Entrepreneur Karen Civil wants you to know that the #LiveCivil hashtag is something she truly lives by, and the quotes that she always shares on her social media channels are genuine and heartfelt. The entrepreneur donated $41,000 to Sow A Seed, a ten-year-old foundation that helps Haiti’s orphans. The money is going towards building the Live Civil Playground, a play space for kids at the school Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje, that will foster physical and cognitive development (the playground will also include interactive math games, climbing towers, swings, and slides made from recycled materials).

Karen was able to attract rappers Meek Mill, Nipsey Hussle, record label impresarios Joie Manda of Interscope Records and Mack Maine of Young Money Records, as well as Hot 97’s DJ Funkmaster Flex; DJ Steph Floss and partner Jameel Davis. The boxer Andre Berto also joined these music industry heavyweights in providing financial support for this project.

Kreyolicious reached out to Karen to get a first-hand account of her trip to Haiti, and to discuss her generous donation.

Kreyolicious: What did a playground mean to you when you were little?

Growing up, the playground was somewhere laughter and joy was shared with friends. A place where bonds, and smiles were formed.

Kreyolicious: I was watching the video from your trip. You had this ever-present smile on your face as you interacted with the girls who will benefit from the Live Civil playground. Why was it so important for you to be part of this project?

It was important to to give back to the community and home of which my parents were born…I wanted to give other Haitian children the same joys and opportunities my parents allowed me to have.

Karen Civil presenting Sow A Seed with a check.

Kreyolicious: Epiphanies come with travels. What’s the most important thing that you learned during your trip?

I learned to see the beauty in something that most people rarely see. People see Haiti as a place in turmoil…I got a chance to see the beauty in it, the educated children, the beautiful beaches.. the people committed to help change the lives of so many.

Kreyolicious: Was it easy getting folks like Nipsey Hussle, Meek Mill, Funkmaster Flex, Mack Maine, Joie Manda, and a host of others to collaborate with this initiative?

No. These are people who are not just industry folks. I consider them friends. They believed in my vision, and saw it with me. They came in and supported.

Kreyolicious: Kreyolicious readers know you were in Haiti for a special cause…but girl, did you get a chance to do some sight-seeing, and eat some good food while there?

Yes, I loved the Observatoire de Boutilliers restaurant. The view and food was amazing. I got a chance to see the beaches with Wahoo Bay resorts, and they showed me Haiti and all its beauty.

Kreyolicious: Karen Civil always finishes what she starts. Will you be involved in other initiatives whether charitable and artistic where Haiti is concerned?

The Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje school still needs help in other ways…I plan to continue to support them with repairs, activities and other initiatives.

CONNECT WITH KAREN CIVIL ON INSTAGRAM | VISIT THE LIVE CIVIL WEBSITE

[All photos courtesy of The Purple Agency ]

At 24 years old, Yendy Cave is the CEO of Kids In Haiti, a helping-hands organization she launched. Kids in Haiti is just what its name indicates. It’s dedicated to helping Haiti’s children. Multi-generational studies may characterize Millennials as self-absorbed narcissists, but Yendy is can be counted out of that stereotype bubble.

Based in New York, she travels frequently to Haiti to take care of Kids in Haiti business. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marketing Management, the budding philanthropist is devoted to the cause her little heart holds so dear. Whether its food drives, outdoor activities, back-to-school giveaways and kids parties, Yendy finds a way to makes Haiti’s youths know that she (and a host of Kids in Haiti supporters) care.

Kreyolicious: What made you start this initiative?

This project started about four years ago. I was helping my cousin with a party for the kids of Furcy [a town in Haiti] in December for about 250 kids. I got very involved. And from there, I knew that it would be something I would like to do more [of]. Soon after, someone approached me about visiting an orphanage that needed help. I went to see the seventy kids of Orphelinat de la Main Divine with some snacks and drinks. I fell in love with these souls and decided to definitely start something for them. It started with a yearly party in December, followed by a back-to-school in August, and here I am today, three years later with 300 kids and three houses that I try my best to help.

Kreyolicious: Kids in Haiti…that’s a rather simple name…straight to the point. What do you feel is the greatest needs of kids in Haiti.

First of all, “for the kids” indeed is simple and straight-to-the-point, but only because the purpose is the kids. It’s not about me or anything else. Everything I do is for the kids. I believe the kids need love and affection before everything else. If you don’t have love, everything else cannot be built properly. The most important need after would be their health. Not only are most kids in Haiti not able to get their primary needs [taken care of], but also most of them suffer from different diseases. For this, I make sure to give them an annual doctor’s consultation and provide the medicine prescribed to each kid for the treatment. Another necessary need is of course food and water. Many kids suffer from hunger in Haiti and sometimes even die from it. After food comes, of course, education. Without education there is no knowledge, no principles, no values and no goals in life. The kids are the future, and we are the ones to make sure they are well equipped.

Kreyolicious: How can those who are wanting to get involved, help the Kids in Haiti organization?

