean as special guest singers at the celebration. Audience participation was quite noticeable through the dynamic Q&A exchanges from the crowd. The event was livestreaming by Harold. Patric Ellancy and Severe Kyrenios from Island T.V. were among the audience filming and interviewing the Haitian authors. In all, it was a successful Flag Day celebration at the Aventura Library.

Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center (TLCC) in the heart of Boston

 As we proudly welcome Haitian Heritage Month https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_Heritage_Month, we invite you to join us on Tuesday May 20th for the long-awaited Grand Opening of the Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center (TLCC), in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts.

Named in tribute to the life and legacy of Toussaint Louverture, the visionary leader of Haiti’s revolution (born on May 20, 1743), TLCC will celebrate Haitian heritage and the remarkable achievements of the first Black republic to gain its independence and abolish slavery. More than just a cultural center, TLCC will serve as a dynamic gateway to exploring and learning about Haiti’s extraordinary historical and cultural legacy, facilitate connections across communities, and celebrate all that Boston has to offer.

 On behalf of the TLCC Executive Committee, please join us, join the Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu, and the President of the Boston City Council Rutzhee Louijeune, and a host of special guests for this Grand Opening: Charlot Lucien.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM 131 Beverly Street, Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA (3 minutes walk from the North Station T Station  or TD Garden; steps away from Alcove Restaurant, 50 Lovejoy Wharf)

Mingle with fellow supporters of this historic milestone, explore vibrant art exhibitions, get a glimpse of Haiti’s rich history, and culture through some performances and presentations. We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you. Be a part of history!

Haitian singer F-MACK sets sights on becoming Mexico’s ultimate showman

Fermilus Mackenson Fils Lenor moved to Mexico to pursue his music dreams. Now, he’s blending Haitian jazz, soul and R&B with Latin flair—and releasing his debut album.

by Annika Hom May. 14, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

F-MACK performing at Tonal in Mexico City on April 11, 2025. Photo by Annika Hom for The Haitian Times.

Overview:

In Mexico City, Haitian singer F-MACK is chasing a dream sparked by watching Selena as a kid in Port-au-Prince. Blending gospel, jazz, R&B and Latin sounds, he’s building a name with help from mentors, collaborators and fans. Featuring insights from engineers, musicians and cultural leaders, this story charts his rise from church choirs in Haiti to headlining stages across Mexico.

MEXICO CITY— When Fermilus Mackenson Fils Lenor watched the movie “Selena” as a child in Port-au-Prince, he knew he wanted to be an entertainer. One scene stayed with him: Jennifer Lopez, portraying the late Mexican-American icon Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, takes the stage at a packed Mexican festival early in her career. The crowd is skeptical at first, but as Selena begins to sing “Como La Flor,” she wins them over. “‘Como La Flor,’” the Haitian star sang softly from his Mexico City apartment while speaking with The Haitian Times. 

“I saw it and said, ‘I want to be that.’”

That childhood dream has taken shape in unexpected ways. Now 35, Lenor—known professionally as F-MACK —performs across Mexico, where he’s building a loyal audience with a distinct sound that fuses R&B, soul, gospel, funk and Caribbean influences. His debut album, Gatear— Spanish for “to crawl” is expected later this year.

“I was right about my dream,” F-MACK said. “I just needed to perfect it.”

F-MACK  is a Haitian voice that has been reshaped in Mexico.

He moved from Haiti to the Mexican state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave six years ago to study at the prestigious Centro de Estudios de Jazz at Universidad Veracruzana. He now lives in Mexico City and has performed at major festivals, including Bahidorá in Las Estacas and Remind GNP in Guadalajara.

Many of his songs seamlessly switch between English and Spanish; some earlier ones are in French and Haitian Creole. His extended play (EP) RENACIDO—Spanish for “reborn”—features two rising tracks and is part of what he calls his artistic evolution. “Now the baby is crawling,” he said of his album provisionally named Gatear, which will be released this year, continuing the metaphor.

I was right about my dream. And I just needed to perfect it.

Fermilus Mackenson Fils  “F-MACK” Lenornormal

The new album incorporates more Latin and rock elements but stays rooted in his signature soulful fusion. “My songs improve as I improve as an artist,” F-MACK said.

His collaborators also include Mexican musicians and writers. One crowd favorite, “A Huevo,” uses a slang term loosely meaning “let’s go!” to capture the spirit of F-MACK’s cultural crossover.

 “I just make a song, honestly. This is my Spanish, this is my English—do you like it?” F-MACK said.

From Port-au-Prince churches to the stage in Mexico

F-MACK grew up in a modest household in Port-au-Prince, where his mother owned a restaurant and his father worked in construction. His musical foundation came early—he was singing before he could talk, his mother said, and learned to harmonize with friends in the Haitian capital to Celine Dion ballads.

At 17, he joined a Christian choir after auditioning with Britney Spears and Mariah Carey songs. Gospel music taught him vocal discipline and showmanship.

When he was older, the maestro of the Haitian group Hallelujah Gospel discovered F-MACK during an event and told him to audition. It was a performance that even surprised him. 

“Suddenly, I was discovering I was special,” he said, recalling a breakthrough performance of “Jesus, You’re Everything to Me” at age 19.

After failing to get into Haiti’s École Nationale des Arts (ENARTS) in 2001, he tried again—and was accepted the next year to study classical music. That discipline would shape his professional path.

He wants to be a frontman. When he steps onto the stage, he becomes somebody else.

 Diego Zumaran, F-MACK’s sound engineer and production managernormal

In 2012, a bassist invited F-MACK to front a combo at the PAPJAZZ festival, Haiti’s annual jazz celebration gathering various global celebrities of the music world. There, he saw Haitian jazz singer Mélanie Jean Baptiste Charles perform a scat solo, and after connecting with her after the show, she gave him his first scat lesson. 

“I was in love with her [artistry]. I wanted to do what she was doing,” F-MACK said.

That same year, he met traditional musician Camil Meseguer Rioux of the Mexican band Sonex. Years later, F-MACK reached out, looking for a way to leave Haiti and expand his music career. Rioux welcomed him to Veracruz and introduced him to the jazz program that would change his life.

Rioux still remembers the first time he heard F-MACK sing. “He hit an incredibly high whistle note,” the founder of Sonex told The Haitian Times.

