IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

HAITI MATTERS

SERIES 6

Tuesday, November 22 @ 2:45PSomerville High School Auditorium Stage

Presented by SHS Haitian Club

IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

THE MATTER SPEAKS SERIES

is an interactive event that allows social issues to be shared upon—by both youth and adults. In February 2016, a text conversation among three teachers (Ms. Massillon, Ms. Jackson, and Mr. Dua) created this idea for students and teachers to be able to share what matters to them.

This series seeks to provide a safe space to explore self-expression through the use of a creative and interactive medium. We hope to leverage the power of our diverse community as we collectively share experiences, discuss issues, and celebrate the beauty of those social and cultural pieces that define us as individuals and as members of a local and global community.

IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

SERIES EVENTS 1. February 2016: Black History Month

2. March 2016: Women’s History Month

3. April 2016: Immigrants’ Voices

4. May 2016: Election

5. October 2016: Hispanic Heritage Month

6. November 2016: Haiti

IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

SERIES LINE-UPYe-ethnael Francois &

Saradiya Mordan

Laury Belizaire

Jackie Eloi

Sheba Odena & Kemissa Osit

Ye-ethnael Francois & Patrice Michel-Pericles

Youdson Felix

IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

To be Haitian today is to know a world that will try to write a culture’s/country’s obituary for you, every year. A natural disaster in time can be forgotten, but Haiti’s independence and its longevity can never be.

Therefore, the identity of Haitians today will continue to be a continuation of what it has always been: this incredible solidarity with each other, which makes it possible for them to strive.

Since the beginning, Haiti has always been more than just a charity hotspot; it is a country of personal goodwill and stunning artistic accomplishment.

A people who have endured so much are able to always uphold and celebrate its strength in community and pride.

IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

A POEM FOR HAITI- By Dr. Maya Angelou

Homo sum. Humani nil a me alienum puto!

I am a human being

Nothing human can be alien to me!

This statement was made

By Terentius Afer.

Terentius was a slave,

Sold to a Roman senator

Freed by that senator.

He became

The most popular playwright in Rome.

Five of his plays

And that statement has

Come down to us from 154 B.C.

That man

Not born white or free

Or with any chance

Of becoming a citizen

In the Rome of his day,

He said, “I am a human being.

Nothing human can be alien to me!”

I have ingested and digested that

statement.

It activates me

And motivates me to say,

I’m yours

Haiti

Yours …”

SOURCE: Composed extemporaneously by Dr. Maya Angelou, after a screening of Once There Was a Country, a documentary detailing the work of Medishare and Partners in Health in Haiti. The screening was held at the Open Society Institute, New York, July 7, 2005.

IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

SERIES 6 THANK YOUWe (Ms. Massillon, Ms. Jackson, and Mr. Dua) want to extend our

appreciation to the following that helped organized Series 6:

Students Coordinating TeamMeira Downie, Class of 2018Carlea Dolcine, Class of 2019Abigail O’Brien, Class of 2019Beatriz Pequeno, Class of 2019

Advertising Production Mr. Gerlach and Graphics Design

TV/AV ProductionMr. MoriartySomerville High School TV MediaBroadcast Club

Faculty AppreciationNina Yamkovoy, Math Teacher

Special AppreciationSomerville High School Haitian Club

IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

BE INVOLVED LOCALLYHaitian Coalition Office

268 Powder House Blvd #17CSomerville, MA 02144

617-866-7472 | 617-606-2881

is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the social, educational, and economic development of Haitian youth and families living in Somerville and the Greater Boston area.

Volunteer Opportunities: If you are interested in having a positive impact in Somerville as a(n):

ESL Tutor Creole Literacy Teacher Computer Tutor Voter Registration Volunteer Administrative/Writing Volunteer Event Organizer MCAS/Homework Tutor

Email Franklin Dalembert at franklin.dalembert@haitian-coalition.org for more information.

IN HONOR TO OUR POPULATION IN SOMERVILLE, AT SHS,& THE 900+ LIVES LOST IN HAITI DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW

INTERESTED IN PERFORMING?HAVE AN IDEA FOR A TOPIC?

We are looking for all Somerville High School students, teachers, administrators, and counselors who would be interested in performing and/or suggesting ideas for future series.

Please see Ms. Massillon, Ms. Jackson, and/or Mr. Dua for more details.

Thank you.