Dom helped organize the first ever AEA (American Employees Association) Festival. It was a huge success, the organizers got artisans from all over Port-au-Prince to bring their wares, there was live band, dj, and even hot dogs and hamburgers, which is a big treat for us here! We saw some amazing craftsmen and truly enjoyed ourselves even in the sweltering heat!
The artisan VeVe who recently won the 2009 Diane Von Furstenberg award this year. Read an article about her here: http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTA2MTg1MDMyNQ==
I have to admit I was lusting after this bags all day. I think they will be added to my list as a Haiti must have!
This painter was so proud of his Obama work. The painting above is of the new ambassador to Haiti, Kenneth H. Merten. The painter worked on this painting in particular for a good portion of the morning, and would not rest until Dominic took a photo with him!
The organizors of AEA! This festival was Dawn's brain child and she put in the work that day and it was a huge success!
I'm sure this will not be the first or my last pitch for RARA bags! My friend Kevin started this company to provide jobs to underprivileged Haitian women and to promote environmental awareness! The bags, coasters, and flip flops are so much fun! Please see Kevin's website to learn more!
This band was so much fun! Especially the guy with the morrocas! They played through out the morning, and made the Caribbean vibe come alive!
Perhaps the people who had the most fun at the festival were the kids. You can see the blow up castle in the background here. The kids are sitting for storybook time which took place through out the day in Kreyol and in English. There was also cotton candy and snow cones which kids of all ages seemed to enjoy!
My favorite part of the day was the tap tap! This is a very fancy version of the tap tap which is a taxi that most Haitians use to get around in their day to day lives. Greg who is pictured above got in contact the Tap Tap association, and they brought this with them. And proceeded to paint parts of it that day with "American" touches. The tap tap's are ostentatiously painted, and the painters use this canvas to canonize their favorite saints which could include Jesus, Lil Bow Wow, or any other variation there of. Want to read more? See the link below.
Looks great! Lil Bow Wow? Hilarious! I love the orange bag that the girl is selling!!!
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