Open letter to the United Nations: Haitians need help now | Opinion

Daniel Jean-LouisMay 8, 2025 10:52

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Armed gangs continued to sow chaos in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince. More than 60,000 Haitians have been displaced in the past month. Jounny Fils-Aime Johnny Fils-Aime

The simmering conflict between gangs and the Haitian police last month boiled over into the streets of Kenscoff, a mountainous town southeast of Port-au-Prince known for its cool climate, vibrant agriculture and close-knit communities. Long a peaceful, highland retreat, Kenscoff is now the latest front in Haiti’s escalating crisis.

Early on Sunday, April 20, gangs ambushed a police vehicle, killing four officers. Two wounded survivors were rushed to Fermathe Hospital, run by the Baptist Haiti Mission (BHM), which has served the region since 1955, providing not only medical care but a critical community lifeline.

I currently serve as president of BHM, where I oversee the hospital and our scholarship program, which this year is educating 32,000 children — mostly from poor, rural families with few other options for formal schooling.

By late Sunday morning, gunfire reached the BHM campus. I feared the gangs might set the facility on fire, as has happened at other hospitals. We are the only care center in the region and one of the few still functioning in the country.

With no other recourse, I turned to social media. I posted an open letter on X addressed to the Transitional Presidential Council, Haiti’s de facto government. The post was widely reshared and, remarkably, helped spur action.

By Monday, the Haitian National Police had regained control of Fermathe and restored a fragile peace — at least for now.

That same Monday, the United Nations Security Council held its latest briefing on Haiti. Watching it felt like observing a roomful of doctors debate treatment options while a patient bleeds out on the table.

According to the UN’s top official in Haiti, the country is nearing “total chaos.” Yet Security Council members fell back on familiar talking points: the United States’ expressed concern about the “significant financial burden” of intervention, while China criticized U.S. failures to properly enforce an arms embargo.

It’s striking how much the UN’s past mistakes in Haiti — most notably thedevastating cholera epidemic introduced by peacekeepers — have stifled its will to act. Rather than risk repeating errors, they’ve chosen to do nothing.

So they debate while Haiti burns. Meanwhile, more people die.

Sometimes I wonder whether the world simply doesn’t understand how bad things have gotten, or if they’ve just stopped paying attention.

In the absence of law, gang atrocities have escalated beyond words. The horrors I’ve seen and heard defy expression. Every day of inaction allows further collapse — and makes future solutions more difficult and far more costly.

The time for discussion ended long ago. What Haiti needs now is action: The Security Council must authorize a new peacekeeping mission. At minimum, it should approve a UN Support Office to bolster the existing Multinational Security Support Mission.

At other times, I wonder if people do understand — but feel too overwhelmed to care. Maybe we’ve lost sight of what we’re actually fighting for.

I’m calling for intervention because I want my students to go to school safely and to dream freely.

Despite decades of instability and a collapsed state, many Haitian children still make it to class. We could get more of them to school tomorrow — if the police had the support to push the gangs back.

Life continues, even in chaos.

Parents still wash and press their kids’ uniforms. Older siblings guide younger ones across war-torn neighborhoods. Students still line up at the bell. They still say grace. They still wipe down their lunch tables. They still smile. They still hope.

They don’t need a perfect UN mission. They don’t need foreign saviors. They just need space to grow.

What Haiti’s youth need is enough security to go to school, to work, to vote.

The United Nations was founded on a promise —to protect life despite conflict, to safeguard the vulnerable, to uphold human dignity.

It was a promise to protect children. To protect the future.

I still believe Haiti’s children can rebuild their nation. The question is whether the world will help them do it.

Can the UN keep its promise?

Daniel Jean-Louis is president of the Baptist Haiti Mission.

France Acknowledges Devastating Effect of Debt Imposed on Haiti for Freedom

After two centuries, a contrite tone from President Emmanuel Macron, though no talk of reparations for French actions that thwarted the development of its former colony.

Published April 17, 2025Updated April 19, 2025

President Emmanuel Macron of France said on Thursday that it was time to “recognize the truth of history,” 200 years after King Charles X recognized the independence of Haiti but demanded that its former French colonists be paid an enormous sum for that freedom.

As a result, Haiti became the only country in the world where the descendants of enslaved people were forced over generations to compensate the descendants of their former colonial masters.

“This decision placed a price on the freedom of a young nation, which was thus confronted, from the moment of its constitution, with the unjust force of history,” President Emmanuel Macron of France declared.

Mr. Macron, who became president in 2017 and had not previously addressed in public the question of the debt, called for the establishment of a joint French-Haitian commission of historians to examine “two centuries of history, including the impact of the 1825 indemnity on Haiti.”

The commission will be led by Yves Saint-Geours, a French historian and diplomat, and Gusti-Klara Gaillard Pourchet, a Haitian scholar living in France.

“Once this necessary and essential work has been completed, the commission will submit recommendations to both governments with a view to learning lessons and building a more peaceful future,” Mr. Macron said.

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Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 19 mai 2025

Robert Prevost, of Haitian descent, becomes first US pope, takes name Leo XIV

Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois plays historic role in electing new pontiff

by The Haitian Times May. 08, 2025

Overview:

Robert Prevost, a Chicago native and longtime missionary in Peru, has been elected as the first pope from the United States, choosing the name Leo XIV. Among the electors was Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois, who made history as Haiti’s first cardinal to participate in the sacred conclave.

By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press | Additional reporting and editing by The Haitian Times

Update, May 9, 2025: The brother of Pope Leo XIV confirmed to The New York Times that Pope Leo XIV has Haitian ancestry through his maternal grandfather, who listed “Hayti” as his birthplace in U.S. census records. The pope’s family descends from Creole people of color in New Orleans, part of a broader migration that helped shape Black Chicago—where the pope was born in 1955. Joseph Martinez—Leo XIV’s grandfather—was born in Haiti and married in New Orleans in 1887.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV.

In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013.

Prevost had been a leading candidate for the papacy, but there had long been a taboo against a U.S. pope, given the country’s geopolitical power already wielded in the secular sphere. But Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he’s also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.

Pope Francis clearly had his eye on Prevost and in many ways saw him as his heir apparent. He brought Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. And in January he elevated him into the senior ranks of cardinals. As a result, Prevost had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals had.

The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers when white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave. Priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept as the crowd shouted “Viva il papa!”

Waving flags from around the world, tens of thousands of people waited to learn who had won and were shocked when an hour later, the senior cardinal deacon appeared on the loggia and said “Habemus Papam!” and announced the winner was Prevost.

