Haitian-born music star Wyclef Jean is again helping his homeland, getting the word out in an effort to vaccinate more than five million children and youth against measles and rubella -- preventable diseases which kill Haiti's children in droves each year.
The producer, solo-standout and Fugees star kicked off the second phase of the ALAS project with a new public service announcement aimed at the citizens of the impoverished island nation (watch above). ... Wyclef is a founding member of the ALAS Foundation.
Millions of young Haitians are not vaccinated against measles and rubella. The effort is expected to prevent more than 1,200 CRS cases over the next decade and is part of a larger effort by the countries of the
The first phase of the vaccination drive, launched last November, was a success and delivered vaccines to an estimated 2.3 million young people in rural areas and some urban schools.
"Rubella is a totally preventable disease that no one in Haiti or anywhere else should have to suffer from," said Wyclef. "This campaign is making it possible for parents to protect their children from the terrible effects of this disease."
Wyclef has been credited with changing thousands of lives in Haiti by supporting projects in education, health, the environment and community development.
Top Photo by gcoll © PAHO-WHO (2007)
Comments: (9)
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By: Mike on 5/05/2008 10:22PM
It great to see an artist give back to his community in such a helpful way, we need more like him.
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By: Cisse on 5/06/2008 4:19PM
Long live Wyclef. He is the BEST.
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By: blckmoses@sbcglobal.net on 5/06/2008 6:58AM
Blacks in America have never thanked the Haitian for speeding up our freedom. Their victory made the enlighten devils realize that the gig was up. We allow them to suffer from having the audacity to take their freedom. The Cubans lobbied hard for their refugees rights, but with all the money, fame, education, and political power Blacks have; it has not benefited this great and proud people. Shame on us! Like Harriet Tubman said, "I could have freed thousands more if I could have convinced them that they were slaves." I want to thank the Haitian people for speeding up my ancestors freedom from slavery, and apologize for the inept response from Blacks in
America. Shame on us for dancing in the shadow of America's hyprocrisy concering the Haitian.
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By: PrynceCunning on 5/08/2008 6:51PM
Its really funny how a black athelete gets in trouble and you read endless blog entries about Ni**a this and Ni**a that, but when there's something positive out there you only see three entries. Hmmm. Since were on this note, why is it that I only the Sean Bell case is top headlines on the black version of AOL and not even a footnote on the regular version?
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By: Harold Masse on 5/08/2008 8:52PM
Very nice to see one of my country's man with the possibity of helping his own people and does it without reserve.I salute Wyclef and wish there could be many like him.I wish as well I could be there to give my support to his work.
Beside,I salute this black american who think about thanking Haiti for speeding up his freedom.As I always say no black on the planet know the potentiality of black people than haitian.We are the first black nation who fought a major colonial power and won our independance by kicking the butt of white french men and other out of Haiti.The soldiers from St domingue(before coming Haiti) have helped americans fought the britishes at savanah.What haiti got in return,nothing than humiliate the haitians born.We helped other countries won their independance(Peru,Venezuela etc)Today Haiti is a country by name,they ignore us.Our people is starving,even Dominican Republic who doesn't have story by itself ignore haiti.Without Haiti Dominican Republic couldn't have freedom,we fought the war of independance in 1803 and won it and later in 1844 they separate from Haiti with the help of other countries,specially France and Usa.Haiti helped and get kicked in thje head later.Isay thank you to this black man who think of Thanking Haiti for its help,helping the black american taste the freedom.Viva Haiti,This great country and its proud people will never die no matter how bad things are.
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By: Emmanuel on 5/08/2008 10:33PM
I wanna thank Wyclef for all the positive actions accomplished in Haiti. We need positive people like you who are able and really want to build up the country, not to contribute to destroye it. If each and every haitian feel the need to bring some help, we'll get a better chance to move up. Let's follow Wyclef's path. Let's put our hand together to develop Haiti; with this we'll stop other peoples to see only the negative aspects of it. Wyclef, keep it up. Kenbe pa lage.
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By: TrinaTrine on 5/09/2008 12:11AM
With all the negativity the media puts out on everyone and everything, it's great to see someone who's in the public eye giving back. It's sad how some people have infinite money but don't do anything to make a change in the world. Infinite kudos to Wyclef and all others, celebs and non-celebs who are making a difference in the world! If we could only get a politician to get gas prices down would even be better but that's another long blog...LOL!
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By: Erzulie la flambeau on 5/10/2008 12:53PM
Black Music is Democratic !!!
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By: Kirsten Boyd - Answered Prayers on 5/15/2008 4:15PM
I'm wondering what the process is to become a recipient of these vaccinations. I'm asking because I run a Humanitarian Aid organization that works with 4 orphanages housing around 150 children who are all in the process of adoption to the US, Canada or part of Europe. I would love to see the children at these orphanages become vaccinated while they wait for their adoptions to be completed.
Blessings - Kirsten Boyd
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