Conditions of Life in Haiti

I love Haiti. From spending four vacations in Haiti, I’m sure that your series about Haiti is true, but I still love Haiti.

The people of Haiti are warm and friendly. I have never felt ill at ease as a white person in a black country. I feel safer in Haiti than I do in the United States. Like your article stated, there is no crime.

Haiti is the birthplace of one of the most thrilling modern primitive art movements of the 20th Century. The frescoes on the walls of Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Port-au-Prince are the Bible stories in a Haitian setting with a riot of color. They are pure joy. The children of Holy Trinity Episcopal School are an inspiration. The best musicians in the school orchestra have been guests of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood. I understand that the musicians of the Boston Symphony have never seen more gifted and devoted musical students. This fine school orchestra has appeared on the CBS Sunday Morning TV Show.

I am proud to be able to pay the full tuition of $150 per year for a student in the trade school at Holy Trinity. My gift enables a young person to learn a trade and find employment.

The parents of the students at Holy Trinity sell wonderful native crafts in the church gift shop to help cover the tuition of their children.

The paintings, wood carvings, and metal sculpture of Haiti are the most exciting things to buy in the whole Caribbean.

I have run into some State Department people stationed in Haiti. They describe Haiti as the “best kept secret in the Caribbean” and the favorite post they have had.

Yet the bad press about Haiti continues. I have friends that are thrilled about an upcoming trip to Russia, and yet people are afraid to go to Haiti.

I hope they go and see Haiti for themselves. It has problems, but it is a fascinating and rewarding place to visit, and the Haitians will welcome them with open arms.

GERALD MOYER

Manhattan Beach