He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.

The last pope to take the name Leo was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903. That Leo softened the church’s confrontational stance toward modernity, especially science and politics and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism.

Haitian participation in a historic conclave

Among those casting ballots to elect Leo XIV was Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois, bishop of Les Cayes and the first Haitian ever to take part in a papal conclave. His participation marked a historic milestone for Haiti, offering the Caribbean nation a voice in one of the Church’s most sacred decisions.

Langlois’ vote underscored the increasing representation of leaders from marginalized and underrepresented regions, including those like Haiti, which has long faced political instability and natural disasters. His role reflects the Church’s ongoing commitment to elevating voices from the global south, a shift championed by Pope Francis.

Pope Leo XIV’s election came on the second day of the conclave, which began after the death of Pope Francis last month. The conclave process followed centuries-old traditions, with cardinals writing their selections on paper ballots and sealing them in an urn before the votes were tallied.

Prevost succeeds Pope Francis, who was widely known for his efforts to modernize the Church and amplify the voices of poorer nations. Observers now watch closely to see how Leo XIV will continue or diverge from that path.

 April: Month of Haitian Choirs

https://youtu.be/VPUI3wRSUu0?si=BIsiNaRBp_Xdb3sE

The staff of the Weekly Bulletin of the National Center for the Haitian Apostolate Abroad has declared April the Month of Haitian Choirs. This is an opportunity for all of us to thank and recognize the tremendous work of our choir members within the Church and in our faith communities. Our choirs are truly a source of hope and a gold mine for our Church.

The ministry of our choir members helps many people develop a good relationship with God. Singing is always praying twice. We are often delighted to participate in a Eucharistic celebration with the fine performance of a good choir. Sometimes we arrive at Mass feeling very sad, tired, and with family problems and unpaid bills. A choir's song can help us clear our minds and place ourselves completely in God's hands.

The month of Haitian choirs will end  for us at Radio Télé Solidarité, which will run until May 25, 2025, the date of Haitian Mother's Day and the Haitian choir concert. Many of our choirs  are beginning to mobilize for this great evening of recognition and solidarity among choirs. The Radio Télé Solidarité studio is open for broadcasts with members of our choirs. Some of them are already over 40 years of existence  and play a very important role in our faith communities. We urge them to always be lights and role models within our faith communities.

Yes! It is good to express our joy and gratitude to God through song. This is one of the reasons why we will be holding a major concert with Haitian choirs on May 25th. Choirs from the 10 dioceses of Haiti and the diaspora are invited to sing for the glory of God in this concert of unity and solidarity among Haitian choirs. Finally, allow me to conclude with this verse from the prophet Isaiah:

 "Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon him; make known his deeds among the peoples; make mention of his great name! Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things; let them be known throughout all the earth!" (Isaiah 12:4-5)

 Brother Tob

Phone: 631-334-7494

Email: Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

IDB boosts Cap-Haïtien hospital funding to $100M amid Haiti’s healthcare collapse

During his visit to the northern city on May 7, the Inter-American Bank’s president, Ilan Goldfajn, also signed an agreement to revise the city’s $125 million water and facelift program amid questions over management and accountability

by Onz Chéry May. 09, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

During his visit to Cap-Haïtien, the capital city of the Northern Department, Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn announced Tuesday an increase in funding for the renovation and expansion of the city’s Justinien University Hospital from $85 to $100 million. Additionally, Goldfajn agreed to revisit a $125 million water, sanitation and hygiene project.

CAP-HAÏTIEN — The president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ilan Goldfajn, announced on Tuesday an increase in funds for the renovation and expansion project of Cap-Haïtien’s Justinien University Hospital from $85 million to $100 million. Goldfajn, invited by the Haitian government seeking a greater financial boost from the multinational bank, made this commitment on behalf of the institution during his four-day stay in Cap-Haïtien. The head of the IDB also signed an agreement for a revised $125 million program focused on water supply and improving sanitation and hygiene conditions in the city.

“We’re happy to announce that we’re increasing the program’s budget from $85 to $100 million to strengthen health services in Haiti’s North,” Goldfajn posted on X about the funding for Justinien University Hospital’s (HUJ, per its French acronym) renovation and expansion project. 

“There are challenges, but we are partnering for the benefit of the people of Haiti.” 

The project’s first phase will consist of revamping the hospital’s emergency and surgical rooms. Then, the officials will proceed with renovating and expanding other areas. Goldfajn added that the IDB is also helping provide healthcare services for over a million Haitians.

Founded in 1890, the JUH is one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Haiti. However, this center, which welcomes hundreds of medical students for internships annually, is nearly devoid of resources. Poor working conditions, inadequate management, a lack of equipment and a series of strikes in recent years have destabilized the hospital and endangered patients’ health. Often, healthcare workers do not treat patients unless they pay for medical supplies upfront. Patients frequently crowd into the hospital, indicating a need for more space. 

Additionally, the hospital has only two restrooms, which are typically unsanitary, leading patients or their family members to urinate in the courtyard. Despite its importance, healthcare remains one of the many neglected sectors in Haiti’s dysfunctional system. 

Therefore, increasing funding for Cap-Haïtien’s main public hospital is a positive step forward, some residents say. However, Haitians fear that the project will either remain unfinished or fail to meet expectations, as seen in the past. 

For instance, despite a $35 million project financed by IDB to address the waste management problem in Cap-Haïtien, the issue remains largely unresolved. The IDB has also funded a drainage project in Cap-Haïtien, yet the city floods anytime it rains.

“Is it me, or do these things never start, finish, or just disappear after a while? “Or am I tripping?” Pierre Paul, a Detroit resident, said on May 7 about IDB’s projects in Haiti. 

IDB projects in Haiti worth $670 million over five years

Although many Haitians are dissatisfied with IDB’s work in Haiti, the bank has invested over $670 million in projects in the country over the past five years. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, it has proposed $243 million in grant resources. Approximately $140 million of this fund is designated for a youth skills program to address the gang recruitment problem and for rehabilitating the emergency room and surgical ward at the Cap-Haïtien hospital, according to a press releasefrom the financial institution.

As for the water, sanitation and hygiene program, Goldfajn stated that the goal is to bring clean water to over 130,000 households and strengthen essential services in both urban and rural areas in the north.

“Quite an impact!” Goldfrajn said. “We are adapting our work to Haiti’s fragile context and improving delivery.”

