In honor of Fair Trade Month, make sure you shop a bit differently this weekend. Fairly traded products allow those involved in the process to earn a fair wage. As such, your choice to choose a certain kind of coffee, chocolate or clothing means that someone else can live a little bit better, send their children to school, and afford adequate medical care. However, 'fair trade' means more than pricing. It also means that democratic processes were used in the negotiating process, and that the environment was taken care of properly during production. Celebrate by shopping with a conscience.
From Cool People Care
12 October 2007
25 September 2007
A message from my friends at Mosaic Brain
Hey! Come by Kafe Kiskeya (12th & Benton Blvd) in the Historic Northeast Neighborhood and paint a coffee cup for Mosaic Brain's Annual Cups for a Cause Event. Saturdays, September 29 & October 13, 2007 from 2- 6pm.
You make a donation of $5.00 and paint a cup. Actually, you glaze it. We fire it and put it with dozens of others into our Silent auction, Cups for a Cause, on November 8, 2007.
Then you get a bunch of friends to come the event and bid for the cup. We'll also have lots of art and goods and services on hand to bid on as well!
See you Saturday!
Wolfgang
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Mosaic Brain
You make a donation of $5.00 and paint a cup. Actually, you glaze it. We fire it and put it with dozens of others into our Silent auction, Cups for a Cause, on November 8, 2007.
Then you get a bunch of friends to come the event and bid for the cup. We'll also have lots of art and goods and services on hand to bid on as well!
See you Saturday!
Wolfgang
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Mosaic Brain
19 September 2007
Kafe Kiskeya Fall Update #2
Many exciting things are happening at Kafe Kiskeya, located in Historic Northeast Kansas City MO at 3226 East 12th Street, which I want to share with you! So, I hope to see you soon at the following events. Be sure to check the blog and myspace sites often for more happenings Kafe Kiskeya Blogspot & Kafe Kiskeya MySpace !
Open Mic Night Friday September 21
Ernie Henderson will perform!
3 Innocents & A Spirit
Dream Studio Presents 3 Innocents & A Spirit
All the way from Haiti, this production by the N a Sonje Foundation explores 700 years of history in less than an hour, and offers a post-production discussion between cast and audience.
Dream Studio and Kafe Kiskeya present "3 INNOCENTS AND A SPIRIT", a historical drama depicting the interactions of the people from the Americas, Europe, and Africa, on September 28th at 7:00 pm at Dream Studio, 711 East 31st Street, KCMO 64109. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling 816-914-5096.
"3 INNOCENTS AND A SPIRIT" is performed by two Haitian men representing the Native American and African cultures, respectively, and an American woman representing the European culture. Dressed in era costumes, the three actors weave together mime, interactive participation, authentic historical texts and music to demonstrate the progression and effect of historical events.
The play exposes the destruction and acculturation of the Native Americans and the enslavement of Africans, which resulted in a transfer of wealth and natural resources to Europe. During the drama the Native American, European, and African characters experience a transformational awakening through which they realize their physical and spiritual losses, as well as their mutual need for one another. The three characters then offer each other gestures of compassion and forgiveness, ultimately recognizing the need for healing and reconciliation.
The cast will engage in a post-production discussion, creating an open forum for ideas and solutions that can help towards the healing of our fractured societies. Further information can be gathered at the following sites: 3 Innocents, N a Sonje Foundation, and Memory Village.
For more information about the play contact Sarah Cool at 816.914.5096 or coolsarahs@hotmail.com. Visit Meaningful Communications to download a flyer.
1st Thursdays at Kafe Kiskeya
Mauricio Zuniga kicked off Kafe Kiskeya’s 1st Thursdays series of events on September 6th, 2007. His paintings will be on display and for sale throughout the entire month. The following artists have confirmed their participation in the months ahead:
October 4th Maurice Copeland, painter & poet
November 1st Arts in Prison, paintings and photographs AND John Paul Gallagher, photographer
31 August 2007
Trip #3
This time I got to take my two daughters, ages 5 and 17, with me, spending two weeks in Haiti and one week in the Dominican Republic. It just so happened that while we were in Haiti, our hosts had a group of youth visiting. The following is a description of that part of our trip. My 17 year old got to participate along with the youth group, while I tried to keep up with my little one as she played all day long from sun up (before 6am) to sun down with several little kids living in and near the compound where we stayed up in the mountains above Port au Prince. It was a wonderful trip for all three of us. And TNH Television Nationale D'Haiti filmed the group of American and Haitian youth as they spent their week together, broadcasting pieces of their experience on national television each evening that week. TNH is creating a documentary movie of their week!
