Building Community Centers in Rural Haiti_2

Building Community Centers in Rural Haiti

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Building Community Centers in Rural Haiti

april 05, 2024 | Ayiti Demen

Building Community Centers in Rural Haiti_2

Five rural areas in Haiti will soon have a community space where they can meet, relax, store seeds and goods, and learn. Ayiti Demen’s board chairperson, Michèle Pierre-Louis, led a delegation to several towns in the Grand Sud region of the country from February 13 to 17, 2023 to present and discuss the concept of these community centers with local residents and community leaders.

The idea for this project came about in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in August 2021, when several local organizations approached FOKAL for support in the rebuilding of their community. “It was difficult to build a house for each family,” said Madame Pierre-Louis during a community meeting in Barradères. “We wanted to do something that would serve the whole community.”

Building Community Centers in Rural Haiti

For now, five of these multi-purpose buildings will be built, with some already under construction. They will include training rooms, meeting spaces, performance venues, and lodging for community members. Andrea Panizzo, an architect who has been working in Haiti for 13 years, was selected as the design architect for the community centers. Two center models, incorporating typical Haitian architectural elements and using more efficient steel to withstand earthquakes, have been created based on community input.

The Open Society Foundation and SOKA Gakkai have provided the financial resources for this project, while local organizations have donated the lands for the construction of the centers. Mrs Pierre-Louis is calling for community involvement throughout the construction process. “It is a local effort, with local skills, for local use,” she said.

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Ayitika: Crafting Fine Chocolate from the Heart of Haiti

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Ayitika: Crafting Fine Chocolate from the Heart of Haiti

april 05, 2024 | Ayiti Demen

Ayitika is a local company based in the southern part of Haiti, dedicated to producing high-quality chocolate from scratch. What sets Ayitika apart is not only its delicious chocolate, but also its commitment to fair wages for farmers and sustainable farming practices.

From the beginning, FOKAL has been a champion of Ayitika’s mission. They provided critical funding that allowed a group of young people to purchase 10 hectares of land, allowing them to grow more cocoa and expand their production. In addition, FOKAL stepped in with cash assistance after the devastating earthquake in 2021, helping farmers stay in business and ensuring the continuity of this impactful project.

Watch a short video to learn more about Ayitika’s journey and the power of supporting local communities in Haiti.

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Haitian Ladies Weekend Network

Ayiti Demen at the 2023 Haitian Ladies Weekend

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Ayiti Demen at the 2023 Haitian Ladies Weekend

oct 28, 2023 | Ayiti Demen

Haitian Ladies Weekend Network

From October 6-8, 2023, the Haitian Ladies Network hosted “Haitian Ladies Weekend: Igniting Our Power” in Washington, D.C. Ayiti Demen was thrilled to be a part of this event for the second year in a row.

Hundreds of women of Haitian descent from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Haiti came together for networking, educational and cultural activities at this vibrant three-day event celebrating Haitian culture and professional achievements. In her keynote speech, Michèle Montas, a former spokesperson for the United Nations and an award-winning journalist, shared her commitment to human rights. In 2022, Michèle Pierre-Louis, Ayiti Demen’s Board Chairperson, was the keynote speaker.

During a plenary session, attendees also watched a video featuring our own Michèle Pierre-Louis and Allenby Augustin, Executive Director of Le Centre d’Art. The video showcased the exciting rebuilding of Le Centre d’Art and invited everyone to get involved and support this significant project.

Haitian Ladies Network Weekend

Throughout the event, Ayiti Demen hosted a table in support of Le Centre d’Art and conducted outreach activities. We engaged in one-on-one conversations with attendees to present them our mission and emphasize the importance of the arts in preserving culture and empowering communities in Haiti.

The weekend also featured a variety of sessions, including yoga, forums on engaging with Haiti, technology discussions, financial management workshops, and inspiring stories in the HerStory segment. Additionally, attendees enjoyed shopping at a pop-up market featuring Haitian women-owned businesses and capped off their days with cultural celebrations featuring dance and music. The Brunch on Sunday brunch was also a highlight of the weekend.

