Calgary Journal Online

Haitian-American celebrity uses time on stage to discuss Haiti relief

Pras Michel, a former member of the Fugees hip-hop band, spoke to a crowd at Mount Royal University last Thursday as part of his nine-day speaking tour across Canada.

The tour, which has been planned since November, was originally meant to focus on Michel’s personal journey towards founding PrAsperity Project, a non-profit organization that aims to develop awareness about all forms of poverty.

Pras Michel speaks about the importance of aid donations to Haiti, in the context of making sure they're getting to the right places.

Photo: Holly Hofmann/Calgary Journal

Michel, a Haitian-American born in New York, said he has changed the focus of his speaking tour slightly to address the situation in his father’s homeland. PrAsperity Project will be fundraising for Haiti, and Michel himself will be visiting the earthquake-battered country in the coming month to oversee building projects funded by the charity.

Michel ended up devoting the majority of his time on stage at Mount Royal University to discussing the dire need for help in Haiti, especially with typhoon season approaching.

Michel spoke about his commitment to rebuilding infrastructure in Haiti, and described it as “unwavering.” Michel said he will continue to stay involved until Haiti is back on its feet.

Friney Labranche, a Haitian-born university student who attended the event, said “It’s reassuring that members of our society (who) are in a position to make a change, are doing that over and above a benefit concert.”

Lisa Koenig, also a student at Mount Royal University, said she had expected the tone of the speech to be more sombre, considering the tragedy of the event, but was pleasantly surprised to hear Michel’s uplifting thoughts on how charity can make a difference for the people of Haiti.

At the same time, Koenig said she hesitates to donate money, because she doesn’t know where that money will end up.

Michel talked at length about the need for a watchdog organization to monitor the way donations are spent by aid organizations. He said he will be meeting with President Obama’s administration soon to discuss new legislation that will create such a committee.

“A lot of organizations are collecting money, and we never really know where this money goes,” Michel said during the speaking engagement.

He added that he is worried about donations ending up in the hands of the Haitian government, which has a history of dishonesty.

Katharine Barrette, a Mount Royal University librarian present at the event, said Michel’s depiction of a corrupt Haitian government and unmonitored aid organizations might work against his cause, discouraging people from donating.

Barrette said she might sound like the stereotypical librarian, but people should do their own research on charitable organizations:

“People should look to see where the money is going and then decide about donating.”

For more information on donations, visit http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/crisishaiti