The youth group arrived Sunday at Noon. They were met by Carla, Ari & Djaloki of Haiti Travels in a bus that transported them to Gwo Jan, after getting a tour of downtown Port au Prince. Upon arrival in Gwo Jan there was an immediate welcome reception and introduction of "twins", as Haitian youth were paired with American youth for the week. Then they all got a tour of the compound and met key people who live there. They ate a large lunch of rice, beans & chicken around 3pm and then washed their own dishes. They had time to get settled into the Guest House. At 7pm in the evening the group met again and made more in-depth introductions of one another, and the week’s schedule and “rules of the yard” were discussed. They had dinner together afterwards and then played games, listened to folks in the house play guitar and drum music, visited, and finally went to bed around 10pm.
On Monday morning an optional activity was planned, as was each morning, at 6am. The group participants were invited to watch their lunch, a goat, be butchered. Some watched, some didn’t want to, which was fine, of course. At 7am each morning a group Kreyol lesson is offered, which everyone chose to attend each time. Breakfast was always around 8am. One day the group went into the village to eat with some local residents. Later on Monday morning there was a group sharing of what each believed about the other (American vs. Haitian). And then a discussion began in regards to an historical orientation of Haiti and the world. There were a couple of hours of free time before lunch, which was served around 4pm. After dinner the group broke up into three small groups and got to tour Gwo Jan and visit some of the residents’ homes. Dinner was offered around 8pm with a debriefing meeting afterwards. Again they went to bed around 10pm.
On Tuesday, the optional 6am activity was learning to “sweep the yard” and then wet it down with water. They also learned how to carry produce on their heads. And a drumming lesson was offered. Kreyol at 7am again. Then breakfast. Later in the day, each participant got to choose to roast coffee, make peanut butter, cook lunch, and finally bathe in a waterfall on the property. After lunch, the group played traditional games such as dominos, parchesi, goats knuckles, and circle games. Dance and drum lessons were offered in the afternoon before dinner and debriefing.
On Wednesday the optional 6am activity was to milk a cow. Then Kreyol at 7am. Breakfast at 8am. At 9am the group visited downtown areas such as St. Marten, St. Vincent, an artisan workshop, and a souvenir shop. A snack was offered on the bus. Lunch was scheduled at 3pm. Then free time, debriefing, and a small evening meal.
Thursday morning was spent in a similar way as other mornings, with Kreyol lesson and then breakfast. Then we all went to a beach resort for the day called Moulin Sur Mer, which means Mill on the Sea, referring to the slavery era sugar cane mill exposed on the property which itself is a former slave operated sugar cane plantation. There is a colonial history museum located there that we did not have time to visit. It was a 2 hour drive north to get to Montrouis, which is on the Coast of the Arcadins, near St Marc. The beach was not real clean that day and the kids ended up being bitten by sea urchins, so we all spent most of the afternoon in the pool, which was very nice. The meal was great! When we got back to Gwo Jan there was a debriefing session for about an hour and a half and then a light dinner.
Friday was spent with twins in their homes doing chores, eating the main noon meal with the twins’ families, and then a dance performance by a group of youth called Basalik Kreyol in Port au Prince that evening at the Rex Theatre.
Saturday morning was spent in Croix des Bouquets at the cut metal artists’ shops. In the evening we all went into Port au Prince for a concert by 2 Rasin and the play 3 Innocents & A Spirit at St. Joseph's Boys Home.
Sunday was spent eating lunch at the Montana Hotel, the nicest resort in Port. Then the Americans spent their last night there, flying out the next morning.