The Haitian American community in the U.S. is significant, with approximately 1.1 million people living primarily in Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. This community has a major impact on the cultural and economic fabric of the country. In 2022, Haitians living abroad remitted about $3.1 billion to Haiti, accounting for nearly one-third of the country’s GDP. Most of this money, about 84%, comes from the United States, helping Haitian families meet essential expenses and stabilizing the country’s economy.

The 18th Annual Haitian Ladies Network Weekend was a fantastic opportunity to network, learn and celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of Haitian women. We look forward to continuing our involvement in future events and supporting communities in Haiti through the arts. 

Highlights of Conference of Agenda

  1. Special Remarks by Karine Jean-Pierre: White House Press Secretary
  2. Women Entrepreneurship in Haiti: A session on women’s entrepreneurship in Haiti
  3. Engaging with Haiti Panel: Voices of Haitian women on the ground
  4. 18th Annual Haitian Women’s Brunch: A cherished tradition that unites Haitian women worldwide
  5. Pap Jazz Nan Lakou ft. Pauline Jean: A celebration of Haitian culture, art and cuisine
  6. HERStory with Dominique Anglade and Régine Chassagne: Inspiring stories from two extraordinary Haitian women
  7. Real Tech Talk: Insights into technological innovation from leading Haitian women in the tech industry
  8. Building Generational Wealth: Tips for building generational wealth and securing a better future
  9. Digital Personal Branding: Strategies for Success (Gen Z Panel): Exploring digital personal branding and strategies for success in the digital age

About Haitian Ladies Network:

The Haitian Ladies Weekend began in 2005 as a simple brunch among five Haitian women. Since then, it has grown into the Haitian Ladies Network®️ (HLN), which officially formed after a 2016 White House briefing for Haitian American women leaders. Attracting hundreds to the Washington, D.C. area annually and building an online community of over 95,000, HLN aims to create a global platform that connects women of Haitian descent to build community, share inspiration, and celebrate culture.

For more details, visit Haitian Ladies Weekend 2023.

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5th Haiti Funders Conference_Michele Pierre-Louis

Ayiti Demen and FOKAL at the 5th Haiti Funders Conference in Washington, DC

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Ayiti Demen and FOKAL at the 5th Haiti Funders Conference in Washington, DC

June 25, 2023 | Ayiti Demen

5th Haiti Funders Conference_Michele Pierre-Louis
From right to left: Michele Pierre-Louis, FOKAL's president and Ayiti Demen's board chairperson, Lorraine Mangonès, FOKAL's executive director during a panel at the 5th Haitian Funders Conference

The 5th edition of the Haiti Funders Conference was held in Washington, D.C. from June 12 to 14. Haiti Demen and FOKAL were pleased to be part of this event. Co-organized by the Haiti Development Institute (HDI) at the Boston Foundation, the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL), and Ayiti Demen, the event brought together nearly 200 participants and 57 panelists representing 123 organizations. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in more than twenty plenary and breakout sessions, artistic performances, and several powerful keynote addresses.As the keynote speaker, Michèle D. Pierre-Louis, FOKAL’s president and Ayiti Demen’s chairperson, provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape in Haiti and the critical role of philanthropy in driving forward-thinking solutions.

Michele Pierre-Louis, FOKAL's president and Ayiti Demen's board chairperson, delivering a keynote speech at the 5th Haitian Funders Conference

“Yes, we live in a world of violence, unsafe for all. Even scientific progress creates major disruptions in our planetary system by contributing to pollution, health issues, and climate change. The crisis has penetrated our minds and threatens our human dignity. […] Paradoxically, there is another side in ‘this moment’, that of hard work, resistance, solidarity, empathy, a world of care, learning, community engagement, good causes, radical joy and hope. That is where philanthropy plays a major role if we are faithful to its etymological meaning: philos love, anthropos, humankind.”

Read the full speech here.

