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[amwe88]

Contrary to popular belief that all of Haiti's problems are caused by Aristide, The Convergance, Duvalierist, U.S.A, France, Racism, etc, the fact of the matter is that Haiti main problem is that of under-development. Although all these groups have played a part in the dismal state of affairs going on in Haiti whether these groups are there or not Haiti will still suffer from it number one ill which is under development. I propose that Haitian nationals living abroad start a development to alleviate which ever government is in place in the collection of taxes towards development. There are about 1 million Haitians living abroad of which 300 to 500 thousand are living relatively comfotably and might be inclined to participate in this fund. If let's say 400,000 Haitian nationals decide to contribute $300 per year, this would amount to 120 million dollars that can be used for projects such as road buillding, fisheries, reforestation, irrigation, education, health, beautification of tourist sites and other infrastructure, which translates into jobs. if this fund were to survive for 5 years this would translate into 600 million dollars which is just about the amount that the international community and the U.S. is dangling infront of Haitian politicians noses. I agree that there must be an agreement between the government and the oposition, but so much time is being wasted waiting for something which might never happen. Some might say "Those Haitian thieves will just steal the money",This is true but not if this fund is deposited in an American Bank and administered by honest Haitian-American professionals. As I envision it, a specific project will be submited to be reviewed by a board and by whoever contributed to the fund. then a descision will be made on whether it is feasible or not. The estimated cost, and progress of the plan, will be sent to contributors occasionally or when asked for. This is not so far fetched as it seems since other countries such as Israel and S Korea are doing this.

[AyitiApBon]

This is a good Idea.....My suggestion would be to form a not for profit organization based in the U.S., which is NOT POLITICAL and governed just like any other business and the people who donates would be treated like share holders, And provided with quaterly reports or semiannual reports on the organization.

don't let this idea drop because as we all know governments will come and go but we are Haiti and Haitians will always be.

Keep us posted

[lovehaiti]

Hello brothers and sisters,

That is a terrific idea that we all have heard before in the diaspora and also at home. If i may make a couple of suggestions: it is not easy to find honest haitian professionnals and non profit organizations are not always not for profit organizations, so we need to be careful here. The potential in the Haitian diaspora is probably the only chance Haiti has left but we all know how sceptical we are since we've been lied to and taken for a ride by fake created overnight organization like VOAM ( Voye Ayiti Monte in 1986 ). Like I said before, the whole thing has to start trough discussions and meetings and involvements in the haitian diaspora all over the globe; what i am saying is we are not going to let a couple of recalcitrants get together and again create overnight an organization called Haitian Developpement Fund and come on TV and ask to raise $ 200 millions to save Haiti just because they have a shady agreement with some U.S. banks to have the money deposited . Let's be a charismatic people and proceed with extreme caution because the Banks also get involved in fraudulent transactions and money laundering; just because the money would be deposited in a us bank does not make it ok. A whole lots of Haitians have to be involved in this if it was to happen with reliable legal agreements and lawyers..and witnesses, the whole nine yard.

if any comments email me at yldep@aol.com

I am an original of Foundation Cards on the Table ( Foundation Cartes sur Table) based in P-a-P, Haiti

[amwe88]

Thank you for replying to my post concerning the "Haitian development Fund". I know that I did not invent this idea by any means. Like you said this was tried before in 1986. The atmosphere in Haiti is a little better now, contrary to popular belief. Of course I would like for the oppostiton and the current Government to come to an agreement, nevertheless even if they do come to an agreement which is highly unlikely, I think that Haitians living abroad should still try to discuss this plan. if you are tired of reading about "Haiti the Poorest country in the Western Hemisphere" if you are tired of hearing about boat people, if you are tired of hearing about disease and coup detats, if you are tired of people picking on your kids at school, then I think it might be a good idea to get our heads together on this.

Jo_joseph_99@Yahoo.com

[jacoba2307]

Dear fellow Haitians

I think that the idea of a development fund is great. Let us keep thinking on it and get more suggestions. There must be a creative process, it may at times be painful but that is the way things get done. Aren't we Haitians supposed to be creative?

I will soon come with some ideas of my own entourage (from deep in the heart of Haïti)

A bientôt

[lovehaiti]

Hello brothers and sisters

No one would like to see Haiti get back on its feet more than i do; I have been looking at ways to fix my homeland for about 16 years now. My question to you Jo is: are u looking into this, are you making contacts, are you part of an organization, do you have a base in Haiti, do you have any expertise in the field of economics and investments; how do u think this project should get started; do we have to call in for an international conference of patriotic and nationalistic haitians around the globe?

Foundation Cards on the Table has been looking into this for about 2 years now; do you want to join us and work together or do you want us to join you? Cause time is running out; Haiti is in agony.

Let me conclude with a few comments directed to your opening argument: Not all of our problems are caused by USA, neocolonialism or Duvalierism, but many of our problems can certainly be traced back to those entities; a few example to illustrate

1) In 1825 the USA blocked the participation of Haiti in the Panama Conference on trade and economic developpement.

