Bel-Air to Bel-Air

Two towns with the same name, yet worlds apart. Nothing could be further from each other than the slums of Bel-Air in Haiti to the affluent million dollar mansions of Bel-Air in California, but my experience at the beginning of the month encompassed both of them. On Saturday, Feb. 27, I embarked on my journey back to my homeland, Haiti, for the first time since the January 12th earthquake. It all began when I hopped on a plane heading to Miami, where the folks from 2Life 18 along with 1st & Alton were spearheading a cargo plane with doctors, nurses and various supplies to Haiti and were gracious enough to take me along for the ride.

As the plane was waiting to take off, we were informed the weather in Haiti was not desirable for flying conditions. I thought if the rain was powerful enough to detain a cargo plane from flying into Haiti, how are the people living under make-shift tents handling it with heavy rains pounding the country? I knew that ultimately the tents will not be able to sustain the rain.

Once we arrived in Haiti, I was greeted by my adopted Haitian brother, Sean Penn, whom I thanked for everything he has done on behalf of my countrymen and Haiti. As soon as I began looking around me, I noticed everything being so desolate. This was my first time landing in Port-au-Prince past 9 p.m., and everything seemed so foreign. The airport was deserted and the US forces were in charge. My mom had been waiting outside the airport for me, so we could go to the UN headquarters to have our first meeting with the foundation World Cares. Under the moon light, all I could notice were the tents placed side by side, and made a premature comment by saying "It doesn't seem so bad" to my mom, which she replied with "Wait until tomorrow", and of course the next day I woke up to see the aftermath the earthquake had really left behind.

Sunday morning began early in Petion-ville. I met up with my Argentinean friend, Manu, who was in town on behalf of Deutch Bank to see my foundation's work and assess the destruction from the recent earthquake. We headed downtown to the capital Port-au-Prince, which is where we started getting a glimpse of the total destruction. As we were touring the whole area, we both agreed that the video and pictures portrayed in the news of what the earthquake had done to the National Palace and surroundings could not do it justice when seeing it in person. Soon after, we proceeded to the outskirts of Bel-Air, where Edeyo has been working for the last 3 years. We began talking to the people, to see and understand how they are coping with the situation and find out how other organizations have been helping them. To my surprise, we were the first ones there since January 12.

Later in the afternoon, I made my way to the slums of Bel-Air to greet my Edeyo team and volunteers, which consists of a group of young professionals from different backgrounds and countries, who took a week off from work in NYC to lend their support and time to the children of Edeyo and the community of Bel-Air. With their help, we were able to have our two clinics back in motion, aiding approximately 250 people a day. Two different tents were dedicated to do workshops with the children and after the second day, we began providing them with a hot meal.

While our volunteers were diligently helping out the community, I began making my way from corridor to corridor. I went knocking door to door to know firsthand the community's immediate needs so I may relay their messages to the media in Haiti, other NGO's on the ground and the government. Time and time again, when asked what they needed the most, their answer was the same; they were not asking for food or money, they were all asking for tents and water.

In the following days, I proceeded to set up meetings with different NGO's like Shelter Box, Urban Zen, Real Medicine, The Wall Street Journal's Jose de Cordoba and the Prime Minister's office which were of great help. My goal was to pass the message along to these folks who were on the ground, but had not been able to find the right partner to allocate these goods, so that the people of Haiti could get these supplies during this desperate time.

After five days of great work with my mom, the Edeyo team and our volunteers, I was off to NY to pick up my suit and head to Los Angeles for the Oscar weekend festivities. Once in la-la land, I drove to the other Bel-Air; a town full of mansions, palm trees and a soothing calmness that was somewhat eerie after leaving Haiti.

My time in Los Angeles, was as glamorous as one could imagine but my heart, mind and soul were with those in Haiti and I definitely felt a sense of guilt to be part of this lavishness. However, I knew I had to be there so the voices and messages of those people in Haiti could be heard by the movers and shakers of our world. I could not fully enjoy myself having witnessed a different kind of world where people are struggling with the lack of aid, food and shelter and I was surrounded by an abundance of it all.

As surreal as all of it was, I was able to spread the message of my countrymen to the Hollywood elite. I shared my story of what I had experienced and witnessed in Haiti with my best friend, Mark Wahlberg, and Ken Starr (Starr LLC). At events such as Ari Emanuel's pre-Oscar party, where celebrities adorned the rooms, champagne flowed freely and hors d'oeuvres were everywhere, I only wished that some of it could have been sent to Haiti the next day. Thankfully, Ari promised me that his brother, Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama, and the administration will stand with the Haitian people and help them.

Throughout my journey in Los Angeles, I got the chance to catch up with some old friends such as ex-Giants player Michael Strahan and fiancee, Nicole, who are eager to come with Edeyo to help the Haitian community. Friends Adam Levine (Maroon 5) and Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) suggested wanting to help Haiti by doing a free concert to keep the spot light on my country. Spending time in Los Angeles after Haiti, I definitely felt out of place, but leaving with the notion that everybody I came in contact with or merely saw me from across the room, were reminded of the devastation the January 12 earthquake left behind, made me have hope that my country will not be forgotten.

I can't speak for everybody, but I hope people realize how easily we can take life for granted, how everything around us is completely fragile, yet the bond we create as human beings can survive through any natural disaster. As inhabitants of this planet, we all need to make a collective effort to help our fellow brothers and sisters and not focus on minute, irrelevant details. We need to become more conscious of the world around us, and more gracious for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us instead of complaining for the things we don't have. The people I met in Haiti didn't have a roof

over their head, didn't have running water and meals were very minimal, if any at all. Nonetheless, they rejoiced life in true Haitian spirit and found their blessings in being alive. In the middle of a disaster, where most people lost everything, including loved ones, they have found perspective and an uplifting spirit that cannot be shaken.

As we continue to be a credible voice for the Haitian people not only today but always we are planning the following initiatives...

On March 18, the French Consulate will be hosting a Charity Gala, "Build a School, Build a Life," which will benefit the Edeyo Foundation and the Harlem Academy.On May 14, in partnership with the Slovakian Embassy will be hosting The Fifth Annual Slovak Fashion Night. Proceeds from the evening will support the Edeyo Foundation and its initiatives in Haiti.Last but not least, since Edeyo was found on my birthday in 2007, my birthday party and Edeyo's 3rd anniversary this year will be held on either June 24 or June 30 in lieu of gifts, we will like to keep the tradition by making a donation to Edeyo.A coffee table book, Bel-Air to Bel-Air is currently in the works.  Inspired by my whirlwind back to back experience with both towns with the same name.

 

Photos by Veronica Sarrabayrouse, Manu Maximino, and Alex Morel.