Singer, actor and IRC Voice Jencarlos Canela recently visited International Rescue Committee programs in Haiti that are helping those who lost homes and loved ones in the massive earthquake of January 2010. Jencarlos had the opportunity to meet hundreds of children and their families who are still displaced nearly two years after the disaster. (Posted January 6, 2012)
Video Transcription
Hello, I’m Jencarlos Canela, and I am an IRC Voice. And I’m here in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in a camp with people still homeless two years after the earthquake.
Haitian woman, squealing: “I love you!”
Jencarlos: “I love you. Why did I come here? Because I love you. I love you.”
Haitian woman: “You love me? You love Haiti?”
Jencarlos: “I love Haiti.”
Haitian woman: “Yes!”
Today we visited a child-friendly space run by the International Rescue Committee. The IRC sets up these places, so that thousands of children have a safe place to learn, play and socialize. Activities like sports, music, art, help these children focus on something positive and constructive. It helps them get through the day.
I didn’t know what to expect when I was visiting these camps, but I didn’t find strangers, I found family members there, I found a home here. These people are magical.
The earthquake increased women’s and girls’ vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse. The International Rescue Committee runs adolescent girl groups in many camps.
These girls use various forms of art to develop important life skills. It’s beautiful.
I’ve used music my whole life to get through any tough situation, and one of the things that just left me speechless was that these girls haven’t let all these things that have happened bring them down. They keep moving forward. And they’re doing it through the IRC, which makes me proud.
J’aime Haiti, beaucoup!
I am so proud to be part of an organization that does a tremendous amount of good.
Please join me in supporting the International Rescue Committee. To learn more go to
Rescue.org.
[ENDS]
Thanks to Sparked.com volunteer Sarah P. for transcribing this video.