I am always open to talk to anyone interested to help. I try my best to answer all messages and email and even provide my phone. Anyone who wants to help can always reach out to me from the contact info on the website, letting me know how they would like to help. The help can go from donating food, drinks, toys, clothes, school supplies, medicine—and of course, money—which can also be donated on the website. Some also like to give their time…which is always welcome, as I always need volunteers during the parties to help out, play with and give love to the kids.

Kreyolicious: Did you take any classes at school that helped you in managing in your non-profit? If so, which, and how did they help?

I haven’t taken many classes so far related to that. But as I started my Master’s now about six months ago, I’m hoping to get more knowledge in this area, as a part of my major is management. What I’ve done so far has been from my own planning, and of course, primarily with God’s help.

Kreyolicious: What advice would you like to give those out there who’d like to start a non-profit?

Please do it! [Laughter] I would always encourage people to continue with such movements as they can only help haiti in a way they can’t begin to imagine. It is hard work and takes a lot of motivation, energy, passion and strength, but it is also so worth it. So, I would tell them to always remember what their main focus and goal are whenever difficulties and hardships come their way. As long as I remember these kids’ smiles, I am more than happy to be struggling as long as it’s for them.

Kreyolicious: What do you hope to accomplish with Kids in Haiti in the next couple of years?

I hope God grants me the blessing of continuing to help them in any way I can. Whether it is for-end-of-the-year-parties, for health consultations and so on, I’ll be more than happy to help. I also hope to find more help so that the children can benefit from more. For example, being able to provide them clean sheets to sleep on, clean towels and so on). The more help I get, the more kids i can help. So, I sincerely hope to find many people willing to donate in order for more and more kids to receive all that I am able to plan and provide for them.

Thank you so much for this interview. I feel honored to be featured and hope that through this short reading, many will be sensitize and willing to contribute. Once again, this isn’t about me but all about the kids. Let’s do it for them and for Haiti.

FOR THE KIDS ON INSTAGRAM| FOR THE KIDS ON TWITTER CLICK TO VISIT THE FOR THE KIDS OF HAITI WEBSITE.

We’ve already discussed the women who are calling the shots and creating a name for themselves on the grounds in Haiti. They are mostly radio broadcasters, and handful work in the print journalism field, and in the digital realm. But what of the women who serve as Haiti’s television news anchors and TV hosts? Ya’ll already know how much I love to do research…Well, who are Haiti’s female anchors, TV hosts and personalities killing it in Haiti? Well, here they are…in no particular order…

1. Shelove Perrin

Like many modern women of media, Perrin has a huge platform online. She’s amassed a community of over 400,000 on Facebook. One of the rare women sportscasters in Haiti, Perrin is the helmer of SheShe22, a sports news website.

CLICK HERE to visit Shelove Perrin’s website.

2. Ange Bellie Andou

Ange Bellie Andou hosts “On s’dit tout” (We Tell it All), a sit-down entertainment show that is a tame version of “The Wendy Williams Show”. Haiti’s contemporary stars sit on a comfy couch and pour their little hearts out to her. Andou puts her guests at ease with a decidedly feminine backdrop. Besides celebrities, some segments center around relationships, skin bleaching, and even infertility. The show airs Tele Pacific 54 network in Haiti.

3. Edelene Vernal

A news anchor for television network Radio Tele Pacific, Vernal has a growing presence on social media.

4. Emmanuella Dorestal

Emmanuella Dorestal is a cultural and entertainment reporter for Radio Tele Guinen 18, a television station in Port-au-Prince.

5. Anne-Daphne Lemoine

Anne-Daphne Lemoine is a TV host at Radio Tele Metropole. She is also a broadcasting entrepreneur, having founded ANDALEM, a startup that develops shows for radio and television.

6. Violine Thelusma

Violine Thelusma begun her career with the United Nations broadcasting in Haiti. According to one source, prior to beginning her work in television broadcasting, she worked for MINUSTAH Radio.

Thelusma’s reports tend to be enterprising, such as one she did about a group of deaf and mute entrepreneurs in Haiti.

7. Stephanie Jean

Stephanie Jean serves as the co-host of a comedy talk show entitled “Demokrasi” on StormTV, one of Haiti’s younger TV networks. She serves as the foil for her more comedic co-hosts.

8. Cindy Cassandra “Caseedee” Destine

When it comes to Haiti’s showbiz community, Ms. Destine is the go-to girl. She is the host of “Matin Magazine Show Bizz”, an entertainment show in which she discusses Haiti’s musical and arts scene.

CLICK HERE to visit Cindy Cassandra “Caseedee” Destine’s Youtube channel.

9. Ginadelle Augustin

Ginadelle Augustin studied at Jacmel’s Law School. But on television law and local statutes are far from her mind. The twenty-something is a sportscaster for Tele Ginen.
[Photo Credit: Le Nouvelliste]

10. Anedie Azael

A former Miss Haiti, Anedie Azael has morphed herself into an entrepreneur and a beauty and lifestyle show host. Called “Glamour TV Show”, the show is just as its name indicates…a blend of beauty and fashion topics. On a weekly basis, viewers can watch her interview guests like designer Chrystelle Dominique of MeJeanne Couture on her show.

There you have it. Hooray for these ladies!

CLICK HERE to read other installments of STRAIGHT OUTTA HAITI.