One of the organizations that 410 partners with in Haiti is Mission of Hope. They have been instrumental in our efforts to relocate a community of deaf Haitians displaced and left homeless by the 2010 earthquake, to the community of Leveque. Last week, thanks to their consistent communication with the Clinton Foundation, the former president Bill Clinton (husband to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton), was able to visit the community of Laveque and even meet with several members of the deaf community last week. Here is an abbreviation of the report we received from MOH:
MOH has been talking to the Clinton Foundation for a while now, and they asked for a visit last week. Clinton was in-country during the 3-year anniversary and fit in a visit to Leveque! He came for a mid-day visit in a 6 car, 8 moto caravan and literal clouds of dust! Visited the soccer field, water filtration system, and two houses!
He met with a few people from the community: Berthide, Diana, Mackenson, Pastor Beau, Roosevelt, Menorce, Thimagene, and Pierre Richard – each representing a different aspect of the community. Everyone except Mack, Berthide, and Roosevelt (who communicate through sign language) completely lost their words. 🙂 But those three did a great job introducing themselves and talking about their role and life in Leveque. There wasn’t a lot of time for each one, but they did great with what they had!
Most of Clinton’s discussion ended up being with Brad, Mr. Marc, and Manasse (MOH agronomist). He is really interested in seeing if some of the drip agriculture programs that they do in East Africa would work here. Lots of water-related ag. discussion. He’s also very interested in solar lighting for the school and community center. No official commitments yet, but we’re following up…
In Guatemala, Christmas is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, with the birth of the Baby Jesus at the heart of the celebration. Guatemalan homes display handcrafted nacimientos (nativity scenes), often with intricate details of local daily life, such as figures of farmers, vendors, and scenes from nature. The festivities begin with the setting up of the nacimiento.
Christmas in Kenya is a time of vibrant joy, deep-rooted traditions, and cherished family moments. From bustling cities to quiet villages, the holiday season is celebrated in unique and heartfelt ways, reflecting both modern influences and traditional practices.
In Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, Christmas comes alive with dazzling decorations. Buildings, malls, and churches are adorned with twinkling lights and Christmas trees. Streets glow with colorful displays, and festive songs fill the air, creating an atmosphere of cheer.