Michele Pierre-Louis, FOKAL's president and Ayiti Demen's board chairperson, delivering a keynote speech at the 5th Haitian Funders Conference

Despite the efforts of various partners, the situation in Haiti has deteriorated over the past five years, particularly due to increasing insecurity in the Ouest and Artibonite regions. The Haiti Funders Conference provided a valuable opportunity to discuss development issues in this fragile context. It brought together investors, funders, donors, diaspora and nonprofit leaders, and other stakeholders to strategize on how best to support the Haitian people and Haitian-led initiatives for change. Yvens Rumbold, Ayiti Demen’s executive director, captured the conference’s spirit perfectly: “Two words came out in every conversation here: collaboration and partnership. Because we have a duty to do better than in the past and our collective brain here is powerful. We can do better than what the world is doing now in Haiti.”

Yvens Rumbold, Ayiti Demen's executive director at the 5th Haitian Funders Conference
A staff from FOKAL and Ayiti Demen and other attendees at the 5th Haiti Funders Conference

Despite the efforts of various partners, the situation in Haiti has deteriorated over the past five years, particularly due to increasing insecurity in the Ouest and Artibonite regions. The Haiti Funders Conference provided a valuable opportunity to discuss development issues in this fragile context. It brought together investors, funders, donors, diaspora and nonprofit leaders, and other stakeholders to strategize on how best to support the Haitian people and Haitian-led initiatives for change.

Yvens Rumbold, Ayiti Demen’s executive director, captured the conference’s spirit perfectly: “Two words came out in every conversation here: collaboration and partnership. Because we have a duty to do better than in the past and our collective brain here is powerful. We can do better than what the world is doing now in Haiti.”

Initiated by the Haiti Development Institute, the Haiti Funders Conference series is dedicated to increasing the volume and impact of philanthropy directed toward sustainable economic and social development in Haiti. This highly participatory event encourages existing and new actors to engage deeply with Haiti’s development challenges and opportunities.

The 5th Haiti Funders Conference was more than a gathering; it was a call to action. By fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders, the conference laid the groundwork for an effective, sustainable partnership for development in Haiti. As Yvens Rumbold pointed out, the collective power and commitment of participants can lead to better outcomes and pave the way for a brighter future for Haiti.

You can read more about the proceedings of the 5th Haiti Funders Conference here.

When we give, we give big

A group of women participating in a training program offered by Fanm Deside in Jacmel, Haiti. Photo by Reginald Louissaint.

Empowering Women in Haiti: The Story of Fanm Deside

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Empowering Women in Haiti: The Story of Fanm Deside

June 22, 2023 | Ayiti Demen

For over three decades, Fanm Deside has worked to support Haitian women in the South of Haiti by advocating for violence survivors, promoting financial independence, and providing education and training..

A group of women participating in a training program offered by Fanm Deside in Jacmel, Haiti. Photo by Reginald Louissaint.

A group of women participating in a training program offered by Fanm Deside in Jacmel, Haiti. Photo by Reginald Louissaint.

In the summer of 2021, a devastating earthquake followed by a destructive hurricane struck southern Haiti, leaving Marline Joseph, a 37-year-old mother of three, unemployed and struggling to rebuild her life after her home collapsed. In the midst of this despair, Marline found a ray of hope in organizations like Fanm Deside (Women Decide).

Marline reached out to Fanm Deside for help, and the organization responded by offering her vital financial assistance. “The money they provided allowed me to buy food and maintain my household during these difficult times,” she says with a sense of relief and gratitude.

A catalyst for change

Originally established in 1989 as “Fanm Deside Mete Tet Ansam” (Women Decide to Stand Together), Fanm Deside was founded by ten Haitian women and three Canadian nuns who shared a common belief in the power of women to effect positive change. Rooted in Jacmel, a town in the southeast side of Haiti, the organization set out on a mission to transform the lives of women in the country.
“Our goal is to transform the lives of women in our society.”
Marie-Ange Noel, Coordinator of Fanm Deside
Marie-Ange Noel, Coordinator of Fanm Deside. Photo by Reginald Louissaint
Supporting survivors of violence

At the heart of Fanm Deside‘s work lies a commitment to supporting survivors of violence, including sexual, physical, and spousal abuse. “Our trained supporters provide personalized assistance based on the survivor’s preferences,” says Nathalie Cadet, the administrator of Fanm Deside, explaining the organization’s approach. She continues, “In cases of physical or sexual abuse, we ensure they [survivors] receive immediate medical attention and obtain a medical certificate. If desired, we can assist with legal action, as we collaborate with a legal team to handle the legal aspects.” Furthermore, Fanm Deside provides a safe haven where survivors can share their experiences and offers temporary shelter as a space for healing and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Educating for lasting change

