Wyclef Jean and Together for Haiti

Hatian-born hip-hop star Wyclef Jean has begun a food relief program called Together for Haiti. The country is experiencing a food shortage and this program will bring together his foundation, Yele Haiti, with the United Nations’ World Food Programme and the Pan American Development Foundation.

Wyclef was inspired to start Together for Haiti because of the recent food riots that have broken out in his home country. However, stopping the riots isn’t his only goal –he aims to help the people learn to help themselves, saying “The revolution has to start with the minds of the people. You can’t have a future without starting from the ground. We are not only interested in feeding people in response to the current crisis, but we want to offer them an alternative that can help them in a sustainable way.” Together for Haiti aims to feed 1.5 million people, employ 1,800 people daily, and provide fertilizers to 55,000 farmers.

Additionally, Wyclef is exploring the idea of microfinance, which would help families that want to set up businesses to be able to do so. The idea is to allow over 9,000 families to get themselves out of a state of poverty so that they can help themselves instead of relying on aid every time there’s a crisis. Wyclef knows what it’s like to grow up in poverty-ridden conditions. He said, “I grew up in a hut and went to school on a donkey.”

To find out more about Together for Haiti and to find out how you can help, check out their website.

Photo courtesy of ecorazzi.com