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Friends/Zanmi,
April is poetry month, April is English Language Learner month, April is our month, we celebrate 8 years of service in the community. We want to thank all our supporters, friends and families for their support. Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or have followed our work, stop by and visit us. Join us for another exciting year!
Darnell Benoit, Director  When Haiti was devastated by an earthquake, many fled the country. Jardonna Constant was among them, and arrived in New York, unsure of what her future held. Now three years later, Constant has graduated high school, entered college and has a bright future.
When we met for the first time, Jardonna Constant spoke, in French, about the dramatic shift in her life. “After the earthquake, I started going to school under a tent,” she said. “Then, without any warning, my aunt called me to tell me I was coming to the States. She was sending for me.”Now Constant speaks in fluent, accented English. "When you come here young you learn very quickly,” she explained. 'After the quake’ read more or to listen www.pri.org/stories/haitian-teen-makes-most-of-opportunity-provided-by-earthquake "PRI's "The World" is a one-hour, co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston.
ELLs Education Rights Week: Making the Dream Accessible
April 17-24, 2013 English Language Learners (ELLs) are students who come from a home where a language other than English is spoken and scores low on a state language test. New York City is home to 154,000 Ells and growing, they make up 14% of the student population in the public school system. The purpose of this week is to highlight the challenges faced by English Language Learners (ELLs) in New York City and to demand real opportunities for all of our children. The Coalition (CCLOSE) and Advocates for Children (AFC) will hold events throughout the week that expands the community of New Yorkers that are aware of the educational rights of ELLs and strengthens the voice of communities in educational reforms. Join us visit cclosenyc.tumblr.com. Coalition of Culturally and Linguistically-specific Organizations in Support of Education (CCLOSE): Closing the Gap in Immigrant Education, is a collaboration between Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project and The Sauti Yetu Center for African Women.
Poem/Pwezi
Hugens Mercier
Ayiti Cheri
Ala kote gen koze papa
Makaya, Kiskeya, Ispanyola
Peyi rara, tchatcha, peyi tchaka Rasin li soti depi basen Sodo
Mòn pilbowo travèse lòt bò dlo
Peyi chango, digo, peyi kakawo
Tou piti sou yon kat jewografik
Nou desinen la perle des Antilles
Peyi mizik, mistik, zèv atistik
Bèl negrès ak bèl tete doubout
Oswald Durant rele li Choucoune
Peyi bèl moun, marabou, moun damou
Ti kòmè sa toujou ak dlo nan je l
Yo maltrete l, dejwe l, yo boukante l
Peyi wòch dife, bwa mare, fyèl pete
Figil fin pati, sou lèv li gen yon souri
Ayiti cheri, nan je w mwen wè lavi
Peyi beni, bouji, peyi foli
Ala yon ti peyi se Ayiti cheri !!!
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