Fanm Deside is also instrumental in helping women achieve financial independence. Its support includes the provision of funds for activities related to agriculture, livestock, storage, gardening, and the promotion of solidarity among women.
“We don’t just hand them [women] cash, we actually show them how to make the most of it.”
Nathalie Cadet, Administrator of Fanm Deside

A group of women attending a training program offered by Fanm Deside, Nathalie Cadet, Administrator of Fanm Deside | photo by Reginald Louissaint

With a grant from the FOKAL-Haiti Relief Fund after the 2021 hurricane, Fanm Deside implemented a program that benefited 160 women, some of whom received financial assistance to create economic activities. “We don’t just hand them cash, says Nathalie, we actually show them how to make the most of it. We also promote this cool thing called mutual solidarity, where they learn to save some of their earnings. It’s not just about benefiting the women themselves, but it also has a positive impact on their entire families.”

Education is an important part in what Fanm Deside is doing. In addition to assisting in paying school tuition fees for some women, the organization offers various training programs designed to enhance personal development and empower women to make positive changes in their communities. 

Marline has been an active participant in the organization’s activities, including culinary workshops and literacy training, for the past three years. She speaks proudly of her expertise in traditional Haitian cuisine: “I can make ginger powder, grated ginger, ‘pomad’, ‘kremas’, and even coffee and chocolate. […] I have acquired all these skills through Fanm Deside‘s programs.”

The vision for the women in Haiti

When asked about her vision for the future of women in Haiti, Marline emphasizes the need for respect and equality in the country. She dreams of a society where women’s rights are recognized and where gender equality is not just a concept, but a reality. Marie-Ange echoes these sentiments and stresses the importance of women’s participation in politics: “Women must have a seat at the table and actively participate in decision-making processes because their contribution is crucial.” Support our efforts to empower women in Haiti

“I have acquired all these skills through Fanm Deside’s programs.”Marline Joseph, one of the 2021 earthquake survivors helped by Fanm Deside’s financial and training programs
Marline Joseph, one of the 2021 earthquake survivors helped by Fanm Deside's financial and training programs | Photo by Reginald Louissaint

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Cafeì-Lux #01

Haitian Farmers Have Sold their Coffee at the Wrong Price. A Local Company is Changing That

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Haitian Farmers Have Sold their Coffee at the Wrong Price. A Local Company is Changing That

sept 08, 2022 | Ayiti Demen

With funding support from FOKAL and Ayiti Demen in 2021, Café-Lux, a social enterprise, is able to offer thousands of Haitian farmers better prices for their coffee beans and training in farming techniques to grow quality products.

Cafeì-Lux #01
Beniton Magloire, a farmer who has been growing coffee for more than five decades in the southeast part of Haiti.
Credit photo: Reginald Louissaint

Beniton Magloire, a Haitian farmer in his sixties, has been immersed in coffee for as long as he can remember. Not only is it the drink that kicks off his day every morning, but coffee growing has also been his family’s main subsistence activity. “As a kid, I would go to the farm with my mom every June, and she taught me everything about coffee.” 

So, it did not take Beniton long to figure out that he would become a coffee farmer. At only eighteen, he was already raising his crops. “Coffee is really what allowed me to get into business,” he says. He now harvests some 250 pounds of coffee beans a year on his own piece of land in Jacmel, one of the most forested parts of Haiti.  

Coffee farming has historically played a vital role in the Haitian economy. In the mid-20th century, Haiti was the world’s third largest exporter of coffee, and thousands of Haitian families rely on it as their primary source of income. The mountainous configuration of the land offers ideal environmental conditions to grow arabica, the world’s best coffee quality, in Haiti.