Goldfrajn has yet to provide further details on the hospital’s renovation and expansion, nor the region’s other projects financed by IDB. The institution has not replied to The Haitian Times’ interview request with Goldfrajn. 

Goldfrajn landed in Cap-Haïtien on May 7, and as of May 8, has visited Justinien University Hospital and École Mère Anne-Marie— a Catholic school where IDB is helping provide hot meals for students alongside the World Food Program (WFP). The IDB president also visited Caracol and Codevi, two industrial parks supported by the bank. He will visit the Hugo Chavez Cap-Haïtien International Airport to explore a possible expansion project there as well.

Providing jobs from the projects

Goldfajn also hopes the projects will help create jobs in Cap-Haïtien. On May 7, he discussed job creation with Transitional Presidential Council President Fritz Alphonse Jean and Finance Minister Alfred Metellus.

“Jobs mean more than income—they bring stability and strengthen communities,” Goldfajn remarked on his social media post. “This is why we are focused on enabling conditions: energy, skills, connectivity, and infrastructure. The IDB is honored to help bridge public policy and private investment to shape a recovery plan that delivers for Haitians.”

This marks the first time a multilateral development bank president has visited Haiti in years. According to the IDB press release, Goldfajn traveled to Haiti after the Haitian government invited him.

As hospitals close, ancestral leaf remedies sustain health and tradition in Haiti’s northeast

Rural Haitians turn to ancestral remedies, fueling a thriving trade that keeps traditional healing alive

by Edxon Francisque May. 06, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

In Haiti, the trade in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves is a centuries-old practice, deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the country. It meets both the health needs of the populations, who use these natural remedies to treat various problems, and their economic needs, by providing a source of income to many families.

FORT-LIBERTE—Madame Georges ‘Madan Jòj’ Joseph gathers a handful of fresh green leaves, inhaling their sharp, earthy scent, before gently returning them to the pile in front of her at the Ouanaminthe Communal Market, where she sits daily. In her hometown of Les Perches, about 18 miles from Ouanaminthe,  in Haiti’s northeastern region, the knowledge of using medicinal plants is more than tradition—it’s a way of life. ‘Madan Jòj’ is part of a generation that carries forward a cultural legacy built on the healing power of leaves. But she is only one among many.

In the open market, ‘Madan Jòj’ sits on her “ti chèz ba” creole for a low chair in a designated space for leaves known for their medicinal healing properties. Before her, a variety of leaves are laid out, with a constant flow of people coming and going.

“Most women come here to buy leaves for treating many ailments like cysts, fibroids, asthma and men buy leaves to treat men’s problems,” Joseph said, explaining how a lot of their customers can’t afford to pay for clinics or hospitals in Ouanaminthe. “And with all the hospitals closing, people are turning more and more to leaf remedies.”

“A person who knows and trades in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves can meet the many needs of people”

Exavier Milius, a father of 12 children and a lover of the leaves.
normal

With Haiti’s limited formal healthcare system, “remèd fèy” has long served as a vital alternative. Families turn to these plants for everything from stomach aches to respiratory infections—and even for boosting sexual vitality. Over generations, communities have transformed this ancestral knowledge into a thriving trade.

The doktè fèy—Creole for “leaf doctor”—is a respected healer who selects, prepares, and advises on medicinal plants, known as remèd fèy, used to treat a variety of ailments. Often farmers themselves, they either grow the plants or source them locally to craft traditional remedies. In their communities, these healers are trusted figures, called upon at any hour to offer care and guidance.

Jonathan Joazard, 79, is one such healer, part of a long line of doktè fèy in the region. He has been giving such advice since his younger years. Although blind now, Joazard still plays a vital role in preserving these ancestral practices. Locals continue to visit him for advice and plant-based remedies, as he is a living link to generations of this knowledge in Fort-Libertè.

“For those who know plants well, it is our biggest pharmacy that can cure everything,” Joazard, a natural plant and leaf healer and trader in Fort-Liberté. 

Across the region, dozens of hands—from farmers to pickers and vendors to processors and consumers—sustain the ancient medicine guide drawn directly from the land. The trade in medicinal plants is a crucial part of Haiti’s local economy, particularly in rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. For families like Madan “Jòj’, the income from selling these plants not only enhances their livelihoods but also supports the preservation of biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

Times.

Ancestral knowledge as Haiti’s unofficial pharmacopoeia

These rural ‘doktè fèy’ practitioners tap into ancestral wisdom to treat a wide range of ailments, using nature as both their pharmacy and guide. Their practice combines knowledge of medicinal plants, traditional rituals, and a profound spiritual connection to the natural world. From physical issues like fever, pain, and headaches to emotional struggles such as grief, stress, and mental distress, they offer personalized care that acknowledges the unique complexity of each individual’s health.

“I think nature gives us everything we need to stay healthy,” says Exavier Milius, a medicinal leaf enthusiast and father of 12 children

Many plants are prized for enhancing sexual health. Remedies made with Zo devan, jouk li jou, and bwa kochon are especially popular for boosting libido and performance naturally.

“These plants are a blessing for men who don’t want to waste their money,” says Belony Christella. 

“These leaves are like natural diamonds. You just have to find them and prepare them to work their magic.”

Belijan Augustin, a leaf seller at the Ouanaminthe Communal Marketnormal

“They’re a kind of prevention for those entering old age, and for others who don’t want to rely on chemicals,” adds Phaïca, a 28-year-old woman who uses the leaf-based remedies to enhance her partner’s vitality.

Among the most commonly used medicinal plants in the northeast are those like Lyann mòl, kase sèk, lyann legliz, fèy kowosòl, and lamitye. These plants help maintain good health during winter and spring, particularly for women and children who face persistent coughs. 

“These leaves are like natural diamonds. You just have to find them and prepare them to work their magic,” says Belijan Augustin, a leaf seller at the Ouanaminthe communal market.

Healers use a variety of plants to treat common ailments, with specific remedies for different health issues. For instance, plants like Kou barik, Bwa ti gason, and safran help alleviate pain, especially for older women dealing with joint pain or stomach discomfort during colder months. Others, such as bwa savan, pwa kongo frize, and chòché, are used to combat infections, while plants like fèy lougarou are sought after for their ability to help regulate hypertension and balance blood pressure.

