Monthly Archives: September 2012

Bleu la la! An unspoiled treasure

The unassuming hills outside of Jacmel hold one of Haiti’s most precious jewels: Bassin Bleu. Bassin Bleu is a series of turquoise freshwater wading pools that consists of Bassin Cheval, Bassin Palmiste, and Bassin Clair.     Getting to Bassin Bleu is not easy; but well worth the trip. The easiest way to get there is to hire a jeep to take you across the Petite Rivière that connects to one of the most beautiful roads in Haiti.

Jimmy “The Young Tycoon” Toussaint: Selling the Haitian experience with new hotel

Haitian American Jimmy Toussaint has always been surrounded by the will to strive. His resume boasts an attractive list of accomplishments including the Colline Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for projects and initiatives in Haiti, which he founded in 2009. Now in his junior year at Columbia University, Toussaint is adding another first to his laundry list of undertakings; managing partner of Hilltop Terrace.

‘Oprahtizing’ Women’s Issues in Haiti

Actress Maria Bello saysshe’s pissed. She’s an activist and humanitarian whose charitable focusis Haiti.   “We were pissed off that the women’s groups [in Haiti], who were most organized, weren’t getting the access and funding they deserved,” she said at the Social Good Summit on Sunday. Bello wants to “Oprahtize” Haiti, meaning she wants to discuss important women’s topics and facts much like Oprah has done in America.   Her first step was creating We Advance University, a weband mobile site dedicated to educating Haitian women on everything from hygiene to cooking. The site also helps bring together local women’s groups in remote areas. Woman can use the site for local services or to simply ask for help.   For example, a woman can learn that just miles away from where she lives is a Red Cross that offers rape tests and a lawyer who can file rape-charges with local officials, Bello explained.   See more on this Mashable story

Haiti to get 20 mill from Qatar

Former U.S. President and special U.N. envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton visits the Haiti Hotel School in Port-au-Prince, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012. On the same day, Clinton made a joint announcement with Qatar’s ambassador that the Middle Eastern nation will give $20 million to Haiti     Haiti will receive $20 million from Qatar, according to an announcement made by former U.S. president Bill Clinton and Qatar’s Ambassador Mohammed Bin Abdulla al-Rumaihi Monday in Port-au-Prince. The money will be made available through a special fund that will help the struggling nation in the areas of health, education and housing.   “This $20 million the Qatar Fund has pledged to support long-term recovery in five important areas with very strong partners in each is profoundly important,” Clinton said. “And I hope will set an example for other donors who have committed funds but have not been specific yet when they will deliver how much money. The Qataris have kept their word and done it in an intelligent, forward-looking way for which I am very grateful.”   Read more at Voice of America  

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Brazil to build Haitian defense force

Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim announced that his country will help Haiti build a defense force. This is the same man who was behind the “shoot first, ask questions later” decision to ratify the February 2004 US-French invasion of
Haiti. So is Brazil really looking to help our struggling country or are they looking out for their own interests? read more

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And The Awards Go To…

  The guests are invited, the location is set, the drinks are chilled and the stage is ready, which, of course can only mean one thing … It’s finally here!     We at Amour Creole, with the help of our sponsors, would like to present our very first annual high-function affair we are calling “The Night of Trailblazers,” a commemorative evening in special honor of three members of the Caribbean American community.