Haitian Music Icon’s Non-Profit Executes Latest Food Distribution Effort
PETION-VILLE, HAITI – June 24, 2010 – On June 23, 2010, Haitian Music Icon Michel Martelly aka “Sweet Micky” and the Fondation Rose et Blanc (FREB) family arrived in the small community of Gressier, Haiti to deliver 332 food kits to families in need. The kits, containing basic non-perishable goods were distributed to parents of preschool and primary school students at the Ecole St. Vincent de Paul de Gressier. The school also received a donation of 100 cases of bottled water.
Before the distribution, organized by FREB co-founder Sophia Martelly and the school’s director Father Max Delamour, the parents and students gathered to hear a few words of encouragement from Sweet Micky. Expressing his solidarity with his Haitian brethren as they continue to work towards the common goal of rebuilding a better Haiti, Michel asked them to accept the food kits not as charity, but rather as a family sharing what has been given to one of its own. He went on to applaud the parents for investing in the country’s future by securing their children’s education and told the adults to take the same initiative when it comes to their own lives. “Don’t wait for others to do for you,” he told the group in Haitian Creole. “Be the change you want to see in your home, in your community, in your city, and in OUR country.” In a separate conversation specifically with the kids, Micky stressed the importance of education, as he believes that Haiti’s next generation will lead the nation in a “moral revolution,” or mental adjustment, that will bring the need to resolve the country’s social and environmental issues to the forefront.
Established officially in 2008, FREB was born as a personal endeavor started by Michel and Sophia Martelly and their children to bring hope and help to Haiti’s less fortunate. Following the catastrophic events of January 12, 2010, FREB has become even more dedicated to making a difference in Haiti’s ongoing humanitarian crisis by demonstrating that the wealth of the country is truly its people and that they remain valuable despite the obstacles and challenges before them. Since January 12,FREB has organized close to 20 distribution efforts and assisted countless underprivileged families through individual requests. In all, the grassroots organization has distributed over 40,000 bottles and pouches of water and an additional 865 gallons in 5-gallon containers; 5,667 food kits containing rice, beans, non-perishable meats, milk, and other necessities; 940 packs of diapers; 470 packs of wipes; 17, 280 rolls of toilet tissue; 49 boxes of medication; 27 boxes of clothing and shoes. Many of these and various other donations were collected during the H2O
Concert organized by NOPIN Long Distance in late January. FREB has also received donations from Food for the Poor and Curves International. “The value in what we’re doing goes much further than any of the individual items we’ve donated ever could,” says Michel Martelly. “Each distribution effort has been an opportunity to share with the people the importance of working together as a community and of each of us sharing the blessings we’ve been given, no matter what those blessings may be.”
While continuing these efforts through the summer, FREB is also gearing up for it’s back to school drive. This year, FREB aims to distribute 10,000 school-kits containing school supplies to primary and secondary school students during the week of October 4th, which will mark the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.
For more information on Fondation Rose et Blanc and its ongoing initiatives, please contact Tai Saint-Louis at tai@theremedyllc.com.
For sponsorship and partner opportunities, please contact Sophia Martelly at contact@freb.ht.