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Haiti Observer Blog

Did you know that Online education is available in Haiti?

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at the Hotel Montana, in the presence of the Ambassador of France, Elisabeth Béton Délègue, Haiti launched its first indigenous online teaching platform THESS (Hybrid Technology for Education, Science and Knowledge). This program has been developed by the "École Supérieure d'Infotronique d'Haïti" with an objective to increase youth employment opportunity by facilitating access to university education. The students and professionals can learn the program through a "student kit" which includes a tablet computer, an internet connection and a subscription to the digital library Cyberlibris. The program is supported by the Embassy of France in Haiti and by the AUF. THESS is a platform that integrates multiple services: online education, university governance, educational management, collaborative tools (forum, chat). It is open to all members of the universities of the Conference of Rectors and Presidents of Universities of Haiti (CORPUHA).

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School for Students with Disabilities in Haiti Brings Hope

The Montfort Institute, a school for sensory disabled children was founded in April 1957 by the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom. When the main building of the institution was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake, the deaf and mute children were shifted to under makeshift tarps and tents. World Vision, a non-governmental international organization, with Korean funding of over US$ 1 million, founded a new 24 classroom building. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities. The organization works worldwide, so that the challenging children can reach their full potential. The school now provides sustainable educational opportunities for 350 deaf and mute students. World Vision also extends financial assistance to four other rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities in Haiti. In Croix-des bouquets, the motto of Korean-funded World Vision School is, like every other child, children with special needs should also have access to improved quality holistic education. The aim of their Rehabilitating Schools and Facilities for Students with Disabilities project is supporting education for life for all Haitian children. Since 1978, World Vision, the non-government organization, after establishing its office in Haiti, has supported long-term development programs focused on child well-being and community development. The organization has also provided relief supplies and assisted with recovery from major natural disasters including 2010 earthquake.

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History - September 1994, De Facto Military Gov. Resigns At the Request of the US

Joseph Raoul Cédras is a former military officer, and was de facto ruler of Haiti (September 30, 1991 - October 10, 1994). Cédras was a Lieutenant General in the Forces Armées d'Haïti (the Haitian army) and was responsible for the 1991 Haitian coup d'état which ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on 30 September 1991. He was educated in the United States and was a member of the US-trained Leopard Corps and received training from the Spanish military. This former Haitian military strongman resigned in September 1994 at the request of the U.S and in exchange of a million dollar-plus "golden parachute" offer to resign and go into exile, including the rental of three of his houses at $5,000 a month. As part of a deal to avoid arrest, he left for Panama and allowed the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide whom he ousted by a coup in September 1991. The Panamanian government provided Cedras and his family with security only during their first two weeks in the country, as a courtesy.

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We will have our first Haitian-American Senator in Florida soon

Out of a crowded group of candidates for the Florida Senate District 38, Daphne Campbell wan the Democratic primary. She was competing against: Don Festge, Kevin Burns, Anis Blemur, Jason Pizzo and Michael Góngora. The seat was left vacated by Senator Margolis when she announced she was retiring after insulting some other candidates in a forum back in June, 2016. She will face former Democratic State Representative Phillip Brutus, who is running this time as independent. Brutus obviously did not want to take part of the crowded group during the primary election.

Regardless on how it turns out, after the November election in the United states, we will have a Haitian-American as a Senator in Florida. He or she will be representing District 38.

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It was in September 1804 that Dessalines proclaimed himself Emperor of Haiti

In 1758, Jean-Jacques Dessalines was born in Central West Africa. He was enslaved in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (Haiti). His biography is a mix of legend and history. However, most historians believe that he was born in Saint-Domingue as Jean-Jacques Duclos, the name of his father was adopted it from his owner. Dessalines started his career as a field hand, rose up to the role of foreman. When he was around age 30, he was sold to a free black man named Dessalines and his surname was changed again. Dessalines served as an officer in the French army when the colony was trying to resist the Spanish and British invaders. In 1791, he joined the slave revolution that broke out in the colony and met the rising military commander Toussaint Bréda (later known as Toussaint L'Ouverture). Gradually, in the decade that followed, Dessalines established himself as a lieutenant of the black leader Toussaint L'Ouverture, who became the governor-general of Saint-Domingue with French support as a reward for his loyalty to France.