Herbal teas are commonly used to treat ailments ranging from digestive to respiratory issues. Medicinal oils, made by macerating leaves in vegetable oils, are applied for massages, skin conditions, or aromatherapy. Ointments, created by mixing plant extracts with a fatty base like shea butter, target skin irritations, burns, and joint pain. Bottles, made with plant extracts and alcohol like kleren lakay, kleren Saint Michel, or kleren Gran Nò, are used for conditions such as premature ejaculation or stomach pain in older women. 

The marketing of medicinal plants

The growing interest in natural remedies has led to a significant increase in the commercialization of medicinal plants. Local markets and street vendors offer a variety of plants, ranging from popular species like moringa, lemongrass, and ginger to more region-specific varieties. This popularity stems from the power of the tradition of natural medicine, passed down over generations.

“People are becoming more aware of the benefits of natural remedies, and we are taking advantage of the opportunities this creates for those of us who collect and sell these plants,” Joseph said. 

“Nowadays, when I buy 10,000 HT Gds or $ US 76 of leaves, it does not last a week. I have to purchase more,” she said.

Medicinal plant trade: A vital link in Haiti’s economy and health

The trade in medicinal plants is a crucial part of Haiti’s local economy, particularly in rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. It involves various key players. Local farmers, the backbone of this industry, are producers and harvesters; they are the healers. They do not just sell raw plants; many of them also specialize in processing plants to create products such as infusions to treat. These plants are then sold to vendors, middlemen or women, or street sellers, some of whom also serve as traditional healers. Though informal and unstructured, this trade plays a vital role in both the economy and the well-being of the communities.

One crucial link in the supply chain is the processor, who transforms raw plants into products like infusions, essential oils, and concentrated extracts. While processing methods may vary, they typically rely on traditional techniques that preserve the plants’ natural properties.

 “With the leaves, avocado seeds, coconut oil, and makristi oil, I prepare oils to promote hair growth,” says Cherlande Honoré, a young woman from Ouanaminthe who specializes in producing hair oils. 

“We believe in quality to ensure the effectiveness of our products,” Honoré adds. “That’s why we do everything by hand, without chemicals.”

Besides individuals, local businesses and cooperatives are also involved in the processing of leaves into herbal teas, oils, or ointments, selling to consumers who look after these products for their health needs. 

“With the profits I make from selling medicinal plants, I take care of my family, pay my children’s school fees, and pay the rent,” said “Madan Jòj”.

“A person who knows and trades in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves can meet the many needs of people,”  Milius said.

As economic hardships deepen and formal healthcare options continue to shrink, the enduring trade in medicinal plants offers more than just remedies—it offers resilience. For vendors like Madan Jòj and the generations to follow, each handful of leaves carries centuries of wisdom, a connection to the land, and the hope that through nature, communities will continue to heal and thrive, one leaf at a time.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 10 mai 2025

Haitian woman dies while in ICE custody at Pompano Beach detention center | Breaking News

Marie Ange Blaise, 44, passed away April 25 at Broward Transitional Center; federal authorities investigating cause of death

by The Haitian Times Apr. 30, 2025

Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian woman, died while in federal immigration custody in Florida. She was being held at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach. The cause of death has not been disclosed and remains under investigation.

Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian national, died April 25 while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, ICE announced on Thursday.

She was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. by medical staff at the facility. The cause of death is under investigation.

Blaise had entered the United States without admission or parole at an unknown time and location, according to ICE. She was first encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Feb. 12 at the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, while trying to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Authorities issued Blaise a Notice of Expedited Removal the same day, citing her inadmissibility as an immigrant without a valid visa. Over the next two months, she was transferred multiple times between ICE facilities in Puerto Rico, Louisiana and finally Florida.

ICE officials said they notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility, as per policy. The Haitian Consulate in Miami was also informed via email, the agency said.

In accordance with congressional requirements, ICE said it will publicly release a full report on Blaise’s in-custody death within 90 days. A brief summary has been posted to the ICE public website.

Advocates have long raised concerns over the conditions and health care within ICE detention centers, particularly for Haitian migrants and asylum seekers. ICE has maintained that comprehensive medical, dental and mental health care is available to all people in its custody, including 24-hour emergency services.

USA : Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations 

The United States remains committed to protecting our national security interests and dismantling violent criminal gangs terrorizing the Haitian people. 

Today, the Department of State announces the designation of Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). 

• Viv Ansanm is a group formed in September 2023 as a coalition of gangs through an alliance between the two main gang factions operating in Port-au-Prince, G-9 and G-Pép.
• The groups provide a unified platform for criminal groups to use violence to destabilize Haiti and quash actions aimed at restoring state control. Viv Ansanm has launched coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure in Haiti, including prisons, government buildings, and Haiti’s main airport in Port-au-Prince as part of a campaign that, among other things, forced the resignation of former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
• Gran Grif is the largest gang in Haiti’s Artibonite department, a region that is home to much of the country’s rice fields. Since 2022, Gran Grif has been responsible for 80 percent of civilian death reports in Artibonite. Gran Grif has attacked Haitian National Police and the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, including in the February 2025 attack that killed a Kenyan MSS mission officer.

Terrorist designations expose and isolate entities and individuals, denying them access to the U.S. financial system and the resources they need to carry out attacks.

All property and interests in property of those designated today that are in the United States or that are in possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting business with sanctioned persons.

Persons, including American citizens, that engage in certain transactions or activities with these entities, or these individuals may expose themselves to sanctions risk. Notably, engaging in certain transactions with the organizations designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to counterterrorism authorities.It is a crime to knowingly provide material support or resources to these organizations, or to attempt or conspire to do so. Moreover, terrorist designations can assist law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies and governments.

Today’s actions are taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and Executive Order 13224, as amended. FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.

Petitioners requesting removal of those designated today from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List should refer to the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance page.

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (May 4, 2025)

Acts 5, 27-31 + 40-41; Ps. 30; Rev 5, 11-14; Jn 21, 1-19

Msgr. Pierre Andre Pierre

 Third Sunday of Easter. The last chapter of the Gospel of John takes us back to the sea of Galilee and tells us of the third appearance of the Resurrected Jesus to seven of his disciples, including Simon Peter.

 The Apostles are puzzled. On the one hand, having seen the Risen Lord with their own eyes, they joyfully proclaimed the miraculous event. But, at the same time, persecuted by the Pharisees and the Jewish courts, they felt like giving up and going back to their old trade. Peter appears as the leader of the group. The others follow him. They spend a whole night fishing, yet they catch nothing. They lack light. Not only the light of the sun, but also the light that is Jesus. At dawn, Jesus appears on the lake shore. He shouts to them: Cast your nest on the right side. They trust in Him. Surprise! A miraculous catch of fish. The nest is filled to the breaking point. A first lesson was taught: “Without me, you can do nothing.” They rush out to Him.

