Photos

Here is the Hotels classified in Haiti for 2014. The Ministry of Tourism (MDT) launched its classification program of tourist establishments to improve the quality of services provided by the hotel facilities.

Tourism has become big business in Haiti on the heels of the government's "Open for Business" campaign. It was therefore no surprise the attention paid to the country's hotel industry, including the reclassification exercise undertaken throughout 2014, making it impossible for the industry to ever be the same again. Putting a decidedly piquant, Haitian feel on the world-wide five-star standard, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industries (MTCI) has reclassified the country's hotels labelling them on a hibiscus scale that mirrors the more traditional star scale.

The project started in 2013 with the city of Les Cayes having its tourist destinations classified under the program. The government deployed 21 trained officers to inspect and classify these hotels and establishments from 1 hibiscus (same as 1 star, the minimum of quality) to 5 hibiscus (same as 5 star, the maximum of quality).

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Here is a picture of Commissioner Jean Monestime and Dorrin D. Rolle

Monestime's War Chest Well-Preserved

Miami-Dade Commissioner Jean Monestime raised $77,000 for March at the beginning of his campaign run for commissioner. He ended up with the biggest war chest, $300,000. Monestime's opponent Dorrin Rolle only managed to raise $17,000 in the same month.

Rolle spent $14,232 of his, Monestime only $42,000 of $300,000. Four years prior Monestime and Rolle ran for a county seat. Rolle raised $400,000, Monestime raised less than $110,000. Monestime won. What is Monestime's secret to winning? Money is not necessarily a factor.

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Here is a protest in Croix-Hilaire, locality of Petit-Goâve. The population is demanding more electricity.

Petit-Goâve Protestors Demand Electricity Now and Me Jean Alix Civil Fired

Petit-Goâve protestors are fed up in Croix-Hilaire. They have gone without electricity for six months, and are telling Electricity of Haiti either reconnect the transformer, or residents will set up barricades of burning tires on National Road #2.

Another protest, more peaceful, is being organized by Block of Democratic Opposition to order the government to immediately dismiss Petit Goâve Government Commissioner Me Jean Alix Civil and appoint a new municipal cartel.

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Here is a picture of school children using LuminAID solar light. It was designed following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti

Renewable Lighting Technology for Disaster Relief Aid Stabilizes Victims

Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta have developed an innovative technology for natural disaster victims, the LuminAID solar light.

The impetus for their product occurred in Japan during the March 2011 earthquake. They designed a renewable lighting source for situations in which the power grid has been disconnected following a disaster.

Their LuminAID solar light was deployed succeeding both Hurricanes Isaac and Sandy. It is delivered along with other disaster relief aid.

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Here is a picture of Architecture Professor John McRae as he was the winner of AIA Gold Medal for his work in Haiti

The American Institute of Architects at its yearly Design Awards Gala awarded John McRae its Gold Medal Award for his outstanding contributions in the field of architecture.

Susanne Tarovella and Andy Godwin collaborated with McRae on the UT Haiti Project, designing a high school, housing, and medical facilities for Haitian communities. They wrote McRae's nomination letter saying his work ". . . will continue to have lasting impact over generations."

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Many in the Haitian community in Little Haiti are now reacting to new executive order. Haitian activists frustrated as millions are left out of Obama's immigration plan.

Immigration Plan Bad for Haitian Diaspora

The Diaspora in Little Haiti is agitated by President Obama's immigration plan. His executive order says illegal immigrants in the U.S. ". . . for at least five years . . . who have children . . . either citizens or permanent residents may quality for protection from deportation."

That leaves millions out of the plan. What those that fall outside the bounds of the plan want ". . . is a chance . . . to work"

The Miami Diaspora leaders will explain the executive order at an information meeting.

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Here is a picture of Notre-Dame D'Haiti in Little Haiti. Stéphane Gilles, Father Réginald Jean-Marie and Dr. Rudy Moïse were involved in the distribution of turkeys on thanksgiving.

Miami Haitian Diaspora Receives 600 Turkeys for Thanksgiving

Haitian General Consul in Miami, Stephane Gilles, participated in dispensing 600-plus turkeys to his countrymen to celebrate Thanksgiving. Father Jean-Marie and Dr. Rudy Moise were present.

The Martelly-Lamothe government and the General Consul are working together to accomplish a policy of solidarity with the Haitian Diaspora.

The distribution occurred at Our Lady Catholic Church in Little Haiti. Gilles is enthusiastic about returning to Haiti so he can help move his people forward economically and socially.

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Here is the Island of St Tholas where U.S. Customs agents picked up seven illegal Haitian Immigrants in St. John located in the virgin Islands

Seven Haitian migrants were nabbed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on St. John. Undocumented, they came by boat drop on 11/21/14.

No details were available about their number, age, sex, or the disposition of their situation. But the standard protocol is to remove them from the territory.

The U.S. Coast Guard cites statistics of halting undocumented Haitian immigrants in 2014 as being 949, an increase over 508 picked up in 2013.

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Here is a map of Haiti showing the areas must affected by the Cholera epidemic. It is estimated thag it killed 132 people and also it is estimated that over 15,000 people were infected in Haiti in 2014.

Cholera still Major Threat to Haitians

Haiti's cholera epidemic has yet to be tamed, claiming 132 lives in 2014 and afflicting 14,869 others. A considerable increase in cholera cases in Port-au-Prince has been occurring due to heavy rains, with 2,000-plus victims needing emergency hospitalization in the last two months.

The problems are no availability to clean water and toilets; no recovery beds; and no urgent care facilities. The bottom line Medecins Sans Frontieres says is "Haiti's health system still can't meet the needs of cholera patients."

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Here is a picture of Mr. Osner Fevry Jr., aka Nicko Fevry Jr., who was found dead not far from his home in Port-au-Prince. Police suspected that the 34 year old legal representative, diplomat and associate pastor had committed suicide.

As the public learned of Osner Fevry Jr.'s death it was reported it was suicide. Fevry's parents have issued a statement confuting the notion their 34-year old son had ended his life.

They challenge inaccurate reports Fevry Jr. committed suicide. The Fevrys say it is for investigators to inform the public of the facts: a weapon was found lodged in Fevry's left thigh. Was it murder, an accident, or suicide? The Fevry's rule out suicide.

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