In 1949, Haiti was the world’s third coffee-growing country and most of the coffee harvested in Haiti is Arabica.
Credit photo: Reginald Louissaint

However, despite their hard labor, small farmers like Beniton have long struggled to enjoy the full benefit of the coffee trade. When Haiti was forced to pay $560 million for the “independence debt”  to France between 1825 and 1947, these funds largely came from charges imposed on coffee farmers. In addition, speculators often underprice their products and resell them at substantially higher prices in the international market. Baffled by this unfair practice –among other challenges, many farmers decide to replace coffee with vegetable crops, hoping to improve their economic opportunities.

"I wanted to create new opportunities for these farmers by purchasing their coffee beans at a better price so they can find decent revenues to provide education to their children and feed their families.''

– Remy Telfils, founder of Café-Lux

Remy Telfils, an agricultural engineer who also grew up in a coffee-growing family, thought he would change that. So, fresh out of college, he started in 2013 Café-Lux, a social enterprise that specializes in the production and marketing of roast coffee. 

“I wanted to create new opportunities for these farmers by purchasing their coffee beans at a better price so they can find decent revenues to provide education to their children and feed their families,” Remy says. “So far, we are on the right path.”  

Café-Lux operates with a network of more than 10,000 coffee growers of which Beniton has been a member for four years. The farmers receive an advance payment to sustain their needs during the production cycle, which can last up to five years.

But weather hazards are such a threat to coffee production in Haiti. When the tropical storm Grace hit the southeast of Haiti last year, Remy was a front-line witness to the devastation. “Many farms were destroyed, equipment was lost, and sites of farmers’ associations collapsed, he recounts. But we are building back now.” 

With the money raised from their earthquake relief campaign last year, FOKAL and Ayiti Demen offered a grant to Café-Lux so the company and the farmers could resume their activities. That funding, Remy thinks, makes a world of difference. ”We bought a giant coffee grinder, coffee packages, and equipment to produce seedlings to distribute to the farmers,” he says

Last year, Café-Lux produced about 10,000 pounds of coffee, most of which was sold as ground coffee or beans to different stores in Port-a-Prince, according to Remy. The company has made its debut on the international market with some distribution in Canada and the United States and featured an exhibition sale in Germany.

Cafeì-Lux #03
Remy Telfils, the founder of Café-Lux, a company that processes and commercializes Haitian coffee. Café-Lux is now doing business with a network of more than 10,000 coffee farmers.
Credit photo: Reginald Louissaint

With the funding provided by FOKAL and Haiti Demen in 2021, Café-Lux acquires a giant coffee grinder and other equipment. Its 2021 production was estimated at some 10,000 pounds of coffee.

But much more remains to be done. Remy says Cafe-Lux wants to repair the storage site and purchase an electronic coffee bean sorter to increase production capacity. “If coffee was used to pay the independence debt, that means it has a lot of value. Coffee can really bring money to the farmers and boost the country’s economy, but we need to give them [the farmers] resources so they can expand their production.”

"When we work together as farmers, we develop friendships, share ideas, and much more."

– Beniton Magloire, coffee farmer

It is, in fact, thanks to coffee growing that Beniton manages to raise a family of six children, some of whom are now college graduates. But more than just an economic activity, coffee growing, as he sees it, can also serve as a catalyst for social cohesion and strengthen communities. “When we work together as farmers, we develop friendships, share ideas, and much more.”

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Gessica Geneus Amb

Haitian Filmmaker Gessica Généus Named as Ayiti Demen Ambassador

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Haitian Filmmaker Gessica Généus Named as Ayiti Demen Ambassador

July 25, 2022 | Ayiti Demen

Gessica Geneus Amb

NEW YORK, NY. – Ayiti Demen’s board has selected acclaimed Haitian filmmaker Gessica Généus as the organization’s goodwill ambassador. In this role, Gessica will help communicate to people around the world the work Ayiti Demen is doing to improve lives in Haiti.

“Our work is more important than ever as the country is facing enormous problems. We need fresh voices carrying out new visions of the future,” says Michèle Pierre-Louis, Ayiti Demen’s board chairperson. “And Gessica is a shining example of what young Haitians can do to make things better. We are very proud that she joins our cause.”

“Using my platform to promote an organization like Ayiti Demen aligns with what I stand for,” says Gessica. “That means leveraging my social media presence to highlight some excellent and honest work happening in Haiti. And Ayiti Demen is a particularly worthwhile initiative to me, and I am very comfortable endorsing it.” 

