karenansara’s posterous
November 29, 2010
Greater Boston is home to the third largest Haitian population in the United States, approximately 55,000 according to the Boston Globe. Known as the Haitian Diaspora, native Haitians who live outside of their homeland have been said to have fueled over half of Haiti’s economy, even before the earthquake. As pillars of the economy, it is no wonder that many Haitians abroad desire to vote in Haiti’s elections, and a number of candidates have promised them that privilege – while seeking their campaign contributions. Two articles in yesterday’s Boston Globe report on symbolic elections that reflect that desire.
“The mock election (held at several locations) was organized by NY Friends of Haiti 2010, a nonprofit that seeks to mobilize the estimated1 million Haitian immigrants living abroad — about half in the United States, according to the World Bank. Together they send $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion home every year, according to the bank, to pay for schooling, medicine, and food…Almost everyone who voted lost are lative or friend in the earthquake, and most send money home monthly, even to parts of the country that were unaffected but are still stricken by joblessness and poverty.
“For more about Friends of Haiti 2010 see https://www.nyfoh.org/
For the articles by Maria Sacchetti and Cara Bayles see https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/11/29/haitian_immigrants_vote_in_mock_election/