“My time at HCN has been the most rewarding experience. I’ve realized that a lot of dedication and teamwork helps to grow the organization towards a better future for Haitian students. I am so proud that we raised close to $22,500 for the first annual Hope for Haiti Benefit auction this past May 4, and this, to me, means the world to the students on the waiting list who can now have an affordable education. It’s been a challenge working at HCN, but overall it was probably the best time of my life getting to know everyone that I worked with and how much time and effort we put into making HCN a bigger and better success! I believe in the vision that Kristen has for the organization, and I know for a fact that in the next few years, the organization will grow and provide all of the students on the waiting list an education and job placement upon graduation.”

-Kaitlin Specht

“My time here at HCN has been wonderful. Our mission and compassion for what we do is tangible amongst all of the volunteers and staff. Kristen, along with my fellow interns have been like a second family to me over these last six months. Our Hope for Haiti Auction was a fun and successful way to end our semester, and next year we can hope to raise more awareness and profit! Thanks again HCN!”

- Jenna Ludman

“Interning at HCN, I have had high points and low points but, it has been a very worthwhile internship. I’ve become enthralled with HCN’s goal and wanted to use my skills to the best of my abilities to spread the awareness of HCN. Even the experiences that I have had, working with other interns, and having to do multiple projects at the same time, will definitely remain with me and help me prepare for when I attain my first job.”

- Christina Ottey

“I really enjoyed my time here at HCN. It was amazing working with Kristen Hertzog and the relationship I made with her, Arlene Hertzog, and my fellow interns. I learned so much from interning at HCN, how to target to certain audiences, conservative/Amish/Mennonite, religious, and secular, how to work, and communicate with people with different views than myself. I am learning how to better advertise for an event like the mixer because we had to go through and cancel it. I would say it was a great learning experience interning at HCN. HCN gave me the opportunity to do more extensive work in the field I hope to find a job in. We did not have to do grunt work like most interns at other organizations, I actually really learned. I planned a huge event, an auction, with no experience planning an auction or planning an event. That was the greatest experience. I also gained experience doing planning, advertising, and media for the auction. I think for a first auction, with not enough planning time/working on better communication it went very well because we made $22,500. I learned that we should spend a lot less on food for the auction and we should start planning for the auction at least 6 months ahead of time, it would be better if it were a year. I thank you Kristen for giving me a great first internship experience! I appreciate all your time, help, and patience with someone learning the field. I also appreciated your feedback and advice. I would love to help HCN in the future somehow. It is a great, and very rewarding organization.”

- Kelly Hess

2. About

–>What is HCN?
–>Why a Computer Center?
–>Who Benefits?
–>HCN Provides:
–>Administration:
–>Friends & Allies

3. Programs & Projects

–>Higher Education:
——–>CIE
——–>UoPeople
——–>The Saylor Foundation

–>ESL Program
–>Graduate Internships
–>Studio Apartment Rentals

4. Get Involved

–>SUPPORT US
——–>Donate Here
–>Volunteer
–>Schedule a Presentation/Visit Haiti
–>Monthly Newsletter

5. Contact Us

6. Follow Us!

–>Facebook
–>Twitter
–>Youtube

7. HCN News Blog 

During mall hours on April 27, Haitian Connection Network, along with other agencies, will receive one point for each dollar spent at the Mall by our beloved supporters. The agency which has the greatest number of points will receive $3000; the second place agency will receive $2500; third place will receive $2000 and the fourth will receive $1500. Six additional agencies will be selected randomly to receive $500. 

Agencies, like HCN, will have tables set to explain what they are doing, and future plans. So, stop by and say hello! Also, during this time shoppers who visit 10 or more of the tables will be included in a drawing for two kindle fires along with other prizes.

Try this delicious recipe!

When a Haitian family is fortunate enough to have meat for a meal you will find them eating beef, goat, or most often chicken.

Here’s a delicious Haitian Chicken Recipe for you to try…

Haitian Chicken

2 ½ lb. Chicken, cut up

¼ Cup Lime Juice

2 ½ Tsp. Dry Mustard

½ Tsp. Black Pepper

¼ Tsp. Paprika

1 Tbsp. Chili Powder

Pinch of Red Pepper

1 Lg. Garlic Clove

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Tsp. Salt

2 Tbsp. Basil

Arrange Chicken Skin Side Down in Shallow Baking Dish. Combine Remaining Ingredients in small bowl. Pour over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours. Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes.  Turn and bake 30 more minutes, basting. Broil until Brown. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Enjoy!

