On January 1, 1804, history shifted forever when Haiti declared independence, becoming the first independent Black republic in the modern world, breaking the chains of centuries of colonial rule and enslavement. That moment remains one of the most powerful symbols of freedom, resilience, and self-determination in human history.
Read MoreIn the majority of the world, school is not free. This is especially true for Haiti. School fees for each child represent over 20 percent of household income for the lowest income quintile; a poor household with three children thus spends more than 60 percent of household income on education, a truly remarkable sacrifice for parents. Many have to make the difficult decision to eat for the day or send their children to school.
Read More119 BILLION POUNDS
Each year, 119 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States. That equates to 130 billion meals and more than $408 billion in food thrown away each year. Shockingly, nearly 40% of all food in America is wasted.*
Contrastingly, just a two hour plane ride from Miami, lies a country experiencing over 500 deaths a day due to starvation. Almost half of Haiti’s 11 million people are currently experiencing acute food insecurity and the numbers are only expected to rise.
But, then there are moments when I remember. When I feel the weight, the heaviness, the seriousness of the call. The reality is that regardless of our life circumstances, we all have something to give and something to offer. As communications director for La Pointe Foundation have the privilege of seeing first-hand the effect each of us can have on the lives of others. That is why I am especially passionate about a new project that will impact hundreds of lives. This is the building of the Vocational School in La Pointe, Haiti.