Workshop on the book: 7 Habits of highly effective people

Fundraising for the biggest cultural event in Jacmel, Haiti

"When poverty and disaster threaten their basic humanity, some women in Haiti find courage in the redemptive power of beauty. " Edwige Danticat.

This summer, the Foundation of Young and Optimistic Haitian Women are hosting their third annual cultural event and beauty is indeed the center of it all. Yes you might say, why would I support such an event when thousands of people live under tents? But experience taught me that beauty can connect to, and represent, a woman's deepest self, and her convictions. That cultivating a woman's beauty can be a way of cultivating her strength, even her salvation in times of hardship. And, in the Haitian culture, beauty has a different meaning than how Westerners see it. It is not just about being attractive, it is about a woman fighting for herself, showing others her presence, even fighting poverty and creating a life around her.
Looking beautiful, in a disaster zone might be one more way of exclaiming to the world that you are doing more than breathing, that you are surviving, that you matter.

Let's empower the women of Haiti, let's support Miss Hadriana 2011. To learn more about how you can support, email me at jocecass@hotmail.com

Inauguration du Local de la FJHO

L'inauguration de notre local a ete permis grace au support de Carmen Tejedor, membre fondatrice de ACPP. ( The inaugration of our space was possible thanks to Carmen Tejedor, one of the founders of ACPP)

 Un reve devenu une realite ( A dream come true)

 Sky is the limit

 Telay, performing the song: " Besame"

 The general coordinator, Jocelyne Firmin and the president, Joanne Shirley

 La musique etait au rendez vous ( the music was on top)

 Let's rejoice this moment ( Rejouissons ce moment)

 We are one big happy family

 Sky is the limit! ( Dream big) Revons grand!

Empowering young Haitian women

Thank you for your speech M. mayor.

Read this documentary about the Foundation by Tiana

Please check out this article about my foundation. Thanks for sharing it with other people. Your support is greatly appreciated.

or download the full PDF by clicking here http://sombraprojects.com/wp-content/uploads/PDF/Sombra_Projects_002_jeunes_haitiennes.pdf

FJHO s'engage dans la protection de l'environnement( FJHO gets involved in protecting the environment)

La Fondation des Jeunes Haitiennes Optimistes a decide d'entreprendre un voyage a la campagne en vue de s'engager dans la protection de l'environnement, ainsi de concert avec CROSE, on a ete a Marbial le vendredi 11 Fevrier et on y a passe tout le week-end a travailler et a apprendre des paysans, et des paysannes.

 The foundation decides to travel to the countryside in order to be involved in the protection of the environment, thus in collaboration with CROSE, we went to Marbial on Friday February 11th and  spent the whole week-end working and learning from the peasants.

 Ainsi, tout le monde( avec un esprit positif et optimiste) se prepare pour l'aventure.Then everybody is getting ready for the adventure ( with a positive and an optimistic attitude).

 La route allant vers Marbial. The road to Marbial

 Une vue des mornes de notre pays. Triste, huh?  A view of the mountains of our country, sad, huh?

 La connaissance avec les autres de l'equipe. Acquaintance with the other members of the team.

 Le soir vient,  la famille FJHO dine et discute du plan de travail pour demain matin. The nigh comes, FJHO family has diner and discusses about the work plan for tomorrow.

 Et oui, un homme parmi nous! feministe de tres tot. Oh yeah a man among us. Feminist at avery early age.

 Notre chambre a coucher. On a trop bien dormi.Our bedroom. We slept well.

 Voici l'aube. La journee s'annonce bien. Here comes the dawn.The day is looking good.

 Bonjour Marbial.Good morning Marbial

 On s'etire, on se prepare car on va travailler comme des betes pour renforcer les ravines de Marbial
We are streching,we're getting ready because we are going to work like animals to reinforce the ravines of Marbial.

 Sloanie nettoie la table pour le petit dejeuner. Sloanie is cleaning the table for breakfast.

Un autre groupe fait la vaisselle. Another group is washing dishes.

 Un dejeuner typique du paysan haitien. A typical breakfast of the haitian peasant.

 Let's climb the mountains!

Ces femmes affirment que:" Nous avons besoin du travail plus que les hommes et c'est parce qu'avec nous l'argent va tout droit au foyer e tavec eux il va aux differents foyers parce que bien sur ils doivent s'occuper de leurs autres femmes".( These women stated that:" We need the job and the reason why we deserve it more than the men is because with us the money goes straight to one household but with them it goes to several ones because of course they have several women to take care of.")

Une vraie experience qui a accentue sur la responsabilite de la FJHO envers la jeunesse. (A true experience that emphasises on FJHO's responsibities towards the youth.)

 C'est le tour des membres de la FJHO d'aller chercher les pierres pour consolider les ravines. (Here comes FJHO's members turn to go carry the stones to consolidate the ravines)

 Les paysans font connaissance avec la FJHO ( The peasants are getting to know the Foundation)

Sloanie Simonis, 19 ans, membre de FJHO:" J'apprecie enormement cette experience qui m'a ouvert les yeux sur la situation de nos freres paysans. Sloanie Simonis, 19 years old, FJHO member:" I am so appreciative of this eye-opening experience about the situation of my fellow peasants".

 Edwebine Alexandre, 19 ans:" FJHO m'a offert l'occasion de mieux connaitre l'histoire et la culture des defavorises de mon pays" Edwebine Alexandre, 19 years old: " FJHO gave me an opportunity to get to know better the history and the culture of the underprivileged people of my country"

 Nous  enseignons l'amour du pays a nos membres a travers les services communautaires.Teaching to our members the love of their country through community services

 Peu importe votre appartenance sociale, politique ou autre, nous ne formons qu'une nation et la responsabilite de la reconstruire nous appartient. ( No matter what social, political class you belong to, we are one nation and the responsibility to rebuild Haiti belong to us)

 Meme en 2011, avoir acces a l'eau potable demeure un privilege en Haiti.( Even in 2011, having access to drinking water remains a privilege in Haiti)

 Enjoying life in the countryside.

 Malgre la misere l'haitien garde toujours son sourire ( Despite poverty,the haitian always keeps a smile)

Change you can believe in!