At the end of Feburary 2011, Rhythm ‘N Dance will be taking our programming to Haiti to support the Edeyo Foundation as they look to continue supporting the children of the Bel Air community of Port Au Prince, Haiti.
The Edeyo Foundation, whose name is derived from the Haitian Krèyol word meaning “help them,” is an independent, nonprofit organization based in New York City, dedicated to improving the future for children in Haiti through education. Run largely by business, medical and educational professionals of Haitian and/or African descent, our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing school environment, along with technology-assisted and other learning materials, nutritional and social support, and the linguistic and critical thinking skills that will ensure future success for our students. Edeyo first established a school in Bel-Air – a “red-zone” area which international NGOs avoid due to security concerns – in 2007; this school was completely destroyed in the earthquake of January 2010. Our goal is now to turn catastrophe to opportunity by building a high-quality, innovative, and sustainable community school for Bel-Air children, who live in one of the most underprivileged parts of Haiti’s impoverished capital city.
Rhythm ‘N Dance will be taking our first of many trips down to Haiti to support the school in African Diasporic arts education initiatives aimed at uplifting the children and teachers of the school supported by the Edeyo Foundation. We are asking for our RND family to help support us in this effort by donating funds toward this project. All proceeds will go to Edeyo to provide programmatic support, supplies and on going resources for the school and surrounding community. The RND/Edeyo Partnership is one that will need support from our community so that we can support the foundation, the school and the people of Haiti.
Please know that ANY contribution you can make would be greatly appreciated. Whether you feel led to contribute financially or through moral support, all efforts are appreciated.
