Haiti
Celebrities Sweep Through Haiti in Act of Goodwill
 Angelina
Jolie and Brad Pitt visited Port-au-Prince on January 13 at
the invitation of hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean and his organization
Yele Haiti. They were given a tour of Yele's various activities
in the country, namely Lari Pwop (Clean Streets), which is an
activity associated with USAID's large street cleaning program
implemented by the Pan American Development Foundation and CARE.
Yele Haiti's contribution to the program includes a song written and recorded by Jean and a hip-hop songwriting contest for young Haitians living in some of the worst slums such as Belair and Cite Soleil. Their compositions feature themes like self-respect, community participation and clean streets. The program recruits and employs street sweepers from poor neighborhoods, who are very visible in Port-au-Prince in their bright T-shirts. USAID/Haiti Mission Director Erna Kerst also took part in the tour of Yele's activities. Last winter, the organization collaborated with USAID to repair schools in Gonaives. Jolie is a member of the charity's high-profile advisory board, which includes actress Susan Sarandon, model Tyra Banks and singer Norah Jones.
Date posted:
March 07, 2006
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