The youth group arrived Sunday at Noon. They were met by Carla, Ari & Djaloki of Haiti Travels in a bus that transported them to Gwo Jan, after getting a tour of downtown Port au Prince. Upon arrival in Gwo Jan there was an immediate welcome reception and introduction of "twins", as Haitian youth were paired with American youth for the week. Then they all got a tour of the compound and met key people who live there. They ate a large lunch of rice, beans & chicken around 3pm and then washed their own dishes. They had time to get settled into the Guest House. At 7pm in the evening the group met again and made more in-depth introductions of one another, and the week’s schedule and “rules of the yard” were discussed. They had dinner together afterwards and then played games, listened to folks in the house play guitar and drum music, visited, and finally went to bed around 10pm.
On Monday morning an optional activity was planned, as was each morning, at 6am. The group participants were invited to watch their lunch, a goat, be butchered. Some watched, some didn’t want to, which was fine, of course. At 7am each morning a group Kreyol lesson is offered, which everyone chose to attend each time. Breakfast was always around 8am. One day the group went into the village to eat with some local residents. Later on Monday morning there was a group sharing of what each believed about the other (American vs. Haitian). And then a discussion began in regards to an historical orientation of Haiti and the world. There were a couple of hours of free time before lunch, which was served around 4pm. After dinner the group broke up into three small groups and got to tour Gwo Jan and visit some of the residents’ homes. Dinner was offered around 8pm with a debriefing meeting afterwards. Again they went to bed around 10pm.
On Tuesday, the optional 6am activity was learning to “sweep the yard” and then wet it down with water. They also learned how to carry produce on their heads. And a drumming lesson was offered. Kreyol at 7am again. Then breakfast. Later in the day, each participant got to choose to roast coffee, make peanut butter, cook lunch, and finally bathe in a waterfall on the property. After lunch, the group played traditional games such as dominos, parchesi, goats knuckles, and circle games. Dance and drum lessons were offered in the afternoon before dinner and debriefing.
On Wednesday the optional 6am activity was to milk a cow. Then Kreyol at 7am. Breakfast at 8am. At 9am the group visited downtown areas such as St. Marten, St. Vincent, an artisan workshop, and a souvenir shop. A snack was offered on the bus. Lunch was scheduled at 3pm. Then free time, debriefing, and a small evening meal.
Thursday morning was spent in a similar way as other mornings, with Kreyol lesson and then breakfast. Then we all went to a beach resort for the day called Moulin Sur Mer, which means Mill on the Sea, referring to the slavery era sugar cane mill exposed on the property which itself is a former slave operated sugar cane plantation. There is a colonial history museum located there that we did not have time to visit. It was a 2 hour drive north to get to Montrouis, which is on the Coast of the Arcadins, near St Marc. The beach was not real clean that day and the kids ended up being bitten by sea urchins, so we all spent most of the afternoon in the pool, which was very nice. The meal was great! When we got back to Gwo Jan there was a debriefing session for about an hour and a half and then a light dinner.
Friday was spent with twins in their homes doing chores, eating the main noon meal with the twins’ families, and then a dance performance by a group of youth called Basalik Kreyol in Port au Prince that evening at the Rex Theatre.
Saturday morning was spent in Croix des Bouquets at the cut metal artists’ shops. In the evening we all went into Port au Prince for a concert by 2 Rasin and the play 3 Innocents & A Spirit at St. Joseph's Boys Home.
Sunday was spent eating lunch at the Montana Hotel, the nicest resort in Port. Then the Americans spent their last night there, flying out the next morning.
18 July 2007
Mauricio Zuniga Opening Thursday Sept 6 from 6 to 8pm
Mauricio Zuniga will display his paintings at Kafe Kiskeya during the month of September; the first of many local artists to be featured! Please join the artist at his opening on Thursday evening, September 6th from 5 to 8pm at Kafe Kiskeya. A variety of fair trade coffees and appetizers will be available as you visit with the artist and meet others interested in his work. Besides having several of his reasonably priced paintings available for sale, he will also offer a limited number of original, hand-painted greeting card sets.
08 July 2007
Why Fair Trade? Why Kafe Kiskeya?
Kafe Kiskeya was born as an answer to the call to help create a more just and peaceful world, by offering fairly traded art and coffee made in countries that have experienced oppression and strife. The artwork and coffee currently available is produced by individuals, some of whom friends of mine and I have met and spent time with. They live in Brasil, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Haiti and Mexico. These artisans and coffee farmers support their families with the income they are able to generate by selling their products to Westerners who can afford them. Sojourners Magazine reported in May 2007 that “fairly traded goods equal ethical consumerism; consumers using their buying power to challenge inequality. Producers get a fair return on a fair day’s work. Not a handout, but respect; not exploitation, but genuine trade. It’s good for the developing world, and it’s good for us as a society, too.”
