WHERE WE WANT TO GO

OUR DREAMS

AND OUR MISSION IN REALITY

INTO THE FUTURE

 

 

 

 

The Girls Begin...

 

 

Following the earthquake in January 2010, more than 145 families took refuge behind a half destroyed school on Routes des Freres in Port au Prince.  During the days that followed they created a temporary tent camp that remained inhabited until June 2014.   The young girls in the camp decided to meet.  They modeled themselves on the Women's Group OFEDA that met in the camp. They wanted to dance, to sing, to write and have a safe space together.  They continued for three and a half years to meet at least once a week. 

 

 

The girls  understood that finding ways to be together would strengthen their lives  and ward off unnecessary hopelessness and despair.  

 

Aline Despeines, President of the Women's Group OFEDA, introduced me to the girls one afternoon after a storytelling and art event we offered  in the camp.  At the girls request, I raised funds for them to have an active arts and leadership program.  GWH provided a Haitian writer and Haitian dancer with funds to offer classes in the camp almost every week for three and a half yaers.    Again at the girls's request we formed a council circle with Haitian mentors for the girls to talk about their lives. The council began weeks before they learned that the camp would close.   

 

Regardless of their circumstance the girls were inspired. Their writing flourished.  They learned several choreographies and gained discipline and creative skills.  And they made lifelong friendships.

 

PHASE ONE of recreating GIRLS WRITE HAITI will be a three day meeting to explore how the girls envision their group into the future; and how they want to shape their lives.