The Power of Creative Change

 

 

"AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE WE STARTED TO THINK ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE NEVER HAD TO THINK ABOUT

BEFORE.  WE HAD TO FIND A WAY TO FACE OUR SORROW.  IN GIRLS WRITE HAITI WE DREW, DANCED, AND WROTE.

BECAUSE OF THAT OUR LIVES HAVE CHANGED.  WHEN WE WRITE WE EXPRESS EVERYTHING THAT WE FEEL.  IT HELPS US TO LIVE."        

Sabrina Despoines,  AGE 17

 

"WE LIVED IN A CAMP WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF DIRT. WHEN IT RAINED WE LOST EVERYTHING AGAIN.  A LOT OF PEOPLE

DIED HERE.  I AM OFTEN SAD.  BUT WHEN WE ARE MEETING AND WRITING I FEEL BETTER.

I BEGIN TO FEEL AGAIN LIKE A HUMAN."    

Rosmarin,  AGE 14

 

 

 

18 Adolescent girls living in a displaced persons camp, behind a half destroyed school in Port au Prince, came together after the earthquake to form a group called JEUNE OFEDA; a girls action group. It was inspired by their mothers' powerful womens group who met in the camp.   GIRLS WRITE HAITI supported them with Haitian teachers and acivities until the camp closed in June 2014.  The girls wrote, danced, and developed leadership skills.   They have become remarkable young women.   JEUNE OFEDA is a model for the power of engaged arts and expression to engender self worth, compassionate action, confidence and resilience.  The girls  warded off the misery of their increasingly fragile situation.   Every week a Haitian poet worked with the girls  They created portfolios of excellent poetry and stories.   Two times a month a  Haitian professional dance teacher visited the camp.  They found relief from despair and sorrow by learning choreography, physical discipline and joyful expression.    The girls began a separate meeting for sharing their experiences and life stories;  supporting each other in crisis. They were able to  design a campaign  for mentoring children in the camp. Over the three years they had a positive effect in community and in their country. 

 

At present the camp is closed and the girls are living throughout the city of Port au Prince. We are in process of reconstructing their Group to continue their creative endeavors and leadership development.  The incredible bond the girls had through their camp experience sustained their lives.  Our first step is to meet and explore how they envision their futures.  Then, we can plan ongoing courses, trips, writing workshops and the creation of a book. Their desire to be together is very strong. Girls Write Haiti has been able to send enough money each Saturday for them to spend an hour together writing. Their vision is large.  Please read about the girls and help us ensure that they can have the future they deserve as well as bring their skills to rebuild Haiti.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                            NEW PHOTO   NOVEMBER 2, 2014  MEETING IN

                                                                                    OFEDA OFFICE on ROUTES DES FRERES