Heidi

-Julie Price

January 12, 2013 marked the three year anniversary of Haiti’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake that claimed over 222,000 lives and devastated the Port-au-Prince region.  Much attention has been given concerning the fate of the $7.5 billion of international aid designated for Haiti. Many are asking why the repercussions of this money are not more visible. Approximately half of the money has been spend on relief aid: tents, food and water, medical needs, etc. These certainly saved countless lives following the quake, yet fail to contribute to a lasting infrastructure.  Only a small portion of the aid money, about $215 million, went to the survivors’ most persistent needs: permanent housing. Joseph Leitmann, manager of the Haiti Reconstruction Fund claims that “Housing is difficult and messy, and donor shied away from it”. Instead, donors invested most in sectors such as transportation, health, education, water and sanitation. Jessica Faieta, senior country director of the United Nations Development Program in Haiti, laments this fact: “One area where the reconstruction money didn’t go is into actual reconstruction”.

Yet significant strides have taken place. Over half of the 10 million cubic meters of debris has been removed, with about 20% being recycled. The American Red Cross has spent 70% of its $193 million in the “Neighborhood and Housing Recovery” sector which has proven to be the largest of their programs in Haiti. According to the World Bank, the Haitian government has pledged to pay school tuition for 900,000 children with donors financing tuition for an additional 230,000 children.

So let us not forget to pray for our Haitian neighbors, as many are still struggling with the effects of the earthquake. For more information about post-earthquake Haiti, visit these sites:

Time World

Unicef

Huffington Post

New York Times

Photo curtsey of Damon Winters/The New York Times

Try this Haitian Recipe:

Some of my close friends and family have been on mission trips to Haiti and have enjoyed this dish. Give this recipe a try enjoy

Creole Chicken Sauce

4 chicken breasts

2 large tablespoons of tomato paste

4 cups of chicken broth

2 large chicken bouillon cubes

1 onion

1 green pepper

Thyme and Parsley tied together in a little bunch

2 cloves of garlic

1 leek

1 tsp. of salt

1 hot pepper for taste (take out before serving)

Cover chicken with about 6 cups of water, 2 bouillon cubes, and cook.

Save broth for sauce.

Pestle and mortar 2 or 3 garlic cloves, 1 small leek, and 1 tsp. salt.

Take 1/2 cup of the broth and put into sauce pan and bring to a boil, add garlic/leek mixture and green pepper, cook 3 minutes, add tomato paste and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Don’t burn. Add 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth, parsley and thyme and hot pepper. Bring to boil and cook for 30 to 45 minutes until it starts to boil down a little bit and becomes less watery looking.

This dish is best served over rice and most often served with red beans. You will be amazed how this slow cooked sauce will make a wonderful dish. Some people make this very spicy but this can be season to your taste.

Enjoy!!

-Heidi

I want to encourage and congratulate any individual among the HCN’s connections for the kind of motivation, strength, and willingness you have shown in order help people. Frankly, this is a sign that you are eager to see the world to be more peaceful place, with no economic crisis, specifically in Haiti.

I have fully benefited two years of study freely, thanks to generous people who believe in me, although they do not know me. In fact, I want to inform you that everything is completely achieved, because I was studying at University of the people since November2010, now I have fully completed my education, with an Associate Degree program in Business Administration.

I remember that quote from that unknown author, “education is the key that opens all barriers, regardless race, gender, geographical location, country of neither birth nor social class.” I want to let you know that quote is straightforwardly proved with HCN.

A special thanks to Kristen for your hard work, as you always say, you have one foot in Haiti and another one in the States. We are really proud to meet you, because you deeply contribute to help our dreams becoming true. I don’t have anything to offer you; however, I want to let you know that I will daily struggle to show the result of your efforts through my success. We cannot forget the time you spent with us whether electronically or in person, just to help us staying motivated, sometimes you even sacrifice time with your family in the purpose to see how things can be improved in Haiti.

Although I have completed my education and will not come to HCN daily, mentally we are forever bonded because you’re daily living in my mind. By thinking of you, I think of Mother Teresa who dedicated her life to help others, you are like her. I believe that God will have a special eye on you, and you all.

Warms Regards,

Louvedo Ilan
January 17, 2013
Tomassin, Haiti

I am a high school teacher by trade.  Giving quizzes is in my blood.  So let’s take a quiz to see how much you know about Haiti:

1. After former slaves declared their independence on January 1st, 1804, they named their country “Ayiti” or “Haiti” for us English speakers. What does the word “Haiti” mean?
2. “Ayiti” comes from what two languages?
3. Who discovered Haiti?
4. Through the importation of slaves and considerable environmental degradation, Haiti became one of the wealthiest Colonies in the Caribbean. What industries were the back bone of this wealth?
5. What is the official language of Haiti?  What is the unofficial language of Haiti?
6. What the capital of Haiti?

Try to answer the question without looking at the answers below.  Post how you did!

Scott