Impact of Hurricane Hanna on Bibliothèque du Soleil

Dear Friends of Haiti Soleil,

Many of you have been sending messages expressing concern about the impact of Hurricane Gustav and Hanna on Bibliothèque du Soleil, our library in Haiti. Hanna in particular has become the deadliest storm of the season. So far 137 people have been killed by the storm. In Port-au-Prince, trees have been uprooted, light poles and electric lines are down, and many houses are now roofless. But as Josette Perard, Haiti Director of Lambi Fund, said, "this is nothing compared to the devastation which has struck other communities throughout the country." The city of Gonaives, in particular, is dealing with major floods and mudslides.

We want you to know that the library did not suffer any major damages. In July, a large tree that provided shade in the backyard was torn down by a heavy tropical storm. As a result, the commencement of the summer camp program was rescheduled for a later date. The summer camp program has indeed taken place, but certain events and activities were postponed due to Gustav and Hanna. The activities at the library have since resumed and the summer camp program has been extended for another two weeks.

Kids and students however are directly impacted by the Hurricane. Because of Hanna and other anticipated hurricanes, the Minister of Education postponed the opening of classes. Bibliothèque du Soleil is happy to be providing a space for kids and young adults to engage in educational activities as they wait for school to open their doors.

While the library was not devastated by the Hurricane, many of the patrons who frequent the library were not so lucky. Families, property and businesses in the neighborhood of Carrefour-Feuilles were directly impacted.

For those who are interested learning more about environmental concerns and sustainable development in Haiti, please contact the Lambi Fund of Haiti at info@lambifund.org. Lambi Fund has been working towards alternative sustainable development in Haiti since 1994.

Again, Haiti Soleil thanks you for your expressed concerns about our library and its patrons.

In solidarity,
Nadege T. Citandre
Executive Director
Haiti Soleil, Inc.

Haiti Soleil is Now on Facebook

2nd annual Haitian/Francophone Book Fair at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

On May 24, 2008, Nadège T. Clitandre, Executive Director of Haiti Soleil, Inc. attended the 2nd annual Haitian/Francophone Book Fair at Howard University in Washington, D.C. to celebrate Haitian literature and writers from Haiti. Organized by the Association of Haitian Professionals (AHP) and the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington, D.C., the fair included about 30 Haitian writers from Haiti, the United States and Canada.. Through their generosity, many of the writers at the fair donated books to Bibliothèque du Soleil, the library Haiti Soleil is supporting in Carrefour feuilles, Haiti. On behalf of Bibliothèque du Soleil, Haiti Soleil, Inc. thanks all the writers who donated their books

Haitian Flag Day

In celebration of Haitian Flag Day on May 18, the Center for Black Studies Research at the University of California, Santa Barbara sponsored a book drive and a bake sale fro Bibliothèque du Soleil. The book drive, held on Tuesday, May 20, was organized by the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at UCSB. The bake sale, held on Friday, May 23rd, was organized by Akanke student organization. Haiti Soleil, Inc. would like to thank The Center for Black Studies for their continuous support and everyone at UCSB who made both events successful.

Haiti Connexion

Haiti Connexion (HC), a Haitian network and registered Florida based LLC invested in connecting Haitians all over the world, joins the fundraising effort to support Bibliothèque du Soleil through the Starfish Program, a new HC initiative aimed at supporting educational and cultural centers in Haiti. HC began its fundraising campaign for Bibliothèque du Soleil during the Christmas 2007 Holidays. To learn more about HC, check out its website at http://www.haiticonnexionnetwork.com.

H5 donates to Haiti Soleil

During the entire month of May 2007, H5, a small business in San Francisco that helps companies and law firms manage their document reviews, organized a fundraiser for Bibliothèque du Soleil, Haiti Soleil's library in Haiti. To commence the fundraiser, Nadège T. Clitandre, Haiti Soleil's founder and Executive Director, provided a powerpoint presentation to H5 employees on Haiti's history, culture and current conditions as well the state of education in Haiti. The fundraiser was a success. A monetary donation of over $1000.00 was received from H5 employees. A used computer, scanner and printer was also donated to the library in Haiti. In addition to individual donations, Haiti Soleil received a matching corporate donation from H5. Haiti Soleil thanks H5 and all its employees for their donations.

For information on H5, visit their website at www.h5techonologies.com.

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	A Nonprofit for Haiti
	Supporting a Library