Kafe Kiskeya signifies even more that this. Kiskeya is the Taino Indian name of the island where Haiti and Dominican Republic are located in the Caribbean Ocean; a place where my daughters and I have made dozens of trips over the past 15 years. Prior to Columbus “discovering” the island, renaming it Hispaniola, and initiating African slave trade, all of the inhabitants on that island lived in harmony with each other and with nature. Since then, an extreme divide has occurred between Haitians and Dominicans, much like the animosity felt between some who are from the U.S. and some who are from Mexico or other countries who migrate here, legally and illegally, due to the lure of the “American Dream”. So, it is in the spirit of reconciliation that Kafe Kiskeya strives to bring together all of us who live here, regardless of race, ethnicity or social class. I feel strongly called, as others involved with Cherith Brook, Kansas City's newest Catholic Worker House, to do my part to undo poverty, racism and militarism. Kafe Kiskeya is a tangible expression of that desire and effort.
Resources on the topic of fair trade include: U.S. Interfaith Trade Justice Campaign tradejusticeusa.org, Global Exchange globalexchange.org, United Students for Fair Trade usft.org, Student Trade and Justice Campaign globaljusticenow.org, Fair Trade Resource Network fairtraderesource.org, and Oxfam oxfamamerica.org. At Cherith Brook, we have recently been discussing buying things conscientiously, and considering our level of consumption in all areas, including natural resources. When each of us does our part, we will together make this world a better, more just and peaceful planet to live on.
Kafe Kiskeya signifies even more that this. Kiskeya is the Taino Indian name of the island where Haiti and Dominican Republic are located in the Caribbean Ocean; a place where my daughters and I have made dozens of trips over the past 15 years. Prior to Columbus “discovering” the island, renaming it Hispaniola, and initiating African slave trade, all of the inhabitants on that island lived in harmony with each other and with nature. Since then, an extreme divide has occurred between Haitians and Dominicans, much like the animosity felt between some who are from the U.S. and some who are from Mexico or other countries who migrate here, legally and illegally, due to the lure of the “American Dream”. So, it is in the spirit of reconciliation that Kafe Kiskeya strives to bring together all of us who live here, regardless of race, ethnicity or social class. I feel strongly called, as others involved with Cherith Brook, Kansas City's newest Catholic Worker House, to do my part to undo poverty, racism and militarism. Kafe Kiskeya is a tangible expression of that desire and effort.
Resources on the topic of fair trade include: U.S. Interfaith Trade Justice Campaign tradejusticeusa.org, Global Exchange globalexchange.org, United Students for Fair Trade usft.org, Student Trade and Justice Campaign globaljusticenow.org, Fair Trade Resource Network fairtraderesource.org, and Oxfam oxfamamerica.org. At Cherith Brook, we have recently been discussing buying things conscientiously, and considering our level of consumption in all areas, including natural resources. When each of us does our part, we will together make this world a better, more just and peaceful planet to live on.
27 June 2007
Kafe Kiskeya Invites Community June 29
Meet Historic Northeast author/editor and historian Harold Dellinger Friday, June 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. when he signs copies of "Jesse James: The Best Writings on the Notorious Outlaw and His Gang." at Kafé Kiskeya, 3226 E. 12 St.
Kafé Kiskeya is open weekend nights for art, entertainment and coffee. Proprietor Sarah Cool hosts Open Mic Night every Friday evening, and local artists and residents are welcome. Sign up by 7 p.m. and claim your 15 minutes of fame. “Anything” (family friendly) goes – acoustic instruments, a cappella vocals, poetry, comedy, soap box, etc. "Bring friends. Drink coffee. Enjoy!"
Kafe Kiskeya Invites Community
Kafé Kiskeya is open weekend nights for art, entertainment and coffee. Proprietor Sarah Cool hosts Open Mic Night every Friday evening, and local artists and residents are welcome. Sign up by 7 p.m. and claim your 15 minutes of fame. “Anything” (family friendly) goes – acoustic instruments, a cappella vocals, poetry, comedy, soap box, etc. "Bring friends. Drink coffee. Enjoy!"
