In support of our Sustainable Nutrition Project, we received quite a few supplies this week. And quite a variety.

These will travel to Haiti with us in October to be provided to Franckel (our Animal Health Agent in Fond Baptiste) for use by and distribution to the 16 families in our program. By that time, Franckel will also have allocated one doe goat to each family and will have a doe and our buck in his possession. He will also have trained all of the families in the necessities of keeping the goats healthy, happy and productive.

We have high hopes for this program.

Eddy Prophete runs Mission Manna’s programs in Haiti. He sent this note today.

(Photo courtesy of Carel Pedre)

Today (May 18th) is Flag Day in Haiti and there is joyous marching in the streets of Montrouis. On this day 208 years ago, the Haitian flag was created in Arcahaie, just outside of Port au Prince. The flag, like Haiti, has evolved over the years and certainly in the current post-earthquake environment, Haiti is poised for even more change. As Haitians celebrate Flag Day, they’ll be singing this song (penned as a poem by Andre Dossous), perhaps with even more pride than ever, as they face new challenges and new fears.

In the blue and red
the flag of my Country
I perceive your picture
I see your smiling face
your soul dancing in the wind
when the flag is waving.

When our flag is waving
on the top of its staff
it proudly shows the world
our Ancestor’s courage
our strong roots, brothers.

We must stick together
to celebrate this Flag
the image of Liberty
the symbol of our Freedom.

Come to praise our Ancestors
Sing!
Dance!
“Baila” in this “fiesta” of harmony
our National Anthem.

The refrain of the song is particularly poignant.

Celebrate, celebrate brothers!
Celebrate, celebrate sisters!
Ooooh Friends of Haiti!
Come to celebrate with us
the blue and red
the Flag of courage
the Flag of respect
the Flag of Liberty
the Flag of Freedom
the Flag of Love
that taught every slave on earth
the road for Human’s Dignity.

“Human dignity.” That’s what Haitians began to fight for in 1791 and they’re still fighting for it today. That’s why Flag Day, a forgotten holiday in many countries, is still celebrated as a day of great importance in Haiti. Flag Day is not just about a symbol but perhaps even more so about a struggle, ongoing, seeming to never end.

If you’d like to celebrate the spirit of the Haitian people, please join Mission Manna on Tuesday, May 25th as we gather at Jack of the Wood in Asheville for great music and a silent auction. This fundraiser is to not just raise money for our Haiti relief efforts but to raise hope as well, both here and in Haiti.

Download the Press release here: http://bit.ly/bjsfFx

Mission Manna would like to sincerely thank the students, teachers and staff at Carolina Day School (www.cdschool.org) for their generous support of our programs in Haiti. We look forward to an ongoing partnership in learning and giving back to those less fortunate than ourselves. Mesi anpil….