 Once on land, the meal takes place. Peter brings part of the freshly caught fish. It is, moreover, the fruit of everyone's work. Recognition takes place: they know, without question, that it is the Master. He distributes the bread and the fish, and the community that had dispersed after Christ's arrest is reestablished. But something remains to be done: for Peter to be convinced that he has been forgiven. 

 Peter’s three denials during Jesus’ Passion find three affirmations of affection at the apparition by the Sea of Galilee. Peter is asked 3 times, “Do you love me more than these?” Against the "no's," there are "yes's." It is a question of love. The love that Peter never lacked, even though fear overcame him at the moment of truth. At his successive positive answers, Jesus tells him, “Feed my lambs.” “Tend my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.” Jesus then announced Peter’s future martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel, concluding with the call “Follow me!” These words are addressed to Peter personally, not to the other apostles. When his faith has been reaffirmed, the time comes for him to be commissioned as the head of the group, of the nascent Church.

 From that moment on, the Apostles became fishers of men, fulfilling the Master's command, "obeying God rather than men." That small group progressively grew into a big church, thanks to the bold preaching of the witnesses of the resurrection. They transmitted the message of life that they had heard and seen. "The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree." Jesus is alive. He has given them his Spirit to strengthen them on their mission.

 We have just attended the funeral of Pope Francis, and the Church is preparing the conclave beginning this Wednesday, May 7, 2025, that will elect the new Pope. We continue to pray for the future of the Church. In this context, the liturgy presents us with the call of the first Pope, Saint Peter. Could it be just a coincidence? Or, rather, is it God's passing through our lives? Because He is always there, even if we sometimes struggle to see Him, and the Word always enlightens us.

 The Pope at the Vatican, in Rome, or at any place, is the successor of Peter. His mission is to preserve the unity of the Church. The twelve Apostles and their successors will have to proclaim the message of Jesus’s Salvation to the whole world, demonstrating God's love through their service and actions. They must remain united under One Head. The Church founded by Jesus can be marred by division, confusion, and rivalry, but Jesus’s presence and message of Unity and Love are the beacon of Unity.

The Official Newsletter of the Caribbean Studies Association

Balancing Duty with Serious Fun in St. Martin

Today, as we observe the turmoil caused by conflict and other global shifts, it is easy to become despondent, especially in the Caribbean, a space vulnerable to outside shocks. From increasing food insecurity, looming travel restrictions, and despot diplomacy by the US government, Caribbean leaders are challenged in unprecedented ways and are already bracing citizens for uncertainties ahead.

The region is already coping with challenges like climate crisis, brain-drain of some of most needed professionals like nurses and teachers, and increased (neo)colonialism. Recently, CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley referred to these as “the most challenging times of our region since the majority of our members gained their independence.” Mottley further urged Caribbean citizens to support each other and tap into the strength and innovation of the “common Caribbean spirit.” 

As academics, we too are duty-bound regardless to where we are currently stationed. I have argued before that it is not enough for us as to hope that our work will improve life for the peoples of the Caribbean, as optimism requires activism. Looking toward the next 50 years of CSA, I believe we must use our collective and individual talents to leave our region (and the rest of the planet) better than when we found it.  

I am looking forward to our time together at the conference when we can share solutions to challenges and further empower our people in the Caribbean and the diaspora. But I am also insisting that you fully partake in what we in St. Martin call serious fun.

Rhoda Arrindell
President CSA 2024-2025

At least 1,617 people killed in the first quarter of 2025 in Haiti

 Port-au-Prince, 30 April 2025: During the first quarter of 2025, the human rights situation in Haiti remained extremely worrying, marked by mass crimes, kidnappings and sexual violence.

 Between 1 January and 31 March 2025, at least 1,617 people were killed and 580 injured in violence involving gangs, self-defence groups and members of the population, as well as in operations carried out by security forces. At the same time, over the same period, at least 161 kidnappings for ransom were documented, 63% of which took place in the Artibonite department.

 The first quarter was marked by the intensification of the activities of criminal groups to expand their territorial influence in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings. The communes of Delmas and Kenscoff were particularly targeted, with the aim of destabilising Pétion-Ville. In addition, these same gangs carried out large-scale attacks against the communes of Mirebalais and Saut d'Eau, in the Centre department, to take control of roads leading to the Dominican Republic, but also to allow the escape of more than 515 inmates from the Mirebalais prison. 

 During the first quarter, the actions of self-defence groups as well as those of unorganized members of the population, carried out within the framework of the movement commonly known as "Bwa Kalé", remained a major source of human rights violations and resulted in the deaths of at least 189 people accused of belonging to gangs or committing ordinary crimes.

 The report expresses concern about the high number of people killed during security force operations. At least 802 people were killed in these operations, about 20% of whom were members of the population that were struck by stray bullets while on the streets or in their homes. In addition, there were 65 cases of summary executions allegedly committed by elements of the police and the government commissioner of Miragoâne.

 The report also highlights the serious consequences of gang activities on women and children. During this quarter, more than 333 survivors of sexual violence were identified, 96% of whom were victims of rape, often gang rape, perpetrated by gang members. In addition, at least 35 children have been killed and ten others have been injured in gang attacks, police operations or acts of mob justice. Many other children have been trafficked and forced to join gangs. 

 In the face of these abuses and human rights violations, and despite the continuing dysfunction of the judicial system, authorities have launched several initiatives to combat impunity, with the support of the United Nations. The Transitional Presidential Council and the government have adopted a decree creating specialized judicial units to deal with mass crimes, sexual violence and financial crimes. More than 114 rape cases have also been examined by investigating judges across the country. The fact remains that progress on emblematic cases remains slow, in particular those related to arms trafficking, the assassination of the President of the Republic and the various massacres documented since 2018.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 2 mai 2025

Dominican Republic detains pregnant Haitian women in hospital swoop

11 hours ago

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Many of the women arrested were pregnant and others had recently given birth

The Dominican Republic says it deported more than 130 Haitian women and children on the first day of a crackdown on undocumented migrants in hospitals.

Dominican authorities said 48 pregnant women, 39 new mothers and 48 children were removed on Monday.