Kafe Kiskeya Invites Community
21 June 2007
Trio Juju to play Friday June 22 @ 7pm
Trio Juju has offered to play during Open Mic this week! We'll be looking forward to hearing their Brasilian samba & bosanova tunes!
So who's next?
So who's next?
19 June 2007
Kafe Kiskeya is in search of ...
... artists to display art for one month beginning with September. Opening nights will occur on every first Thursday of each month.
... musicians, vocalists, poets, comedians, etc to perform during Friday Open Mic Nights.
Contact Sarah 816.914.5096 or kafekiskeya@hotmail.com.
... musicians, vocalists, poets, comedians, etc to perform during Friday Open Mic Nights.
Contact Sarah 816.914.5096 or kafekiskeya@hotmail.com.
18 June 2007
Weekend Highlights
Open Mic was a great success this Friday! Oh Blessed Thought, a band consisting of 5 students from Mid American Nazarene College in Olathe, played all of their own original songs. They use a wide range of instruments, even an accordion! And their stage set up includes several pieces of yard art, such as a really cool looking gnome! They are in the process of recording a CD at a studio in Kansas City with 5 songs completed and 5 more in the works. We had about 3 dozen folks in and out through the evening. I'm looking forward to others coming in on this Friday to reveal their talents!
I spent all day Saturday at the West Bottoms Urban Bazaar. What a great venue for what they (Foundation) call an eclectic shopping experience! I met tons of interesting people. And I probably purchased as much as I sold! Oh well. I found earrings, a wine rack and an ankle bracelet that I just couldn't do without. The Bazaar is scheduled for two more weekends this summer, July 20/21 & August 17/18. That's where you'll find me on those two Saturdays.
Saturday night after Kafe Kiskeya closed, I checked out the Downtown Neon Gallery at 1921 Truman Rd. Very cool! I even got to meet Russell Easterwood, recently featured in The Star, a local artist who has his artwork on display there. I just missed The Frontier Brothers. But I did pick up a CD of some of their music entitled Solar Power Struggle.
Sunday was fairly mellow. Several of the regulars stopped in for coffee or tea and conversation. I've finally figured out that I do have A/C and how to operate the controls. No more sweltering summer nights inside the Kafe. Although I prefer to have the door proped open, or better yet, sit outside. I can now offer a cool place to visit, should the weather continue acting as it has this weekend.
I spent all day Saturday at the West Bottoms Urban Bazaar. What a great venue for what they (Foundation) call an eclectic shopping experience! I met tons of interesting people. And I probably purchased as much as I sold! Oh well. I found earrings, a wine rack and an ankle bracelet that I just couldn't do without. The Bazaar is scheduled for two more weekends this summer, July 20/21 & August 17/18. That's where you'll find me on those two Saturdays.
Saturday night after Kafe Kiskeya closed, I checked out the Downtown Neon Gallery at 1921 Truman Rd. Very cool! I even got to meet Russell Easterwood, recently featured in The Star, a local artist who has his artwork on display there. I just missed The Frontier Brothers. But I did pick up a CD of some of their music entitled Solar Power Struggle.
Sunday was fairly mellow. Several of the regulars stopped in for coffee or tea and conversation. I've finally figured out that I do have A/C and how to operate the controls. No more sweltering summer nights inside the Kafe. Although I prefer to have the door proped open, or better yet, sit outside. I can now offer a cool place to visit, should the weather continue acting as it has this weekend.
07 June 2007
Gretchen Weible to visit Kafe Kiskeya Friday, June 15 from 6 to 10pm!
My sister and her children will be in Kansas City next week. Please come visit with them on Friday evening June 15th. She says coffee, soft drinks and refreshments are on her!
Keep in mind, every Friday is Open Mic Night. If you want to claim your 15 minutes of fame, sign-up by 7pm. "Anything" goes ... Acoustic instruments, A cappella vocals, Poetry, Comedy, etc. Bring friends. Drink coffee. Enjoy!
Keep in mind, every Friday is Open Mic Night. If you want to claim your 15 minutes of fame, sign-up by 7pm. "Anything" goes ... Acoustic instruments, A cappella vocals, Poetry, Comedy, etc. Bring friends. Drink coffee. Enjoy!
