Haitian Times News Roundup – Feb. 1

Haitian Times
February 1, 2019

https://haitiantimes.com/2019/02/01/haitian-times-news-roundup-feb-1/

Haitian Men to be Compensated Following Sexual Assault Case

More than 130 young men may receive $60 million in damages after a couple of Jesuit men was found guilty of sexually assaulting the young men. The proposed settlement seeks to compensate anyone who has been sexually assaulted by Douglas Perlitz, one of the founders of Pierre Toussaint school in Cap-Haitien, and Reverend Paul Carrier, between January 1, 1996 and July 1, 2009. If approved by a Connecticut federal judge, this $ 60 million deal will be the second of its kind, resulting. In 2013 lawyer Mitchell Garabedian received $12 million for 24 Haitian teenagers claiming to have been sexually assaulted by Perlitz, radio Television Caraibes reports. Continue reading

Haiti to Spend About $3 Million on Carnival

The Haitian government has allocated about $3 million for carnival festivities this year. In addition to Gonaives, where the national carnival will be held on March 3rd, 4th and 5th, the other departments of the country will also benefit from that money. Festivities are planned in several towns and cities, including Port-au-Prince, Croix-des-Bouquets, Jacmel, Le Nouvelliste reports. Continue reading

Haiti: Change in the Reserve Requirement Ratios for Banks

Governor of the Central Bank, Jean Basen Dubois, announces a change in the reserve requirement ratios for banks from February, 4, 2019. Reserve ratios for commercial banks are 45% for gourde liabilities and 51% for foreign currencies.

In addition, the reserve formation rates on liabilities in foreign currencies are 12.5% in gourde and 87.5% in foreign currencies, Radio Metropole reports. Continue reading

Haiti Police Dismantle Kidnapping Network

Four alleged members of a network of kidnappers were apprehended during a joint operation conducted last weekend in Jean-Rabel, between the departmental directorates of North, Artibonite and North West.

The members of this network specialize in kidnapping, murder, and criminal conspiracy, according to Mones Auguste, a regional police official. Those Kidnappers are: Polette Masse, Henry Claude Pierre, Emmanuel Nelson and James Janvier, le National reports. Continue reading

Arts & Culture

Haiti festival seeks to reconnect Jazz back to the people

Like many indicators of black culture, we’ve seen an evolution of Jazz that has led her away from her black roots and closer to the upper echelons of wealth, leaving the depth of her sound to be enjoyed by elite whites, instead of the children of her creators. However for Milena Sandler and Joel Widmaier, Jazz — a genre that was birthed by black communities across the United States — deserves to be enjoyed by everyone, especially by the masses. Continue reading

Haitians In America

Haitians in America: This entrepreneur seeks to transform education through technology

New Jersey native Kevin Celisca has a vibrant background. He has studied abroad, built homes in West Virginia and previously worked as an auditor. In the back of his mind however, there was more he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to focus on the things he was most passionate about — education and technology — which led him to create Integrate Tech in 2014. Continue reading

Sports

Haitian-American Boxer Patrick Day To Make Debut On ESPN

When Patrick Day, 26, prepares for a boxing match, or for battle as he mentions, he visualizes the eye on the prize. He stays in shape by working out six days a week, twice a day and training for two to three hours a day with his longtime coach and neighbor, Joe Higgins at the Freeport PAL gym where he also serves as a mentor to the kids who like the sport. Continue reading

New York

Haitian Society celebrates DOC officers at inaugural gala

The Haitian Society, a group that celebrates the contributions of the more than 400 officers within the Department of Corrections, held its inaugural gala last week at the Royal Chateau Hall in Rosedale.

One of the keynote speakers at the Jan. 18 event was Brooklyn state Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte. Her district includes Flatbush, East Flatbush, East Midwood and Ditmas Park and she is the chairwoman for the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. Continue reading