The swoop is one of 15 measures announced by President Luis Abinader to cut the number of undocumented migrants in his country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. 

Abinader's government has been criticised for its harsh treatment of Haitian migrants, many of whom are fleeing the extreme gang violence in their country.

Those deported were taken to a detention centre to have their biometric data and fingerprints taken, before being handed to Haitian authorities at the Elías Piña border crossing.

The Dominican immigration department said the women and their children "were treated with dignity and given food".

Immigration officials added that those detained were taken to the border in buses "with padded seats, safety belts, air conditioning, curtains, CCTV cameras, bathrooms, and a luggage area".

Officials also said all were deported after they had been "discharged from hospital and there were no risks to their health".

However, the Dominican College of Physicians called the deportations "inhumane" and said that checking people's migratory status and detaining them in hospitals would lead to undocumented migrants being too afraid to seek urgent medical care.

At least half a million Haitians are estimated to live in the Dominican Republic, which has a population of 11m. 

One study suggests close to 33,000 Haitian mothers gave birth in Dominican hospitals last years. 

Many Dominicans complain of the additional strain on public services, including health.

President Abinader said earlier this month that his country's "generosity will not be exploited", and that public hospitals would be required to check patients' IDs, work permits and proof of residence.

He said that those not in possession of the necessary papers would be deported after being treated. 

The Dominican Republic has deported more than 80,000 people to Haiti in the first three months of this year, according to AFP news agency.

Rights groups have described the deportations as "cruel".

More than 5,600 people were killed in gang violence in Haiti in 2024 and many hospitals have had to close after being stormed by gang members. 

On Monday, the UN special representative to Haiti, María Isabel Salvador, warned that a recent surge in gang violence meant the country was approaching a "point of no return".

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER - Divine Mercy Sunday - April 27, 2025      

Act 5, 12-16; Ps 118; Rev 1, 9-11a +12-13+17-19; Jn 20. 29-31

Msgr. Pierre Andre Pierre

 Today, the first Sunday after Easter, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. On April 30, 2000, St. Pope John Paul II resorted to a revelation from Sister Faustina of Poland (Aug 25, 1905 – Oct 5, 1038) and instituted this feast for the entire Church. In a vision, she saw Jesus with two rays shining forth from the open wound on his side: a white ray symbolizing the healing river of grace flowing from the Risen Lord and a red ray signifying the blood of mercy pouring out from His Heart.

 We are urged to believe more intensely in the three key teachings of Divine Mercy Sunday. First: God’s love for each one of us is infinite. Second, Jesus' death on the Cross is above all an act of mercy. Third, we too must be Ministers of Mercy in the midst of this cruel world.

 Today’s readings (Acts, Rev., and John) give us a glimpse into the Christian community as it began to develop after Easter. We need to pay attention to the details. First, they were all united. It was necessary because they faced so much opposition. They were united, and they gathered to pray. In that, we are similar. We, too, pray together. In the days following the death of Pope Francis, and as we await the conclave to elect the new pope, all Catholics are also united in prayer for his eternal rest and the future of the Church. It's something felt throughout the world.

 The actions the Apostles performed were the same as those of Jesus: healing the sick, freeing the possessed, in short, helping people to be happy and free. Despite ongoing persecutions, the Christians maintained fidelity and perseverance to the Risen Lord, their King. It seemed that non-believers liked them and were sympathetic to them. This could be dangerous, since going against power and the mainstream of society has always been risky.

 In the apparition, the Risen Lord brings Peace to his Disciples. He gives them his Spirit and the Power to forgive sins. The Gospel speaks about the importance of community. Outside of it, Thomas cannot encounter the Risen Lord. Reunited with it, the encounter and confession of faith take place. Instead of fear and doubts about the presence of the Risen Lord, peace emanates from the Lord, the peace that even allows them to face death with harmony, as the martyrs do.

 The Gospel gives us the keys to understanding what it means to believe in the Master's resurrection. It is not a physical optical event, but something invisible to the eyes, yet accessible to those who have faith. Therefore, says Jesus: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." The resurrected, glorified body is not limited by space and time. It extends as far as the Spirit extends. It is present at the time when the Spirit is present.

 "What did the disciples see?" They saw what God allowed them to see, to contemplate "mysteriously" the reality of the risen Lord. The risen Jesus is not in one place, but in every place; He is not in one time, but in all times; He is not in one person, but in all people. All power in heaven and on earth has been given to him.

 Like the Disciples, we are invited to be bearers of Christ's peace, to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus, and to heal through our words and actions. If we ask, the Lord will grant it to us. Amen.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ira Paul Lowenthal, on April 23, 2025. Ira passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.
Ira was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather and friend. He was known for his quick wit, deep love of Haiti, passion for music, appreciation of good food and drink, and his ever-present enthusiasm for lively social gatherings and entertaining. Ira touched the lives of many through his work and friendship over the course of his rich and vibrant life.
Ira was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Alan Lowenthal and Doris Zinick. He graduated from Yale University and earned an advanced degree from Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a career in Anthropology and Ethnology.
Ira’s lifelong connection to Haiti began in childhood, sparked by his father Alan, a jazz drummer, who owned a set of Haitian drums stored in the basement of their New Jersey home. His interest and curiosity about Haiti and the Caribbean was further deepened by his professors Sidney Mintz and Richard Price. In 1972, Ira made his first visit to Haiti with his close friend Drexel Woodson. He immediately fell in love with the country and its people, ultimately choosing to make Haiti his home and the central focus of his academic and professional life.
From 1976 to 1980, Ira conducted fieldwork in Duverger, Haiti—research that culminated in the birth of his daughter and his doctoral dissertation, “Marriage is 20, Children are 21: The Cultural Construction of Conjugality and the Family in Rural Haiti.” Over the next four decades, Ira became a recognized expert on Haitian society and culture. He held numerous roles in humanitarian and development work with organizations such as USAID, the Inter-American Development Bank, and various NGOs.
A passionate collector and supporter of Haitian art and artisans, Ira—together with his then-wife, Alexis Gardella—opened Men Nou, a gallery in Pétion-Ville, Haiti. The gallery celebrated and promoted the work of local artists.
Ira is survived by his first wife, Clémène Adrien, mother of his only child, Alena Lowenthal; Clémène’s other children Bertha, Fritz, Guerda and Ariol; and his grandson, Imani-Hans Ngalame. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Ralph Cassagnol; his stepson, Owen Michael; his stepfather, Jerome Carp; and his siblings, Edward Carp and Wendy Gallo.