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Is government secretly imprisoning people in Haiti

The United Nations (UN), Amnesty International and some other human rights organization observes the International Day of on August 30 each year.

"An enforced disappearance (or forced disappearance) occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization without admitting the person's fate and whereabouts, within the intent of placing the victim outside the protection of the law." An enforced disappearance is a form of human rights violation. This practice has frequently been used as a strategy to spread terror and insecurity within the society. It is a global problem and is not restricted to a specific region of the world. The day is also known as International Day of the Disappeared. It is not a public holiday, a UN observance since August 30, 2011.

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Police Inspector Michel Jumel shot dead in Tap Tap at Delmas 83

On Thursday, August 25, around 10:00AM Police Inspector Michel Jumel who was traveling in Delmas 83 in a Tap Tap was deadly hit by two bullets. The officer was not in uniform at the time. It appears that the killing was a set up.It was reported that just before the shooting, the bandits menaced some of the passengers in the Tap Tap but only targeted Inspector Michel Jumel

What do you think?

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Jovenel Moise came first in latest Brides Survey

A survey conducted by the Haitian surveys firm Brides has Jovenel Moise once again leading the presidential race in Haiti. He is estimated to be winning 41 percent of the votes, while Jude Celestin is trailing with 25.2% of likely voters. Here is the actual ranking by candidate:

Jovenel Moïse (P.H.T.K) - 4,868 votes (41.0%)
Jude Célestin (LAPEH) - 2,994 votes (25.2%)
Jean Charles Mouise (Pitit Dessalin) - 1,487 votes (12.5%)
Maryse Narcisse (Fanmi Lavalas) - 901 votes (7.6%)
Jean Henry Céant (Renmen Ayiti) - 209 votes (1.8%)
Beauzile Edmonde Ssupplice - (FUSION) 77 votes (0.6%)
Jean·Chavannes Jeune (Canaan) - 45 votes (0.4%)
Jean Clarens Rendis (UNIR) - 43 votes (0.4%)
Maxo Joseph (Randevous) - 43 votes (0.4%)
Daniel Dupiton (CONAPPH) - 32 votes (0.3%)
Jean Hervé Charles (PENH) - 24 votes (0.2%)
Luckner Désir (MPH) 24 votes - (0.2%)
Jacques Sampeur (KLE) 23 votes - (0.2%)
Roland Magloire (PDI) 19 votes - (0.2%)

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Michel Ange Gedeon, ratified by the Senate as new Police Chief of Haiti

Michel Ange Gedeon has finally been nominated as Director General of the National Police of Haiti. The Senate of the Republic ratified Mr Gideon for 3 years to remain in control of the National Police of Haiti.

In last February (29th), Michel-Ange Gédéon was promoted to the post of Inspector General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) from his earlier offices, Divisional Commissioner and former head of the West Departmental Office (DDO). In last April, he was installed as the Director General of the Haitian National Police, replacing his predecessor Godson Orélus, appointed during the Martelly regime. He submitted 14 of the 16 requested documents to the Senate Justice and Public Safety Committee being led by Jean Renel Senatus (LIDE/Ouest). However, his appointment was held in an interim status, subject to a ratification by the Senate of the Republic. Finally, his installation has been legitimized by the Senate through a ratification on Thursday, August 25, 2016. During his installation while replacing Godson Orélus in last April, Gédéon had said, "Politics have hurt our institution. Under my leadership, I want a neutral police force, far from politics and professional."

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U.S. to Haiti Give me my money back

In Haiti's 2015 presidential elections, the United States, along with other international bodies, provided a total of US$38 million to Haiti's Conseil Electoral Provisoire (Provisional Electoral Council, CEP). The U.S. spent $33 million on the 2015 elections and in last July, has threatened to withhold further funds, because during the last elections, political turmoil resulted massive frauds and unacceptable election results, and following that President Privert announced his decision to re-run the presidential race. Later, President Privert assured the public that the elections of October 9, 2016, will be funded nationally. He has affirmed that the $55 million needed for the elections is available in the public treasury. As per Finance Minister Yves Romain Bastien, the election money received for the last election was never in the hands of the Haitian authorities. He has also said that the upcoming polls would be largely paid for through funds collected from a port, the central bank and Haiti's National Credit Bank. Funding of other government programs would be largely excluded because the port and two banks are good profit making concerns which they ordinarily do not share with the state, he added.

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