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PAQÉMO, music in the Service of Education and Hope in Haiti
PAQÉMO, music in the Service of Education and Hope in Haiti
PAQÉMO, music in the Service of Education and Hope in Haiti

PAQÉMO, music in the Service of Education and Hope in Haiti

PAQÉMO, short for "Projet Artistique de Quartiers et Éducatif Musical en Orchestre" (Neighborhood Artistic and Educational Orchestral Music Project), is an ambitious initiative launched in 2022 by the Association Musicale et Éducative à Vocation Sociale (AMEVS), co-founded by Jéricho Pierre-Noël and Cecilia Madolena Clénard, Haitian students at Sorbonne University. Today, the project includes other names such as Sargine Any Melissa Bernard, Mohamed Etamine, Ege Tarik Eken, Youssef Naccache, and Sohann List Massaregli, all Sorbonne students dedicated to promoting access to musical education in Haitiparticularly classical musicas a tool for holistic development. The goal of PAQÉMO’s founders is to use music as a means of education, inclusion, and social transformation, integrated alongside the traditional Haitian school curriculum.

Haïti
Haïti
Haïti

A Free Educational and Artistic Project

One of the most remarkable aspects of PAQÉMO is that it’s freeespecially meaningful in the economically struggling rural areas of Haiti. This project offers free musical education to children and teenagers aged 6 to 18 in remote areas such as Belladère. They learn to play musical instruments (violin, cello, flute), read music, and perform in orchestras. PAQÉMO also plans concerts to promote their talents. The most talented students may have opportunities to collaborate with orchestras in France, such as COSU and Orchestre à l’École. This proves that the project goes far beyond simple music trainingit’s a chance to build self-confidence, discipline, and global exposure for Haitian youth.

Haïti
Haïti
Haïti

Tangible Social Impact

Partner schools, including the Laïcat Music School, Maranatha Mixed School, and Lycée Charlemagne Péralte, open their doors to PAQÉMO for music learning sessions. Children, often exposed to unstable environments, find in music a space for safety, creativity, and dreams. By fostering personal and collective development, PAQÉMO actively contributes to the social rebuilding of Haitian communities.

Haïti
Haïti
Haïti

National and International Recognition

PAQÉMO is supported by both international and Haitian institutions. Organizations such as Sorbonne University, Université Quisqueya, Paris 8 University, Chanson d’Haïti, and Woodbrass Music Instruments, along with French music schools like CAICAT, JIDO, and CADENCE, endorse the project. In 2024, PAQÉMO was awarded the Grand Prize for Access to Culture by the Charles Defforey Foundation (Institut de France), along with €100,000 in funding. This recognition reinforces the project’s legitimacy and supports its expansion: by June 2025, PAQÉMO aims to reach over 2,000 children across 20 sites nationwide.

Haïti is known as a land rich in talent and cultural diversity. PAQÉMO represents a source of hope for the development of thousands of children and is a powerful example of how the Haitian diaspora can positively contribute to Haiti’s growth.

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About the Author
Moise Francois
Moise Francois
Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

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Haïti Wonderland: How to Rewrite the Narrative of Haïti on the Web?

For the last three decades the internet has transformed the way people live, access information and promote worthy causes. Institutions that embrace this technology lead the way in their respective industries and last, while countries that embrace this technology and wisely implement it enable themselves to thrive and build sustainable economies. After decades of existence, the internet has been shared with mainly two groups of people; those who use it as a tool to build, and those who use it as a tool of destruction. Those who see the internet as a bridge to make a positive impact in the world and those who see it as the comfy bed to never leave, hence, the difference between the consumer and producer. Unfortunately our beloved home, Haiti, has been of the former mindset. Is it a lack of vision, lack of skills and competences or is it lack of hard working individuals? Regardless what it is or had been for decades, now is the time to change the paradigm on all fronts necessary and reshape the future. If the past decades have been ruled by non-production and negative press, now is the time to change the paradigm by producing and using the limitless of the web to sell the beauty, the culture and the greatness of Haïti to the rest of the world. If the past has been ruled with a selective truth and an effort to showcase the worst and by extension create the worst narrative, now, my fellow Haitian, regardless of where you are on this planet, is the time for us to undertake this mission, to take responsibility and recreate the narrative of our mother land. A narrative based on truth and transparency, a narrative that tells the story of who we are and certainly who we are not, a narrative to invite the world to explore and see for themselves. It is our duty. If not now, when? If not you and I, then, who? Our main mission at Haïti Wonderland is to rewrite the narrative of Haïti on the web. Then use the internet to bring Haïti back to the top of the touristic destination map once again. Those are what motivate us, the oxygen that we breath, they are the reason we wake up in the morning and fight. We didn’t choose this path because we know it will be easy but we choose it because: 1. It is a noble cause 2. It is necessary and 3. It must be done. But must importantly we take this path because we know you and every Haitian in this world, who knows the truth about Haïti are tired with what you see when typing Haïti on the web, and at the same time understand that something must change, and it must be done as soon as possible. We know you are ready for this, and together we will change the narrative of Haïti on the web and we will bring Haïti back to the top of the touristic destination map. This is a call of duty to you, regardless of your field of endeavor or where you’re located in this world. This is a call to join (http://haitiwonderland.com) to first see for yourself the movement you’re joining, then create your own account and start creating and sharing. Together we will rewrite the narrative of Haïti on the web. Thank you for joining this worthy cause. Let’s invite the world to discover the true face of Haiti.

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History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.

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