Today we go to Jacmel, my favorite place in Haiti. I could move there tomorrow. Very colonial with a Caribbean beach flair. And very much like New Orleans, bursting with creativity and style. John goes to work at the bamboo farm, which is my dream come true. He says there is a lot of work to be done, but he is very hopeful, as am I.
We meet with Sylvince Jean Paul and his girlfriend Yvette Celistin, artisans who work with tobacco leaves, something I have been dying to see, and I can’t wait to take it to another level. Really inspired, we buy their entire collection. We also go to David Bell’s Cine Institute, an incredible film school that offers a two year program to local artisan students.
Then way up the hill to the amazing home and art studio of Philippe Dodar, the artisan/architect from the day before who is also a sculptor and painter and has rebuilt the iron market which was destroyed in the earthquake. I adore Philippe. Everywhere you look in his environment is another piece of his art. Artistically, he shares so many parallels with my husband Stephan, including building a circular metal staircase just like Stephan did in our home. If we didn’t have enough in common already, Philippe is also a yogi and Reiki master.
That night, we have a reunion dinner with my favorite women of Haiti: Maryse Kedar, who I’d vote tomorrow for president, Lunes, who runs an amazing orphanage and shelter and the inspirational Claire Pierre who works with Dr. Paul Farmer and Partners in Health. These women are the lifeblood of Haiti, with them behind you, any vision can be manifested.
Related posts:
- RETURN TO HAITI: ART AND SOUL – DAY 3
- RETURN TO HAITI: ART AND SOUL – DAY 2
- RETURN TO HAITI: ART AND SOUL – DAY 1
- HOPE HELP & RELIEF HAITI / THE STILLER FOUNDATION BENEFIT Honoring SEAN PENN
- Clinton Global Initiative Forum on Haiti
