subject: French Translator Recounts Historic Visit To Haiti [print this page] The children of Haiti, the western hemispheres poorest country, were recently paid a visit by Czech model, Petra Nemcova and hip-hop singer Wyclef Jean. A French Creole translator provided the French translation for the model. Many children thought Nemcova was Shakira and asked her to sing. According to Nemcova, however, she has a terrible singing voice and tried to explain to the children that she was a model and not a singer.
Meanwhile, Wyclef Jean was given a genuine hero's welcome in Haiti's most destitute slums, riding the shoulders of teenage boys to the site of a small-business project he helped develop.
On his first trip to Haiti since being named a roving ambassador by President Rene Preval in January, the musician met legislators and accompanied the Czech model to a school where the two unveiled a computer lab complete with all the latest computer equipment and peripherals. They stayed for awhile, helping the kids, many of whom didnt know what a computer mouse was, before they joined a luncheon crowd of businessmen to ask for their help in developing the skills of Haitian children.
For her part, Petra Nemcova said she had been warned about the deplorable conditions in Haiti. She did say that it was very poor, however she also said it is a very beautiful country with wonderful people who share a rich cultural heritage.