02 June 2007
26 May 2007
Pre-Grand Opening Success!
This week has been full with several activities at Kafe Kiskeya, including An Evening with Djaloki (http://djaloki.blog.com/) on Monday night where 18 folks learned about Memory Village (http://www.memoryvillage.blogspot.com/), a project in Haiti, and a play which supports it, 3 Innocents and a Spirit (http://www.3innocents.blogspot.com/). Transformational Journeys (http://www.tjourneys.com/) held their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening at the Kafe.
And last night 14 people participated in a UMKC Communiversity course (http://www.umkc.edu/commu/) with Djaloki called Ancient Selves, New Consciousness. We also enjoyed live Haitian music from a local group called Kompa Unlimited!
Kompa Unlimited will perform again next week for Kafe Kiskeya's Grand Opening on June 1st from 8 to 10pm. Look forward to seeing you then! Bring friends. Dance. Drink coffee. Enjoy! :)
20 April 2007
Coming to Kafe Kiskeya Friday May 25th from 6:30 to 8pm
In cooperation with UMKC Communiversity, Djaloki Dessables will lead the following course at Kafe Kiskeya. Contact Communiversity to signup: http://www.umkc.edu/commu/. Refreshments will be available during the hour prior to the course. Live Haitian music will follow the program from 8 to 10pm!
This event will mark the GRAND PRE-OPENING of Kafe Kiskeya!
http://www.umkc.edu/commu/catalog_summer2007/features.pdf
Course Title: Ancient Selves, New Consciousness
Course Description: We will briefly examine the concept of ancestral spirits in primordial tribal cultures, before engaging in a guided imagery session that will introduce us to an old primordial part of ourselves. We will then share and discuss our experience.
Also, a workshop called ANCIENT WISDOM AND SPIRITUALITY FOR 21ST CENTURY SEEKERS will be offered at Kafe Kiskeya on Saturday & Sunday May 26 & 27. Please email or call for more details: kafekiskeya@hotmail.com or 816-914-5096.
Workshop Summary: During this workshop, we will review concepts common to many shamanic and animistic cultures. Using a modern paradigm and language, we will interpret how the spirit worlds interact with the human world in these cultures. We will then examine how these ancient pieces of wisdom apply to the global shift of consciousness currently in progress, and how they can help us navigate its waves. We will use a combination of mini lectures, questions & answers, group discussions, guided imagery, and time for reflection and personal journal entries, in a friendly atmosphere.
Bio: Jean Luc Dessables, also known as Djalòki, is an international consultant and lecturer from Ayiti (Haiti) in cross-cultural awareness and paradigm shift coaching. His intention, through his consulting, workshops and lectures, is to help create a sustainable multicultural global society showing reverence for the diversity of life and valuing inclusive excellence among people and institutions. He believes that the time has come for the shift of global human consciousness prophesized by many ancient people.
Born in 1961, Djalòki grew up between Ayiti, Belgium, France and Senegal. After his graduation in France as an engineer, he started a career in the corporate world in the fields of Total Quality Management and Organizational Development. He soon felt that, instead of enriching relationships, cultural differences between institutions or people often prevent good communication and mutual respect. He then shifted his career focus toward raising cross-cultural awareness, more specifically between the modern Western culture and the traditional Ayitian culture.
His current activities and positions include: - founder of "21 Jenerasyon", which raises cross-cultural and cross-spiritual awareness through international public speaking and workshops, and coaches people in the process of paradigm shifting; - co-founder and vice-president of the "N a Sonje" Foundation, which aims at healing the historical wounds between the peoples of Africa, Europe and the Americas; - associate of "DOA/BN", which specializes in transformational cultural tourism in Ayiti; - individual and group Guided Imagery.
For the last three years, Djalòki has been speaking at several educational institutions in the US, including Saint Mary's College of the University of Notre Dame, Keystone College, University of Southern Maine, Earlham College, Naropa University, Temple University, Indiana University in South Bend, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, New York University, the New Seminary Center for Interfaith Studies, and other community and spiritual centers. His speaking engagements also took him to Europe. He has been published in the Black Arts Quarterly of Stanford University.
Djalòki lives in Port-au-Prince, Ayiti. He speaks French, Ayitian Kreyòl, English and Spanish, and is currently studying at the New Seminary of New York to become an ordained Interfaith Minister.
