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Native of Haiti Pelege Lareus

Native of Haiti Pelege Lareus. History of Haiti Life in Haiti My Journey Starting a Non-Profit Current Situation What the people of Haiti need. Bad situation in Haiti Willing to wear anything… even University of Michigan hat!.

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Native of Haiti Pelege Lareus

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  1. Native of HaitiPelege Lareus www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  2. History of Haiti • Life in Haiti • My Journey • Starting a Non-Profit • Current Situation • What the people of Haiti need www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  3. Bad situation in HaitiWilling to wear anything… even University of Michigan hat! www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  4. Haitian Creole SayingsL’Union Fait La ForceUnion Makes Strength • Lèspoua fè viv. Hope makes one live. • Grangou nan vant pa dous. Hunger in stomach isn’t sweet. • Bon pa gaspiyè. A good thing is not wasted. www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  5. Proud History of Haiti • 1492 – Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola. • 1698 – The island of Hispaniola divided in half. The western half became Haiti under French control. • 1804 – Haiti became 1st black republic after a slave revolt led by Toussaint L’Ouverture. • Haiti was the 2nd independent country in the western hemisphere after the United States was 1st. • Haiti helped Simon Bolivar fight for independence of other South American countries. www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  6. Problems and Corruption • When Haiti declared their independence other countries, including the US, did not recognize Haiti as a country. • Other countries feared having slave revolts in their own countries. • Countries cut off trade to Haiti after their independence. • In 1825, Haiti agreed to pay France 150 million gold francs (approximately $21 billion US dollars) in exchange for being recognized as a nation. • These payments to France continued until 1922 leaving Haiti broke without a chance of ever becoming prosperous. • Out of this, developed corrupt political leaders and instability. www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  7. Map of Haiti • I’m from Baie-du-Mesle • The village of Baie-du-Mesle is on south coast, east of Les Cayes • 3 hours south of Port-au-Prince Baie-du-Mesle www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  8. My Life In Haiti • Born October 7, 1978 in Baie-du-Mesle, Haiti. • Had 7 siblings. Father delivered all of us at home. • Attended school. • Helped family with farming, taking care of animals, fishing and fetching water. • Grew up in a Christian home. Knew of voodoo, but not taught it. www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  9. Example of a Houseusually have grass roofs www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  10. Positives of Life in Baie-du-Mesle • Grew up along ocean • Fishing, diving, swimming and boating • Grew our own food • Fresh oranges, mangos, coconuts, avocado • Large family • Beauty of nature www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  11. Handmade canoes and fishing nets www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  12. Negatives of Life in Baie-du-Mesle • No electricity or running water • No hospital or doctors • No police, fire or emergency squads www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  13. Negatives of Life in Baie-du-Mesle - Continued • Harsh sides of nature • Strong storms and flooding • Swarms of mosquitoes • Hard work of growing crops • Hard work of daily life Doing laundry by hand www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  14. Unique Differences • Saw very few white people before leaving Haiti. Scared of their green eyes. • It was very rare to see a car in my village of Baie-du-Mesle. • Never saw toilet in my village. www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  15. My Journey • Left on refugee boat at age of 13. • 2 days in rough seas with 150 people • Boat picked up by US Coast Guard • Watched refugee boat go up in flames and realized how blessed we were. • Spent 3 months in tents in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. • Went through interview process to pass through immigrations. Some were sent back to Haiti. www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  16. My Journey in US • Short time in Miami, Florida • Sent by Immigration Dept. to Columbus, OH • Lived with family friends in Short North area • After winter, 3 people I lived with returned to Florida • Stayed with a family who spoke Haitian Creole • Lived in foster homes in Newark, OH • Started 7th Grade in Newark • Friends and American family from Newark, OH • Played soccer, basketball, ran cross country and track www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  17. Starting a Non-Profit • Never forgot about people in Haiti. • Almost 4 years ago began Hand to Hand 501(c)3 • With help and support of friends and Nationwide co-workers • 8 months to complete IRS approval process • Developed website www.HandtoHandHaiti.com • Have board of directors • Mission to help people of Baie-du-Mesle www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  18. Before Earthquake • People were already suffering before the earthquake. • Ability to grow crops and fish has suffered due to: • Climate change • Deforestation and soil erosion • Drought, flooding, hurricanes • Schools of sardines, shrimp and other fish have disappeared • People not looking for a handout, but need help www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  19. Post Earthquake Situation • International news and aid around Port-au-Prince • Other areas of country suffering, including Baie-du-Mesle • Limited food supplies already, now even more scarce • People are leaving Port-au-Prince and returning to their native villages • Rainy season is already beginning and will compound problems further www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  20. People of Haiti are Survivors www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  21. What the people of Haiti need? • Strong Leadership! • Immediate need for food and water • Long-term sustainable resources needed to become self-sufficient • Thriving economy • Education • Healthcare www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

  22. Questions? • Pelege’s contact information: • www.HandtoHandHaiti.com • Pelege78@hotmail.com • 614-592-0798 www.HandtoHandHaiti.com

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