Jean Marc Jean-Baptiste, Community Leader with the "Twa Zanmi" Project

Being an immigrant in the U.S means constantly engaging in the protection and promotion of one’s culture by building voluntarily and sometimes involuntarily a close-knit and protective force. This protective force is often manifested through the food you eat, the music you appreciate, the dress you wear, the places you frequent, the friends you make and the causes you cherish.

One aspect of the Haitian culture that I would like Americans to adopt is the concept of Konbit. Konbit is a form of mutual aid where several peasants come together to help a member of the group cultivate his/her land or to harvest. The process is done on a rotating and/or as needed basis. The konbit can also be conducted to help someone accomplish something that the person would not be able to accomplish by himself or herself.

Tags: Haitian-Americans, Haitians, HAPHI in Boston, sante mentale des Haitiens a Boston
Topics: New Routes Leaders