By: Wadner Pierre - HaitiAnalysis.com

Haitian singer King Kino and his band the "Nord Kinomorsa Divers" recently visited hurricane ravaged Cité-Soleil. The northern section of the deeply impoverished community had been especially hard hit by the latest hurricane.

The artist’s first stop was the MINUSTAH (UN troop) base in Cité-Soleil. MINUSTAH, which has been implicated in grave human rights abuses in Cite Soleil, was to provide security for King Kino and his entourage during the visit.

Kino is well known in the community. He has been a long time supporter of democracy and self determination for Haiti and the poor.

Kino was joined by the Mayor of Cité-Soleil as well as Pastor René Joseph, who is a member of Kino’s charitable foundation. Kino's foundation was busy distributing food as they passed through the worst hit areas of Cité-Soleil, such as Bois Neuf and Duviver. The singer, who was brought up in a nearby community, spoke to journalists.

He thanked those assembled and public officials such as the mayor for their support and noted that many among the haitian diaspora have contributed to his work. ”It is nice to see that there are people in the diaspora who want to work with us.“

He said he felt that often their is widespread mistrust of the diaspora among many, but he argued that relatives and countrymen living abroad can be of great assistance, and that altruism and self interest both motivate his work.

He explained how Haiti remains in the hearts of all in those living in the diaspora. “In the end, when they ask us to leave their countries, we will have no country to turn to besides Haiti. We in the diaspora know this very well”.

He made an impassioned appeal to haitians living abroad “come to the aid of these people, especially those in the ‘ghetto’, but not only in Cité-Soleil which is relatively easy to reach, but in the countryside as well.”

Kino told journalists that his foundation had plans to build schools and other facilities in Cité-Soleil. He stressed that he often makes unpublicized visits to Haiti and is well informed about the situation in Cité-Soleil. His mother did charitable work when he was a boy and Kino said that set an example he intends to follow.

The mayor of Cité-Soleil heaped praise on Kino and encouraged others to follow his example. Also present during the visit, and speaking highly of the Kino Foundation was Auguste Lamarre, an official with the Cité-Soleil Foundation. Gathered residents were happy to see Kino and his band who are highly thought of in the community.

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Photos by Wadner Pierre