Wyclef Jean, former Fugees rapper keeps Haiti in his heart Fatima Dupres- Griffiths explores this great artist and his hope for his homeland Haiti.
Wyclef Jean, better known as a singer/songwriter of the now disbanded innovative rap group, The
Fugees, has been a frontline advocate for his native Haiti since the earthquake disaster. Haitian born musician and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, Wyclef visited Haiti to evaluate the help required by his people. During a USA press conference at a New York Hotel on 18th January 2010, he told reporters that the president of the devastated Caribbean nation, Rene Perval asked for his help with a plan to evacuate at least 2 million Haitains out of Port-au-Prince. Wyclef said: “What I am calling for is not the usual response to housing a population displaced by a natural disaster. What I am calling for is a plan that takes into account the nature of a population of a city which has grown in recent years mainly because of people coming from all over the country to seek a better life…”
Since the calamity struck, Wyclef’s foundation, Yele Haiti has had one of the highest profiles as a trusted charity to aid the Haitian people, and played a pivotal role in The Hope/Help & Relief Haiti Group who organised “ A Night of Humanity at Urban Zen, New York to raise money to send 50,000 tents to Port-au-Prince for earthquake victims to have a place to live, costing $1,000 each. Wyclef’s proposal was to create tent cities dispersed around Haiti to facilitate those evacuating from the capital to their original communities.
Referring to his charitable foundation, Yele Haiti, the rapper told the press the focus was on getting emergency supplies to Haiti and getting them distributed safely to those in need, along with a communications plan. Wyclef understands that festivities won't stop because of Haiti's pain. However, he said he's partying with a purpose."…
Super Bowl in Miami is one of the greatest Super Bowls," Jean said a few hours before his performance at Eden Roc as part of 944's weeklong Super Bowl bash. He added: "But something I love about Miami is like, they know how to party hard, but at the same time, what was incredible to me was, somewhere in people's head, it's like, 'But let's not forget Haiti' at the same time,
which is incredible." Indeed, stars spoke out about Haiti during that week of decadence and raised funds for relief aid. Wyclef joined top celebrities: P Diddy, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and former President, Bill Clinton in Miami for the BET "SOS Saving Ourselves, Help for Haiti" telethon and concert. Wyclef was also part of last month's "Hope For Haiti Now" telethon, including artists, Alicia Keys, John Legend and Beyonce, that raised more than $60 million.
However, his charity, Yele Haiti was at the centre of speculation after the quake when financial irregularities were allegedly uncovered. Since then, Yele has a new accounting firm, and Wyclef says the company will introduce a new board shortly. Countering allegations, he told press: “Have we made mistakes? Yes. Did I use Yele’s funds for personal gain? No. Yele’s book are open and transparent and we have been given a clean bill of health by an external auditor every year since we started." He added: “We've learned from mistakes and we're moving forward. It's all about organization. I think moving forward, we will be one of the greatest NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to come out of Haiti because of the fact that we're Haitian and we implement on the ground, and we know our people on the ground." While helping rebuild Haiti, a task he believes will take 25 years, Wyclef's still focused on his music, and if you saw him perform at St Lucia’s Jazz Festival in May last year, you’d appreciate his genius and energy. "When you have drama, that's when you have the best music," he said, laughing.
Referring to current work, he said: "That album's almost finished. I think that will probably be
the best Wyclef album, because that's a lot to write about."
Wyclef’s Yele Haiti, a non-profit organization, has raised almost $10 million dollars in donations since the earthquake struck Haiti in January.Yele has taken a total of $9,139,324 in donations since a 7.0 earthquake levelled Port-Au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. The organization, has been accused of mismanaging funds, after $105,000 was allegedly paid into Zakiya Khatou-Chevassus bank account, Wyclef’s PA. Wyclef said on his Twitter: “If you Ride with me you are on the Right side or you can follow your slave master and believe what he tells you. Yele Haiti 4 life. Since some of you like to believe everything you read without having Facts pass this around! "Wyclef is An Alien from out of space. I have been spending money on my country since I was a Fugees! Why is it now after the Quake I am being Excuse! They fear I’m gaining ground.”
Despite controversy and amidst various negative allegations, Wyclef continues to do positive worksusing his incredible creative genius to inspire others and provide practical and economic help to his native Haitians, keeping Haiti in his heart and giving Haitians the necessary assistance from the heart.
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