Gee, I guess we will never know the benefits if we had participated........ Racissssssssmmmmmmm

2) Believe or not the Jean Claude Duvalier team puts forward a good plan of economic growth in 1983 that would dramaticly increase the country's agricultural production; it was struck down by the IMF and the World Bank because they only care about low wage workforce in unsafe factory for Haiti.....Neocolonialism at its best

3) The French Ambassador to the US in 1840 spoke directly to the US officials against recognizing the independence of Haiti because a stronger Haiti would mean the ability to pay off the huge independence debt to France

Trust me, knowing the history of my country like i know it, i have a lot to be angry about

yldep@aol.com

Foundation Cartes sur Table...PaP, Haiti

[amwe88]

First of all thank you for showing some concern regarding our country, by replying twice now to my original post, in which I tried to explain the "Haitian Development Fund". To answer your questions, I do not currently belong to any organization, although I have made some contacts regarding this matter. Although such a plan was tried and failed back in 1986, I can tell you plainly, that the idea of a "Haitian Development Fund" did not originate from there. I also have been trying to improve the lot of our country men, for the past 15 years or so. I became interested in the idea of a fund, about 5 years ago, as I closely kept abreast of the events that were going on in Haiti. What I learned from these obsevances, is that Western man will never understand Haitians as Haitians themselves understand what it is to be Haitian. Therefore any attempt by Western man to impose its will on Haiti will fail, no matter what government is in place. You dont have to agree with this, but this is what I concluded from my observations. Getting back to the issue, I decide that the only way, or maybe the better way for Haiti, to extract itself from the morass that it is in, would be to infuse it with large amounts of AID for a sustained period of time, that would be used for various

developmental projects, thereby severing the dependency on foreign powers, that are mostly interested in their own interest.

Lately, it seems that the noose is about to get a little tighter because Haiti's leaders have nowhere else to turn. To counteract this delibilating situation, I am ready to apply all my skills, resources and knowledge, to this plan so that we can at least celebrate our 200th aniversary, with dignity and honor. Though the plan seems complicated right now, I think that with willing minds, determination and God, we might be able to achieve something that has eluded us to the present time. Please keep in contact, as your corespondance gives me the courage to continue my dream, which is the liberation of Haiti from poverty and under development.

jo_joseph_99@Yahoo.com

[AyitiApBon]

Jo

What are your Plans?

How would it work?

How would the investments be "concrete" so as not to......be on fishing for Haiti bu teachin Haiti how to fish for itself.?

Where would the investment be focused?

How TRANSPARENT would the organization be?

How long will those plans be?

When can we satrt?

How can we help?

"Avek tet Ansanm Wayom Ayisien a ap kampe..."

"With Union The Haitian Empire will stand .."

[amwe88]

The answer to some of your questions is :

My plans are to pursue this idea of a "Haitian Development Fund" to the best of my abilities. First I want to get a good impression of how the Haitian population will react to such a plan. So far the responses have been very positive. Unforunately, the message has not been spread out far enough yet, for me to determine it's overall impact.

The way the "Haitian Development Fund" would work, is as I stated in my original message. Haitian nationals who are living abroad and even some who are living in Haiti, would set aside a certain portion of their yearly income (no more than $300) into this fund, for the betterment of their country and their dignity.

Of couse all of the legal precedents would have to be in place beforehand , to enable Haitians to feel confident enough to invest in such a fund.

The purpose of this fund would enable Haitians living in Haiti to initially lay the groundwork for self sufficiency. Those employed towards that goal, would at least have a job and a future by helping to rebuild the infrastructures that have been allowed to deteriorate by a lack of money and bad management. The infrastructures which I am reffering to include, irrigation, roads, reforestation, alternative sources of fuel, fisheries, husbandry, health, education, security, transportation, modern farming techniques, low cost housing for the poor, beautification of tourist sites etc. The purpose of this fund would be to initiate all these initiatives on a wide scale basis, which would enable Haitians to fish for themselves, instead of having others fish for them.

How transparent would this fund be ? It would become very transparent, after the initial steps to install it. After all, allot of advertisement within the community, will probably be needed to obtain sufficient interest. My vision is that this plan, if ever implemented, would remain free from politics, until its mandated term of 5 years.

How can you help ? By remaining in contact with me and providing me with ideas, suggestions and impressions, whenever possible. Your support will enable me to continue in my qwest to have this thing installed, before or at the 200 year of our independance.

Thank you for replying to my post.

P.S. Haitian Empire ???

jo_joseph_99@yahoo.com

[fanmnwe]

Greetings,

I think that the idea of 400K Haitians paying $300 a year for 5-6 years to raise $600 million is great! There are at least 2 million of us in the United STates (probably more) and so many in Canada, Europe and Africa. Many are professionals. We pay more in long distance calls in a year. So with organized effort we can do it. We should start out with a big mailing. Let artists such as Wyclef and buddies work for this fund by doing benefit concerts and donating a modest percentage of their record/cd sales. It can be done. I am astounded by how much money was raised in such a short time for the 911 victims in NYC! It took a couple of months to raise more than a 1 billion! for less than 3K people! Why can't this be done for blacks and so-called third world folks who don't have insurance and other sympathetic avenues to raise the money needed for their daily sustenance.

Unfortunately, what the benefits for 911 have shown me is that their is a premium on life and the old adage that "if you're white you're right, if you're brown, you're down, if you're red you're dead, if you're yellow, you're mellow and if you're black get back" is still true. But like my ancestors, I vow to disqualify this in my lifetime through hardwork and determination. And with truth and righteousness on my side I will beat down the yoke of downpression and help to rebuild Ayiti so that I and my children and their children can be proud too. A nation-state is so important for an immigrant group. Look at Japan for example, their ex-patriates in the U.S. benefit a great deal from their nation-state's position in world politics and economics. Don't let's talk about occupied Palestine/Israel. That's the best example of the importance of nation-state to a people's self-and identity formation. We need to rebuild a strong Ayiti and we can start by donating to a yearly fund run by trustworthy professionals.