In December 1999 the association "Herz von Haiti e.V." has been registered officially and accepted as non-profit-making / for the public benefit in Germany.

In the year 2000 the association started its activities in Haiti 

Our cooperation- partner in Haiti is  "Association Ayizan Velekete".

Conception for our work

The original power of the Haitian social system was the great social interconnection including mutual responsibility between the members of extended families and village communities.

The centre of such a community, called "Lakou", is the Vodoun-priest/ ess. Their functions go far beyond those of a christian priest. They look after their constituencies not only with regard to religious things in holding ceremonies or giving spiritual support. At the same time they work in a healing way and are consulted for reasons of health and illness. Moreover they help members, who ran into financial difficulties through no fault of their own. They are consulted in all questions of the different periods of one's life.

Lakou is a community of around 500 members. To be alive and able to work as a social net, the material foundation has to exist. The association "HerzvonHaiti" will contribute to give old, still existing Lakous a chance of survival. They have to adapt to today's necessities.

The following elements belong to the basis, which will make a Lakou be able to survive :

- the temple has to be in a condition fit for work

- water and irrigation must exist, perhaps an artesian well is necessary

- cultivating of medicinal herbs and useful plants

- planting of trees

- chicken-coop

- livestock, if required

- a primary school

- a small health center

- craftman's workshops, if required

- power supply, if necessary, for example solarenergy-systems.

We attach great importance to the special requirements of the needy people to support their self-confidence and protect their dignity.

In this way the course of projects can vary in different Lakous. Something will be unnecessary, other things we don't see now get an importance.

Activities in context with Development Aid in Haiti :

Campeche is near the town of Acul-du-Nord outside of Cap-Haitian in the north of Haiti.

200 - 300 people belong to this medium sized Lakou.

1. Contribution to the restauration of one of the oldest temples in Haiti 

New road leading right into Nan Campeche

3. waterbassin in front of the well

4. building toilet facilities and shower

- a primary school

- a botanical garden

Djisou is near the village of Lory / Cap-Haitian, also in the north of Haiti. Djisou is a small Lakou of about 200 people.

The Vodoun-priest ( Mambo) of Djisou is an elderly woman of 90 years, Mrs. Clerveaux. Despite of her advanced age she is still in a very good form and active in holding ceremonies. Mrs.Clerveaux's age makes the preservation of her splendid oral tradition, her knowledge about songs and prayers important. It's worth making tape-recordings to archive it.

1. Chicken coop 

- a trades center: installing workshops of different trades like ironwork, woodwork, bakery, etc...

Dereal is near the town of Limonade, north-east of Cap-Haitian. Dereal  is regroups a large number of people but who do not live in the Lakou. The Lakou had been practically closed to the public for a long period of time, about 20 years. A young woman named Ingrid Llera, living in Miami, undertook to re-open the Lakou around five years ago. She initiated a small candle-making industry to generate new activities in the Lakou.

3. waterbassin in front of the well  

- a health center

- a small "Vodoun and History Museum" (it was a maroon station in the past)

Contribution to the setting up of "INSTITUTE OF TRADITIONAL HEALING" in the LAKOU MARIANI  (2000 / 2001)

The institute will impart  knowledge about medicinal herbs and trees  originated in Haiti  to scientists, medicines and other interested people. Max Beauvoir is the initiator and leader of these seminars.

In context with this institute a related area will be reafforested and many herbs will be planted to have the most important medicinal herbs in that place.

1.To bring  informations about Haitian culture and our work before the German public:

We gave a lecture in Nov.2000 in "Bremer Weserterrassen" to introduce ourselves before the public.

We prepared leaflets about Haitian culture to inform a German public, for example about Haitian history or about Vodoun. 

Besides this our web-site shall inform about Haiti and our work.

On June 14th 2002  an article about our association was published in the German newspaper "Weser Kurier".

On August 10th an interview with the chairman of our association was broadcasted in the program "Vis á vis" of  radio station "Funkhaus Europa".

On April 23th 2006 an article about our work was published in the German newspaper "Weser Kurier".

2. Collecting and archiving prayers, songs and rhythms  connected with ceremonies in Haiti. Making copies for the association in Germany.

In 2003 production of a video about a vodoun-ceremony.

Also in 2003 producing a CD of traditional music, of Petro rhythms.

Producing and publishing of a book of texts with descriptions of several vodoun-ceremonies began in 2003.

3. We already organized successfully a drum - and - dance- workshop with songs from Haiti for people who want to become acquainted with the special Haitian rhythms.

( More activities are in the planning stage and will be announced to you soon ).

Account for donations :

Sparkasse in Bremen: BLZ 290 501 01, accountnumber: 120 508 78