NEWS & ANALYSIS
Haitian entrepreneurs unwavering during crisis
By Dan Delmar The Suburban Young Haitian business leaders like Kerlande Mibel still have family members missing in her native country, but the magnitude of the tragedy still hasn?t sunk in for some of those connected directly to the devastation. Mibel, president of the Jeune Chambre de Commerce Haitienne (JCCH), was frantically organizing a last-minute cocktail fundraiser Friday evening at their Viger St. headquarters. Even though she still does not know the whereabouts of some loved ones and is receiving morbid news about others via Facebook, the young entrepreneurship counsellor is focused, running on pure adrenaline. There is much to be done in the short term to relieve suffering, she says, but Haiti?s future also needs to be addressed in the coming weeks. ?We decided to help by raising some funds with the Red Cross. First, they need water, food and medicine,? said Mibel, who has been with the JCCH since 2002. ?Later, we will participate in different projects for the reconstruction of the country. Haiti has to be able to stand on its own. We have to help build something sustainable.? The JCCH is roughly seven years old and supports young entrepreneurs by, among other initiatives, offering $25,000 grants for new Haitian-owned businesses. ?We wanted to create something that would show everyone who we are. We wanted people SEASONAL FLU, A (H1N1) AND PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION CENTRE For residents of Côte St-Luc, Hampstead, NDG, Montreal-West and Snowdon-West The A (H1N1) vaccine is free for everyone. Eligibility for free seasonal flu vaccine: ? People aged 60 years and over ? Children aged 6 ? 23 months ? Anyone aged 2 years ? 59 years with a chronic illness ? Anyone who often comes into contact with above-mentioned clientele or with children aged 0?23 months $10 fee for anyone who does not meet the eligibility criteria Eligibility for free pneumococcal vaccine: ? People aged 65 years and over ? People between 2 and 64 years of age suffering from a chronic condition Please bring your medicare card. HOURS January 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29 from 10:30am to 5:30pm January 24, 30 from 8:30am to 3:30pm February 1, 2, 3, 4 from 10:30am to 5:30pm February 7 from 8:30am to 3:30pm to know that we weren?t all gang members ,? she said. ?We?re a force and a part of Quebec society in every area.? A former United Nations worker, Mibel had just returned from Haiti in October where she participated in a pan-Caribbean forum on commerce, environmental issues and agriculture. ?At the time we were hopeful that the economy would grow, even one or two percent. We just wanted things to go in the right direction.? And then the unthinkable happened on Jan. 12. ?It?s a setback,? she said, putting it mildly and trying to find any glimmer of hope from the disaster. Eventually, it could lead to ?an opportunity to do something to help ? for real. It?s time to do things that matter, that will make a difference? things that will last.? Mibel admits that frantically running around, trying to set up the perfect fundraiser is one way to distract herself from the tragedy ? a defence mechanism, perhaps. In a few weeks, perhaps months, the pain will start to sink in, she said. But she isn?t in denial. In one breath, she will ask a colleague to find tablecloths or to change the music to something less festive, and in the next, she will mention how one of her concerns is that the dead will not receive proper burials. Always optimistic, she hopes Canadians won?t forget about Haiti after the immediate recovery and relief operations. ?These are courageous people. You can put NO APPOINTMENTS Cavendish Mall ? 5800 Cavendish Boulevard (South entrance of the mall)514-488-2900
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