Gessica’s collaboration with Ayiti Demen is not a new one. After a devastating earthquake hit the southern part of Haiti last year, she held a screening event for her film, Freda, and donated 50% of the proceeds to the FOKAL Haiti Relief Fund, a fundraising effort led by the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL) and Ayiti Demen.  

“Gessica embodies the vision of Haitian youth we are promoting at Ayiti Demen. She is dynamic, competent, and committed,” says Yvens Rumbold, Ayiti Demen’s executive director. “An important part of Ayiti Demen’s mission is to help globally change the narrative about Haiti to something that values the courage and dignity of its people. Gessica has long championed that cause, especially through her latest film Freda which has received a lot of publicity worldwide.”

Gessica Généus is an award-winning actress and filmmaker. She began her career at 17 years old, starring in many film roles in Haitian and foreign productions. She later attended film school in Paris and founded Ayizan Productions, a film production company. Her feature films The Day Will Dawn (2017) and Freda (2021) continue to be shown around the world.

Founded in 2007 to support FOKAL’s work, Ayiti Demen is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the State of New York. Its mission is to improve lives in Haiti by empowering local communities and supporting FOKAL’s partners such as grassroots organizations working in education, art & culture, and sustainable development in Haiti.

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Anaïse Hector

How a Young Artist Finds her Way Through Painting at Le Centre d’Art in Haiti

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How a Young Artist Finds her Way Through Painting at Le Centre d’Art in Haiti

July 08, 2022 | Ayiti Demen

Like many emerging artists in Haiti, Anaïse Hector relies on Le Centre d’Art’s free-of-charge resources and low-cost educational programs to hone her craft and build a career in visuals arts.

Anaïse Hector
Anaïse Hector, an emerging visual artist who is an active participant in Le Centre d’Art arts education program.
Photo by Yves-Osner Dorvil

Anaïse Hector, 21, is an artist at heart. She was exposed to art very early as her father used to make her watercolors full of magic. “I found the way he played with the colors fascinating,” she says. Her passion grew even more during high school years when she attended various drawing classes. But it was not until 2018 when she joined Le Centre d’Art –a vibrant hub of Haitian arts and artists located in the nation’s capital– that she became convinced of her creative potential. “I realized that art is not just a hobby for me but a form of expression, and that’s what I want to do. So I want to dedicate more time to my craft,” says Anaïse, also a psychology student. Her primary artistic activity is painting; at times, she can also get her hands on collage and sculpture. The dominant theme of her work is femininity, aiming “to free women’s body image from social norms.”

It is not easy to juggle school, art, and social life being so young, but Anaïse manages and stays focused. The biggest challenge, however, that comes her way is inadequate finances to procure painting supplies, which are very expensive for most emerging talents with low or no income. Le Centre d’Art, since its reopening in 2015, has offered a creative space, workshops, and art materials to more than 800 artists based in disciplines ranging from drawing, painting, sculpture, or even photography. “That helps me a lot when Le Centre d’Art gives me painting materials,” Anaïse says. 

One of Anaïse’s favorite parts of being part of Le Centre d’Art is the opportunity to receive mentorship from some of Haiti’s elite artists like Mario Benjamin, Tessa Mars, and Pascale Monin. “Being around them and learning from them is a big deal and an honor for me,” she said. A highlight of her journey was the moment veteran Haitian sculptor Lionel St Eloi told her while working on a painting at Le Centre d’Art facilities, “You’ll become a great artist.” That is the kind of message of hope and confidence any young artist needs to hear.

"I used to be the only woman to participate in the art workshops, but that is no longer the case."

– Anaïse Hector

Despite the daily crises raging in the country in recent years, Anaïse is hopeful for the future. She is particularly excited to see a more significant feminine presence in the art landscape. “I used to be the only woman to participate in the art workshops, but that is no longer the case” she says. The recent all-female art exhibition, Vives, hosted by Le Centre d’Art in early 2022, brought her much motivation and inspiration. Ultimately, she wishes for “more growth in the art market in Haïti so that artists can make a living entirely from their artwork.

When we give, we give big