The Fondation Rose et Blanc was created in the unique context to gather Haitians towards one common goal “Rebuild Haiti”. Therefore, it deeply encourages the Haitian community to live in unity and to accept one each other despite the existence of differences.
Humanitarian Actions
Even before the formal creation of the FREB, the Martelly family was engaged in social activities. Since 1993, the Martelly family prioritized its interventions in areas described as lawless, often neglected by others due to the high level of insecurity caused by many socio-economic challenges faced by their populations.
During Christmas time, this family gave themselves the duty to conduct food distributions in popular areas, including Cité Soleil, known now as a dangerous zone.
Later on, while preparing for the formal launching of the foundation, many activities were carried out in favor of the poor. On February 2007, a distribution of food under the label “Konbit lakay” in collaboration with Wyclef Jean of Yele Haiti, was organized for families in Cité Soley. This activity was doubly significant with big international guest such as the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon and former President of the United States, Bill Clinton.
Meanwhile, the Foundation continued to organize social events (open house) to bring people together around the same table and commit them to put in place plans to overcome the common challenges.
Following the formal establishment of the FREB, on September 8 of 2008, the College “Promesse Evangélique” of Nerette, in Petion-Ville, collapsed causing the death of a hundred people and several wounded. The Fondation Rose et Blanc was the first to intervene. Sophia Martelly, took it upon herself, using her own resources in various occasions, to relieve the victims and relatives of victims.
Subsequently, in December 2009, a year after the official launch of the FREB, children being one of the priorities of the movement, the cities of Carrefour-Feuilles localities of Pétion-Ville, Péguy-Ville were happy to welcome the children’s toy distribution program in these districts.
12th of January of 2010: a significant commitment
If 2004 was a disaster for Gonaives, the earthquake of January 2010 destroyed a section of the Haitian population, especially in the West and South East. Hundreds of thousands of casualties more than one million citizens paralyzed by this sudden cataclysm.
During the weeks that followed the earthquake of 12 January 2010, the foundation collected aid and contributed in the distribution to affected families, foods, water and other goods. From January to September 2010, the FREB was very active leading distribution operations in various emergency camps. In addition, the Foundation intervene in “Artibonite” during the cholera outbreak.
2011-2015 Improve the life condition of the poor people
In 2011, Michel Martelly was elected President of Haiti. During his term the Foundation Rose et Blanc continued its charitable activities under the leadership of Madame Erika Rosenthal as executive Director. In addition to the usual activities like gifts distribution for Christmas, and school materials, the Foundation has done specific intervention in disadvantaged areas such as mobile clinic. Misses Rosenthal accompanied the founders in their quest projects in line with the cause they support, that of improving the lives of most impoverished populations.
2016 to present: Revitalization of the foundation
In 2016, Sophia Martelly, devoted herself full time to the Foundation and continued to support projects in various fields particularly humanitarian and social activities, training and awareness activities with the less fortunate people.