I wasn’t born in Haiti but both of my parents were and when that monstrous earthquake of 7.0 hit, I felt it! 8 years ago I remember being at work pushing efforts of relief and going above and beyond, so much so, I got the shakes and was sent home. I got sick because I was so impacted and felt helpless when it came to the suffering. I thought about the children out there and how many of their parents had been killed. It crushed me.
I even raised funds outside of my job, through a small event I had where DJ’s played for free and we raised over $800 and 5 bags clothing. It was so difficult to find an organization that would take the gently used clothing for Haiti, but I found an individual who frequently went to Haiti who delivered it. That was the year I quit my job and started my nonprofit, Yadestiny Treasure Chest, to help children in need of clothing any where in the world. I am in love with Haiti and everything about it. The strength, warmth, grace, and fight of the people….. really I am a better person because of Haiti. What Haiti has done to help in the formation of America and what it instilled in my mother, I shall never forget who I come from. I come from a people who said no and got their Independence, who stand up when everyone else sits down, who moves and music are so sensual that it feels like magic, who with so little can feed the world, and who knows that whatever life throws at them they will come out stronger. I am Haiti and Haiti is me.