09 April 2007
25 March 2007
2 Rasin (2 Roots) performing Timoun Yo
Timoun Yo, written by Mona Augustin about Haitian street children, is performed here in Kreyol by Mona, Welele, Ron, Nicole, Carla and Levy.
TIMOUN YO (lyrics)
Gad timoun nan lari yo
Y ap viv tankou zanimo
Pèsonn pa pran penn pou yo
Dirigan pa fè anyen pou yo
Paske se ed timoun sa yo
Ki fè yo antre gwo mago
Nan men etranje ki fè lacharite
Ref:
Timoun yo
Ede yo
Timoun yo
Ede yo
Si n pa vle yo fè sak dwòl
Fòk nou mete yo lekòl
Pou yo aprann li ak ekri
Demen pou yo gon meye vi
Si non nou k ap premyè viktim
Lè anpil nan yo ap fè krim
Mwen pa yon pwofèt
men m konnen sa ap fèt
Ref.
Timoun se lespwa de demen
Tanpri trete yo kòm imen
Sa yo ki rich ni sa k ki pòv
Yo dwe toujou jwenn lòv
Lòv, lòv, lòv, lòv..........
Gad timoun nan lari yo
Y ap viv tankou zanimo
Pèsonn pa pran penn pou yo
Dirijan pa fè anyen pou yo
Paske se ed timoun sa yo
Ki fè yo antre gwo mago
Nan men etranje ki fè lacharite
Ref.
THE CHILDREN (lyrics)
Look at the children in the streets
They’re living like animals
Nobody is caring for them
The politician aren’t doing anything for them
Because it’s the money the children bring in
Which gives them lots of loot
From the foreigners who are giving charity
Refrain:
The children
Help them
The children
Help them
If we don’t want them to do what’s wrong
We need to put them in school
So they can learn to read and write
Then they will have a better future
If not, we’ll be the first victims
When so many of them will become criminals
I’m not a prophet
But I know this will happen
Refrain
Children are the hope of tomorrow
Please treat them as humans
Those that are rich as well as those that are poor
They should all find love
Love, love, love, love
Look at the children in the streets
They’re living like animals
Nobody is caring for them
The politician aren’t doing anything for them
Because it’s the money the children bring in
Which gives them lots of loot
From the foreigners who are giving charity
Refrain
Music/text by: Mona Augustin 2005
21 March 2007
Meet the Artists
Serge Jolimeau was born in June 1952 in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti near Port au Prince. He began his cut metal art career 35 years ago.
Jolimeau and about 10 apprentices and helpers, three of whom are pictured here, can craft nearly anything out of recycled 55 gallon metal oil drums. A dozen of his pieces will be on display and for sale at Kafe Kiskeya.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
G. W. "Herbie" Marshall (right) was born in August 1961 in Jacmel, Haiti. He started working in papier mache 18 years ago. He uses recycled cardboard and brown paper sacks, and other locally found and produced materials. He is pictured here with Beyond Borders staff, Tim Murphy.
One of Marshall's three children, Herbison age 16 pictured here, works with him, as well as several other apprentices and helpers.
Personally, I really like Marshall's masks, although he can create any type of creature, real or imagined! Look for them at Kafe Kiskeya.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thomas Oriental was born in October 1958 in Jacmel, Haiti. He has painted and done papier mache, also using recycled and local materials, for 15 years with the help of 10 to 12 others.Besides the gigantic masks pictured here, he also creates placemats, trays and coasters with various flowers, bird, and food designs. Having no way to transport his masks to the US on the airplane with me, I had to bring back the later, several of which you'll see at Kafe Kiskeya.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
20 March 2007
13 March 2007
Grilling Coffee
This afternoon I watched as Jinya and her neighbors Haitian roasted/grilled the raw coffee beans we purchased at the market on Saturday. What an amazing process! Before any of the roasting/grilling begins, the beans are cleaned and washed over and over again. 
The following steps shown here in these photos include roasting/grilling the beans over hot coals in a very hot pot, then adding a couple cups of raw brown sugar, then stirring and stirring the beans and sugar mixture until the sugar crystalizes, then pounding the crystalized beans into a fine powder, which finally produces coffee to be brewed!
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