21883: ePierre: Another failed Haitian (dis)organization (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Evings Pierre <epierre1@comcast.net>

Another failed Haitian (dis)organization (5/14/2004)

	Last November, I came across a Haitian website
(http://www.haitiafrica2004.org/) advertising this trip to Africa, to
commemorate Haiti’s 200 years of independence. “Hmmh! Here is a great idea,”
I thought excitingly. The slogan put forth by the Haiti Africa Heritage
Foundation was quite catchy: “Be part of history in the making,” it read.
And, since I’ve always wanted to visit Africa, this website really peaked my
interest. However, after visiting it several times in search for more
information, I could not help but notice that it had not been updated since
2003. Still I went ahead, and reserved the first 15 days of September 2004
in my calendar at work, (just in case).
	Again, going through the site’s FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), I
stumbled upon two discrepancies that got me thinking. With respect to the
actual length of the voyage, the French version of the FAQ talks about 15
days, while the English version mentions only 12. Additionaly, the site
fails to address how those of us living in the US will be returning home.
Apparently, from Haiti, the chartered plane would fly to JFK airport in
New-York to pickup the US passengers, before heading to Africa. However,
according to the spelled out itinerary the trip basically would end in
Haiti, as if those of us from the US, that will most certainly form the bulk
of the passengers, given the bleak economical situation in Haiti, were
irrelevant.
	Faced with such inconveniences, which I had hoped to be just a mere typo
and omission, I sent two different sets of email to the HA2004 organization,
using their two posted addresses (USA@haitiafrica2004.org;
info@haitiafrica2004.org). Until this day, I have not received any answer
from anyone. Their focus seems to just keep their potential customers
abreast of the certain misadventure by adding a marquee bar to that website
saying ‘Due to the past situation in Haiti, HA2004 is still taking
reservation’, a sort of replacement to their early January note:
‘Registration for the trip will end on February 21rst.’ Yeah, dream on...
	I guess all they care about is our money, no matter how bad their darn
service. More than ever, Haitian organizers are still embroiled in the
business of short-changing those they pretend to service. When it comes to
public relations, satisfying services, they are proven to be the big ‘ZERO
baré’ that they’ve always been.
	Even more frustrating was the results of my many attempts to contacting
HAHF by phone. Their first posted phone number (305-690-6857) turns out to
be a bogus one, and the second (786-290-8827), shall I say, a reminiscence
of the typical Haitian services. “Hi, this is Jonathan, leave a message,”
was all I got on the other line. Imagine that!
	What a disgrace to us Haitians, at this age of great technological advances
around the world, to still have guys of the ilk of Jonathan to answer our
important questions. Well, what can I say? It looks like we do nothing but
breading such mindless folks in our forsaken Haiti.
	Now, I'll be damned if I am to use my credit card to swell the pocket of
these sorts of novice businessmen-wanna-be. That would certainly give a new
meaning to the Haitian adage ‘Jean chaché, Jean trouvé,’ wouldn’t it?  In a
way I would be the victim of my own stupidity, right! I must admit though,
that I am past that stage. No, they will never get my hard earned money,
those suckers. If I recall well, my growing up in Haiti was at best
fruitless, as young men like me had nothing coming their way. Regrettably
enough, I’ve resigned myself to considering those 23 years of my life there
as almost lost. I must say that unlike many of my compatriots, I have
recovered from the country’s social ills. It is unfortunate however that
most of the leaders of these failed organizations, although being educated
here in the US, still lack the prevailing standard of modesty, understanding
and respect toward our other innocent brothers and sisters. So to SOBs like
Jonathan, I just flip the bird, and squarely say no more...
	Indeed, how ironical though that the HAHF folks want to tag their blatant
failure to organize anything, to the failed state that has weathered 200
years of pure misery! Hey, come to think of it, they want to celebrate what?
Please, someone help me here... Poor Toussaint, Dessalines, Christophe and
Petion, to mention just a few of our brave forefathers, they must be turning
over in their grave right now. I guess Mother Africa will have to wait.
Don't you think?


(By E. Pierre: Another pissed off customer)