2025 Little Haiti Book Festival

Dear friend of the Little Haiti Book Festival,

We are thrilled to invite you to the 2025 Little Haiti Book Festival, an annual celebration of Haitian literature, culture, and community. This year’s festival takes place on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex in Miami. As one of our valued supporters, your presence as a VIP guest would be an honor and will help us celebrate the spirit of Little Haiti together in a memorable way.

The Little Haiti Book Festival is a vibrant, family-friendly event showcasing Haiti’s rich cultural heritage. Throughout the day, enjoy author readings, live music, cultural performances, and engaging activities for all ages. It’s a day to reconnect with what matters most – family, community, and culture – all while savoring the authentic sights, sounds, and flavors of Haiti in the heart of Miami.

Experience the LAKOU – Our New Communal Courtyard

This year, we’re especially excited to introduce LAKOU, a new open-air courtyard space inspired by the communal spirit of a traditional Haitian lakou (courtyard). We invite you to stop by the LAKOU area at any time during the festival to relax, mingle, and immerse yourself in an authentic Haitian experience. In the LAKOU, you'll find the atmosphere warm and welcoming – the perfect place to unwind between events or catch up with friends old and new.

Highlights of the LAKOU experience include:

• Authentic Haitian Cuisine: Savor delicious traditional foods from local Haitian vendors, bringing you the true flavors of Haiti.
• Full Bar: Enjoy a full bar offering refreshing beverages, including signature Haitian drinks, in a lively tropical ambiance.
• Family-Friendly Entertainment: Delight in puzzles, games, and interactive activities for children (and adults!) provided by our friends at Game Time Ayiti – ensuring fun for the whole family all day long.
• Community Gathering Space: An open courtyard setting where you can comfortably network and mingle with fellow VIPs, authors, and community leaders in a casual, festive environment that echoes the togetherness of a Haitian lakou.

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
• Time: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (drop in at your convenience)
• Location: Little Haiti Cultural Complex – 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami, FL
• Admission: Free (festival open to the public, all ages welcome)

We deeply appreciate your support and involvement in the Little Haiti Book Festival. Your presence makes a difference – it helps foster the sense of community and cultural pride that this festival is all about. Feel free to bring your family to share in the day’s festivities, explore the books and art, and of course, enjoy the LAKOU together.

Thank you for being a cherished part of our festival community. We look forward to celebrating with you on May 4th in the heart of Little Haiti. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

M.J.

MJ FIEVRE | READCARIBBEAN COORDINATOR
Miami Book Fair | Miami Dade College
Sosyete Koukouy of Miami, Inc.

954-391-3398

MiamiBookFair.com | MiamiBookFairOnline.com

@MiamiBookFair on FB, IG, and Twitter | #MiamiReads
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The mission of the Miami Book Fair is to engage our community through inclusive, accessible, year-round programs that promote reading and support writers throughout South Florida. 

Established in 1985, Sosyete Koukouy of Miami, Inc. is dedicated to preserving Haitian culture in the United States through education, arts, and cultural presentations. Our mission is preserving, perpetuating, and presenting Haitian cultural performances and exhibitions to Creole and non-Creole-speaking audiences. 

Haiti could face ‘total chaos’ without more global support, UN envoy warns

The UN’s top official in Haiti says gang violence could reach a “point of no return” without urgent international backing.

by AP News Apr. 23, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Haiti’s escalating gang violence could push the country into “total chaos” unless the international community urgently provides funding and support, UN envoy María Isabel Salvador warned at a Security Council briefing on Monday.

The top U.N. official in Haiti sounded an alarm to the U.N. Security Council on Monday that escalating gang violence is liable to lead the Caribbean nation to “a point of no return.”

María Isabel Salvador warned that “Haiti could face total chaos” without increased funding and support for the operation of the Kenya-led multinational force helping Haiti’s police to tackle the gangs’ expanding violence into areas beyond the capital, Port-Au-Prince.

Most recently, she said, gangs seized the city of Mirebalais in central Haiti and during the attack over 500 prisoners were freed. It was the fifth prison break in under a year, “part of a deliberate effort to entrench dominance, dismantle institutions and instill fear.”

Haiti’s police, supported by the armed forces and the Kenya-led force, were overwhelmed by the scale and duration of the violence, the U.N. special representative said.

The gangs have grown in power since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and are now estimated to control 85% of the capital and are moving into surrounding areas. Haiti has not had a president since then.

The U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police arrived in Haiti last year to help local authorities quell gang violence, but the mission remains understaffed and underfunded, with only about 40% of the 2,500 personnel originally envisioned.

Salvador said that in February and March alone, 1,086 people were killed and 383 injured. In addition, according to the U.N. migration office, over 60,000 Haitians were displaced in the past two months, adding to 1 million already displaced by December. “These figures are expected to rise,” she said.

Earlier this month, the leader of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, Fritz Alphonse Jean, tried to allay surging alarm among Haitians over the rampant gang violence by acknowledging that the country has “become hell for everyone.” He promised new measures to stop the bloodshed.

But Salvador, who heads the U.N. political mission in the country, said the Haitian government’s efforts alone will be insufficient to significantly reduce the intensity of the violence perpetrated by criminal groups.

In February, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said he would ask the Security Council to authorize funding for the structural and logistical expenses of the Kenya-led mission from the U.N. budget.

But there are no signs that the 15-member council plans to address this request any time soon.

“Without timely, decisive and concrete international assistance, the security situation in Haiti may not change,” Salvador warned. “Haiti could face total chaos.”

Kenya’s national security adviser, Monica Juma, told the council in a video briefing from Nairobi that the force has entered “a decisive phase of its operation” where gangs are coordinating operations and attacking people and strategic installations, and targeting the political establishment.

While the Haitian police and the multinational force have launched intensive anti-gang operations and achieved some notable progress, especially in securing critical infrastructure, she said a significant gap exists.

Juma said 261 Kenyan police officers are trained and ready to deploy to Haiti, but they can’t get there because of a lack of equipment and logistical support.

She urged the council to take a “more assertive and proactive role” in helping to stabilize Haiti, saying time is of the essence.

Juma said critical to stabilizing the country is stopping the flow of guns and ammunition to the gangs and implementing sanctions against gang leaders. U.N. experts say most arms come from the United States, specifically the Miami area.