By Dessalines Ferdinand
PORT-AU-PRINCE — If you are a longtime South Florida resident and very well-informed about what’s going on in the Haitian Community, there are certain names you must be familiar with even though you may not recognize their face. The reason: those people are or were very engaged in the community, either on a political, social or entertainment level. Merline Joseph is one of them. Years ago she was one of the faces of the Haitian Music Awards playing a vital role in the annual event management hierarchy.
During our sojourn in Haiti for the carnival weekend, as we noticed how Ms. Joseph tried her best to make many members of the diaspora she encountered on her way feel at home, we think it was important to sit down with her for a little talk about her activities in the motherland. We wanted to know why a smart and educated woman who had plenty of opportunities in South Florida had decided to move back to Haiti, a much-challenged country on many levels.
“To be honest, moving back to Haiti was never in my mind,” she said. “I made the decision to move to Haiti after leaving my position at the City of Miami government as a member of late Commissioner Arthur Teele Jr.’s staff, from which I learned a lot in politics. It was in 2009, during a vacation, I realized that my expertise in the political area could be very helpful, particularly in helping the Haitian government stay connected with the Haitian diaspora.”
Making the point that many members of the diaspora moved back to Haiti (most of whom became involved in politics or landed a job at the government level because they are well connected to the new administration) just to get rich quick, Merline Joseph certainly agrees that’s the case for a majority of them, but she insisted her reasons were not financial gain. If it were, she added, she would not stay for even one year in Haiti.
“I can tell you it is not about money. It is mainly for the love of the motherland, the love to help those in need. Haiti does not have too much to offer financially as a member of the diaspora, but the motherland can help you become a better human. I am more involved in helping at the social level.”
While she is often involved in activities connecting the Haitian government and diaspora, which makes us think that she is very valuable in the eyes of the Haitian government, Ms. Joseph surprised us when she stated that has never been the case. “This is the opposite. I don’t get paid by the government to help members of the diaspora when they come to Haiti. Since I know how things are in Haiti, I always make myself available for my brothers and sisters living abroad to assist them if requested. This is something personal to me. I don’t get paid by the government whatsoever. Helping others is in my DNA,” she clarified.
Serving as a bridge between the diaspora and the Haitian government – from late President Preval’s administration to Jovenel Moise’s administration, Ms. Joseph does not recall some bad experiences at all because she said she makes herself available to help wherever she can. However, she pointed out that she feels like they (different governments) could better treat members of the diaspora when they come to the motherland.
“I would love to see members of the diaspora have the possibility to get more involved in motherland affairs,” she stated. “I believe our brothers and sisters living abroad deserve more respect from the Haitian government. But this type of attitude does not discourage me to look for opportunities for them. For example, Haitians in the United States alone transferred $1.1 billion remittances to Haiti during 2012. They must be part of some decisions when it comes to the betterment of the motherland,” Joseph said.
When well-known American television host and comedian Conan Christopher O’Brien visited Haiti last January for three days following President Trump’s comments calling places like Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations ‘sh*thole countries,’ – many were quick to condemn the statement as racist and offensive – Ms. Joseph was among the first group of enthusiastic welcomers at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.
“It was a very good experience,” she said. “Mr. O’Brien is a very open-minded person. Since I was part of the communication group who was involved in the preparation of his trip to Haiti, I was in direct contact with his staff days before his arrival. He (O’Brien) was also involved in preparing his trip. When he stepped out of the airplane, I was the first one to welcome him. When I introduced myself, he laughed and said, ‘Woah Merline! You come to welcome me at the airport? You definitely make my trip more fun.'”
As part of Mr. O’Brien’s schedule during his visit to Haiti, Merline Joseph stated that the famous tv host was natural. He did not have any specific agenda, meaning at any moment he just decided to visit a place or go out to talk to people. There was no script, no agenda at all. Besides the minister of tourism Jessie Menos, of course, who came to the airport to welcome his group as well, there was no motorcade, no heavy security besides two police officers from the Politour (working under the supervision of Minister of Tourism) who were present at some visits. Honestly, Mr. O’Brien did not really need any help; the group came well-equipped for the visit.
Ms. Joseph noted that O’Brian refused to pass by the diplomatic room the day he was leaving Haiti. Instead, the comedian opted to go by the regular way as any passenger. One of his last gestures before boarding the airplane was to close his eyes and open his arms, saying, ‘Let me enjoy the sun of Haiti.’ At the end he told the Haitian communication group of people Ms. Joseph was part of, “See you in June!”
Ms. Joseph is very involved in the social sector. Despite leaving the Champs-de-Mars around 4 o’clock on the last day of the carnival parade (basically Wednesday morning), after about 3 hours of sleep, she was already on her feet to attend the women’s prison in Petion-Ville in the company of singer BélO and other artists for a small celebration with the women prisoners for the Valentine’s Day.
As part of her humanitarian work, Merline Joseph Raphael sponsors a total of ninety-five children from the orphanage called ‘Foyer des Orphelins d’Haïti’. Every year she organizes a Christmas party for them, she helps them get food, school supplies, and clothes.
What would you tell someone who is actually thinking about moving back to Haiti and still a little hesitant? Joseph answered, “First, I would tell that person he/she needs to love Haiti. If that person is too dependent of the lifestyle in the United States for example, he/she would not be able to stay for even one month. That person needs to know ‘lakay se lakay’. Yes, we have electricity problems, some infrastructures problems, and water and sanitation problems. But the country is way better these days in terms of security. Kidnapping is a myth to discourage people to not come spend time in the motherland. There are more crimes in Jamaica and in the United States of America.”
Most importantly, Ms. Joseph is focused more on helping those ninety-five children of different ages – from six month old babies to teenagers who are in high school – who are part of ‘Foyer des Orphelins d’Haïti’. While thanking ‘Mon Dodo Foundation’ for its big support over the past few years, she said she will welcome all kind of helps from members of the diaspora who think like her in that today’s kids are the future of Haiti.
For those who would like to help Ms. Merline Joseph with her humanitarian work in Haiti, you can call her at (509) 36498049 or contact her by email at merlinej4@gmail.com.
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