Haiti’s Ambassador to Chile, Guy G. Lamothe, accompanied by a delegation from the Embassy, ​​took part in the Kreyolofoli Chile festival, a cultural and community event held under the theme Konbit pou defann idantite nou ("Working together to defend our identity") in Recoleta, a commune located within the Santiago Metropolitan Province and Region.

During the event, the Ambassador visited all the booths, engaging directly with the exhibitors, entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, and other members of the community in attendance.

The diversity of the activities on display—spanning cultural, artistic, culinary, entrepreneurial, and community-based initiatives, gave him a clear sense of the rich human potential within the Haitian diaspora in Santiago, as well as its dynamism, creativity, and organizational capacity.

Among the initiatives presented, the Kreyalino project particularly caught the attention of the Ambassador and his delegation. Spearheaded by Stephania Vanessa Marcelin, Daphnée Joseph, and David Antoine, this digital, educational, family-oriented, and cultural project aims to facilitate the learning of Haitian Creole, especially among children of Haitian descent who were born or are growing up in Chile. Through an interactive application, Kreyalino seeks to create a space for learning, discovery, and entertainment, allowing younger generations to become familiar with the language, traditions, stories, and rich cultural heritage of Haiti.

In the Ambassador’s view, this initiative addresses a fundamental need : enabling children within the diaspora to grow up fully integrated into Chilean society while maintaining a vibrant connection to Haiti, their parents' language, and their own cultural roots. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Recoleta offered visitors products such as cremas, manba (peanut butter), and fresco (fruit drinks). Additionally, Stephania Jean, a young Haitian author from the community, held a book signing for her work, Deja de huir, enfrentate ("Stop Running, Face It").

Beyond these promising initiatives, discussions with the participants allowed Ambassador Lamothe to gain a better understanding of the concerns and challenges our compatriots face in their daily lives, particularly regarding integration, support, and access to consular services.

For Ambassador Lamothe, this initial direct engagement with various segments of the diaspora reinforces a firm belief: the Haitian community in Chile represents a human, cultural, and economic asset that deserves to be better understood, valued, and supported.

This approach, centered on listening and maintaining close ties—reflects the Embassy’s commitment to strengthening dialogue with community organizations, identifying their needs more effectively, and fostering initiatives that promote their personal growth and integration into Chilean society.

IH/ iciHaiti