Author: Opastaff

As Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moïse, is killed in an attack on his private residence, we bring you this exclusive investigation into gangs in Haiti. Filmed in May 2021, we meet the most notorious gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier in a country entirely ruled by gangs. Director: Charles Comiti, Cyril Thomas, Daniel Grandclément & Stéphane Haumant.

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Soup Joumou The history of pumpkin soup begins with the celebration of Haitian Independence in 1804. On Jan. 1, 1804, Haitians worked together to create a unique soup to celebrate their independence from the French Colonists. Until that time, the Colonists believed that the blacks under their rule could never work together to create anything. Today, the traditional pumpkin soup known as “soup joumou,” is made and served to friends and family in Haiti in remembrance of their fight for freedom. Ingredients 1 bunch fistful watercress 1 bunch spinach 1 juice lemon squeeze the juice of of one lemon 1 cubed malanga cut into cubes 1 cubed potato cut into cubes 1/2 box Ziti half…

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November is a pivotal month in the Vodou calendar, marked by the celebration of Guede, the guardian of the dead. This spirit is central to Vodou, a religion estimated to be 6,000 to 10,000 years old, originating long before Christianity in Benin, West Africa. Despite its age and depth, Vodou often suffers from misunderstandings and misrepresentations, particularly from Western perspectives. Vodou is not limited to Haiti but is practiced worldwide under various names like Obeah, Santeria, and Candomble, each reflecting the rich tapestry of African, Cuban, and Dominican influences. At its core, Vodou involves worship through direct communication with spirits…

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A chilling wave of grief has engulfed the Bernard family and surrounding community following the brutal deaths of 68-year-old Roosevelt Bernard and his pregnant daughter, 21-year-old Martine Bernard. The shocking double murder has led to the arrest of Martine’s husband, Cassandritz Blanc, who now faces charges for both killings. The Discovery and Investigation The tragic sequence began on Monday, June 11, 2018, when Roosevelt Bernard was found deceased around 8:30 a.m. His body was discovered just a few yards outside his home in the 2900 block of Washington Street, Hollywood, lying in a wooded area, with gunshot wounds. Hollywood Police…

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Haitian-American Guinxe Gabriel leads a group of medical volunteers to rural Haiti, inspired by his father’s words to “Remember the others.” The documentary “Haiti: Day by Day” follows this team as they bring essential healthcare to remote areas, highlighting the resilient spirit of the Haitian people. Despite harsh conditions, the volunteers are warmly welcomed. The film also showcases sustainable efforts involving local doctors, offering a hopeful perspective on Haiti’s future.

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Haitian Spaghetti Haitian Spaghetti is one of the most popular dishes in Haiti’s households today. Not only it’s a great dish to make but also the price it cost to make it helps households with their domestic economy. This versatile dish can be served for lunch or dinner.  If you decide to make this dish, make sure you print the recipe down below and get the ingredients when you go grocery shopping prior to making it. Keep in mind, some, not all of the recipes can be supplemented. potlarge frying pan Main Ingredients1 box spaghetti 4 fillet smoked herring (links/fillet)3…

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Fran wants to know which artificial sweeteners are OK to consume. I have been getting asked this question a lot lately, and it’s no wonder – they seem to be everywhere. More and more products contain them, and new substances are being introduced into the marketplace. A lot of it comes down to preference and choice. I hope to shed some light on basically what kind of artificial sweeteners are out there and some facts to help you make the decision to consume or not to consume them. Let’s start with the more common ones we know: Aspartame (Equal®), Sucralose…

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The story of the AIDS epidemic and the man accused of starting it. When a new, deadly virus spreads across North America at an alarming rate, one man is singled out for bringing the disease to the continent. Spanning the 1970s until today, the story of Gaetan Dugas –aka ‘Patient Zero’ –serves as the perfect microcosm of the evolution of AIDS in America and the country’s response to it. In the early 1980s, little was known about this global epidemic, except that it seemed to be most prevalent amongst gay men. America was in the grip of fear and uncertainty…

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