The contestants of Miss Haiti are in the mist of a 2 month extensive training period before the pageant. They are being trained in pageant walking, etiquette, and beauty. Even taking classes in yoga and making many volunteer appearance at places like the YMCA-Haiti and the Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve.
We are wishing the contestants and the Miss Haiti Organization the best of luck!
The pageant is scheduled for September 6th
*Pics courtesy of Miss Haiti Organization
A special acknowledgement to Mikaelle Cartright and Little Prod
My article on Jimmy Jean-Louis made the front page! Check out this week's Lakay Weekly!
Best known for his roles on TV and in the movies, actor
Jimmy Jean-Louis arrived in Haiti on Sunday for a different role. Jean-Louis is Goodwill Ambassador for Pan-American
Development Foundation (PADF). PADF, one
of the oldest NGOs in Haiti, has been working for the last 30 years on implementing
projects addressing immediate emergency needs.
As ambassador, Mr. Jean-Louis, travels the world to raise awareness among
Haitians, the diaspora, Congress, and many others about child exploitation. He also feels that he is an ambassador for
Haiti, hoping to change some of the negative stereotypes and views that may
have about Haiti and to help them see the Haiti that he loves. One of the reason he is very proud of his
role as Toussaint Louverture, in the film about the Haitian hero’s life. As he speaks of Haiti, you can see the young
boy who grew up here, moved away to pursue a dream, but who never forgot. “Haiti is in me”, he says, touching his
heart.
Jean-Louis’ stay is short, but his itinerary is quite packed. He will be revisiting some of PADF projects
started after the earthquake, such as reconstruction in the Delmas 32 area and
Haiti’s first tablet makers, Surtab; a success story with their LEAD program.
Jean-Louis is also President and founder of Hollywood Unites
for Haiti, a non-profit named after a soccer team he played for in Los Angeles
called Hollywood United Football Club. Originally
it was created to promote sports and cultural activity, but after the 2010
earthquake, the objectives were widened to include efforts to help rebuild. One such example is a rural schoolhouse they
helped rebuild after it was destroyed in the earthquake, and another in
Petion-Ville’s Cadet area. The school is
completely powered by solar energy and provides free education to over 100
children. The foundation has partnered with The Heart Fund, to draw attention
to the issue of health care access and heart disease prevention. Together they
bring heart specialist to Haiti to provide care and perform difficult surgeries
in partnership with local clinics and doctors.
With all he has going on, I asked Mr. Jean-Louis what he had
planned next. He rattled off a long list
of upcoming projects and other things he would like to do. Finally he just sighed, took a deep breath as
if calculating it all and said, “It’s hard to pin point exactly what’s next, I
just know that I will be here and helping Haiti”.
See what Haitian Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis tells me about what's next for him in Haiti.
Mr. Jean-Louis will also be meeting with the Miss Haiti organization. The actor will be hosting the Miss Haiti Pageant being held on September 6, 2014. He is currently working on a personal documentary film about his homeland. Also, expect to see him in the new series Extant starring Halle Berry. For more info on Jimmy Jean-Louis:
Wednesday 12-12, was the opening night gala of Haiti’s Royal Oasis; 5 stars*****
I received a highly coveted invitation to one of the
most talked about and anticipated events in Haiti, the opening of The Royal Oasis Hotel.To add to my delight, one of my favorite
local designers, Prisca Milliance
offered to dress me.Prisca recently
created an amazing gown and other looks that Miss Haiti will be wearing in the Miss Universe pageant.So needless
to say I was excited! She gave me carte
blanche, and I selected a beautiful beaded and embroidered skirt made of silk
chiffon sari from her Mina Tinera Line.She said she would leave the styling to me of
course.
As I arrived at the grand 10 level structure that is
The Royal Oasis hotel, I
immediately got the feeling of showing up to an award show. Cars
pulling up to the gates, one by one, as spectators packed along the sidelines hoping
to catch a glimpse of someone “famous”. At
times even cheering as the car doors opened, revealing their mystery guest. Once inside the gates, you move across the red
carpet to a large outdoor space where the festivities were taking place.Now, I wont say it cause I hate when peoples say, “I felt like I
was in Miami” as if it were impossible in Haiti, but this was beyond. Haiti has some of the most beautifully crafted elegant sites and Royal Oasis is one such
example.
Nature was the main design element here, where locally
grown and cultivated items such as bamboo, and orchids filled the space.Small tranquil pools of water were surrounded
by beautiful flowers, and lounge seating were scattered about for guest
to sit on.Singers Mikaben and Belo took
turns entertaining the crowd of almost 800 people; government officials,
foreign diplomats, and who’s who of Haiti. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were passed around by well
dressed wait staff, as guest socialized.
The official part of the evening took place with several
key people, and President Michel Martelly, addressing guest before cutting the
ribbon and officially opening the doors of Haiti’s Royal Oasis Hotel. I was again lucky enough to be part of a small
group invited along with Martelly, to be the first to tour the hotel. You first step into the grand lobby with its high
ceilings and notice the front desk with an amazing wall design made of
beautiful blue tiles. I was happy to see,
that though very modern, there were hints of traditional Haiti everywhere. From the colorfully beaded vases that adorned
a wall in the lobby, to the handmade chairs used in the rooms. The rooms…what can I say? You can almost understand the almost $300
USD/night bill. The rooms are very
spacious, with a clear attention to detail, and all the amenities of any
stateside hotel. Most rooms look onto
the beautiful courtyard garden, and others get to marvel at the luxury boutique
across the walkway.
It was a long three
year wait, but well worth it, Haiti now has an amazing 5 star hotel and it’s
called The Royal Oasis.
Testing out the bed in the junior suite
Shirt: Ralph Lauren
Skirt: Mina Tinera
Shoes: Gucci
With actor Jimmy Jean Louis
HM
It was a great evening ; )
** TO FOLLOW, PLEASE GO ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT AND A DROP DOWN MENU WILL APPEAR...WELCOME!
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