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PROFILES

Louis Elneus
Founder of HLD

Richard Jeanty
Author & Entrepreneur

Leslie Demangles
Author & College Professor

Danielle Legros-George
Haitian Poet & Autor

Margaret Papillon
Haitian Author

Myrtelle Cherry
Haitian Artist & Painter

Carole B. Joseph
Mass Bay Community College President

Gashford Guillaume
Mozayik Drummer

Pascale Auguste
Haitian Association Against Cancer

Andy Jacques
Haitian Fashion Designer

Phillip J. Brutus
State Representative

Yvecar Momperousse
Haitian Student Alliance

The Maroons
Haitian Writers & Poets

Evans Thesee
Founder HaitianConnection.com

Abdias Charles
Founder of Repair Haiti.org

Mecca AKA Grimo
Haitian Hip Hop Artist & Activist

Fania Simon
Writer, Lecturer & Activist

Nadege Fleurimond
Owner of Fleurimond Catering

Interview: Abdias Charles

		Abdias Charles is a graduate of Rutgers University as well as the chairman of RepairHaiti.org. Abdias left Haiti at the age of 9, yet feels like he never left his beloved homeland. "It seems like I never left because my heart is still there," he said, "I can honestly say that not a day go by that I don't think about Haiti, and its past grandeurs" he concluded. Abdias sole mission is to improve Haiti's tourism industry as well as to preserve its historical sites which would significantly improve the country's economical dilemmas.
Abdias, first off, I am very excited about your project. It's great to see that young Haitians with a mission and who are willing to lay it all on the line for their country. And secondly, thanks for agreeing to do this interview with us. I greatly appreciate the time you set aside to chat with us.

Continued...

BS: How do they apply for these scholarships?

AC: We will contact the schools in order to determine the students that are in most needs. We will also make them available at every mayor's office in Haiti.

BS: Do you think these students will live up to their end of the bargain?

AC: I think the students will have so much fun working with their friends while they rebuild Haiti that they will be more than happy to live up to their end of the bargain. Besides, scholarships are renewed yearly; therefore, this can be motivation for them to hold up their part of the bargain.

BS: Given that you live in New Jersey, how are you monitoring this project and these scholarship recipients?

AC: We have a brilliant and honest young man by the name of Oscar Luce, who is eagerly awaiting our help. He will monitor the project. Mr. Luce also works for the UN. We will also check, and audit periodically to make sure that your hard earning donations are not going to waste. This is a scholarship program if good record methods are kept we can give you accurate answers as to how your donations are been spent.

BS: Who selects them and how is this being offered?

AC: I hope this project become a pioneer one. The selection will be made yearly. A committee will be set by Mr. Luce in order to conclude which student has the most need for our program. The more donations we receive from readers like you the more young Haitians we can educate.

BS: In order to fulfill all your goals, you will need a reliable travel agency who not only have faith in your project but is also patient as things may take some time to reach the level that it should. So are you working with a travel agency?

AC: Actually we have had a variety of travel agencies who have solicited our business. However, we do not have one just as yet.

BS: Earlier you mentioned something about planting palm trees, where would you get them from? How much money would this project cost? And do you need any licenses to take on this endeavor?

AC: We have been doing our research about where to get the palm trees. Our goal is to get them from Haiti or Haitian owned companies. However, if push comes to shove, we will use whichever company closer to Haiti and willing to sell their product to us for a great price. The price for palm trees varies. Our main concern is importing them or transporting them from one place to another. Our goal is not to allow importation cost exceed the actual tree. This project can cost anywhere from a few thousands to millions depending how much Haitians in the Diaspora want their island to look like an island again. It also depends on how much we want to prevent major hurricane catastrophe, such as Jeanne. I said that because the soil of Gonaives is been ruined due to the lack of forest or trees to suck water in. As far as licenses, our goal is to work closely with the Haitian government in hope to receive any necessary papers needed. We have already seeking their help, and are awaiting their response.

BS: Save Haitian History sounds like a great idea, how did you come up with that? How do you plan on developing this project? What do you expect out of all this?

AC: This is one of the most complex and controversial projects we have started at RepairHaiti.org. People simply do not accept or understand how fixing historical sites can contribute to a better Haiti. What is the difference between Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti? Well all of the islands are beautiful, and they all have beautiful beaches, and resorts. Haiti has all of these things to offer and more. The "more" I'm referring to is our marketable history. We are talking about 202 years of history. We are talking about the place where slavery stumbled, and got crippled. If you are thinking tourism you have to think history as well. Every year people flock to different parts of the world to see a glimpse of the past. Every part of Haiti has a story to tell. For instance, Gonaives is where the Haitian flag was first celebrated. Archaie is where it was made. This does not even include Palais San Soussi, Citadelle, Breda's Plantation where Toussaint resided, and more.

I came up with this project after being denied a grant from an America organization called save our history. I applied to the grant thinking it was just history they wanted to save, but they meant American history. So now I'm looking for investors to save Haitian history. I expect this project to be used as a link to tourism development in Haiti. So as you can see this project has economical gain written all over it. It is not as simple as it seems. We have propositioned U.S companies to finance some of the projects. In return, they will be recognized by putting their company's name on a plaque at the site, where millions of tourists will see. In order words, free publicity, and advertisement. The overall goal is to improve the economical state of Haiti while preparing young Haitians through educational initiatives to maintain that economical state.

BS: I know I shouldn't ask this but I know the readers wouldn't forgive if I didn't ask, what is in this project for you?

AC: If this was for any political or financial gain it will not be successful. I'm a college graduate pursuing a law degree. I meet a lot of successful young Haitians who only think of personal success, and never look back at Haiti. I could have easily been one of them. Haiti is not just the land, but the people as well. As the great economist Adam Smith states the best investment one can make is investing in its people. These people are your relatives left back home in Haiti. I honestly think at the end of our journey, as Haitians, God will ask how have you made the lives of your brothers and sisters better? When that time come I hope we all can answer correctly. As I have said before, my greatest fear is to die and never see a better Haiti. That joy alone is all that's in it for me. Having been raised in the church, I know that God knows my heart. If this is to gain financial success on my part I know at the end I have to answer to the one above

BS: As you discuss your project with those that you come in contact with, what has the response been like?

AC: The one offense I come across from Haitians, sadly, is that I'm wasting my time because Haiti will never change. Now imagine if Gandhi had the same attitude about India or Martin Luther King had the same attitude about Blacks in America. I understand their frustration, but frustration does not help any situation. But I have received encouraging reviews from people like Marleine Bastiene an Immigration Advocate, Jean Junior Polite, ex Minister of Information, Author Fania Simmon, Photographer Mr. Patrick Dorsainvil, and many more. Now I'm just waiting for your support.

BS: As a young advocate, what piece of advice would you give to aspiring activists?

AC: All aspiring activist should be open minded, and attempt to merge all of your related causes under one umbrella with others. Initially that was our goal. We wanted to make existing organization stronger by lending our services to them, but it appears that they weren't too interested. We are still open to collaborate with all that is working towards a better Haiti. Our mission is to help Haiti, and not RepairHaiti.org. Often young activist does not research existing and honest organizations that they can make better, and they simply start a new one. Well that's a dollar been split in multiple directions. If you must start a new one, make sure you are honest, have a high level of Integrity, passion, and be very fiscally responsible.

BS: What can you tell young Haitians living in America without a dream?

AC: I thank my parents all the time for bringing me to America, and guiding me to a land full of opportunities. I would tell all the young ones without a dream that not all that breath is alive. Without a dream you are as good as dead.

BS: How would you like your one-line epitaph to read?

AC: Haitians should seize this new beginning.