Haiti - Humanitarian : Santa Claus from Canada wears a blue helmet...

In the IDP camp located behind Belvil, one of the neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince, the atmosphere is pretty good-just days before Christmas. In front of one of some 300 tents, children from 3 to 12 years waiting patiently under the watchful eye of their parents and members of the management team of the camp.

In this tent are arranged boxes of material to be distributed: activity books, educational toys and treats. On site, a dozen of United Nations police (UNPOL) from Canada and officers of the Police Nationale d'Haiti (PNH) put order. And on the faces of children mingle mirth and curiosity.

More than 200 children will receive, a lot consisting of a teaching manual, toys and treats. Espérance James, 5 years, one of them. He got a the little booklet, coloring pencils, a boat, two miniature cars and sweets. Beside him, his sister Maddy pouted. "I wanted to have cars" instead of the dinosaur, but satisfied, she also received scrunchies, barrettes and "candy-rod."

The Canadian UN police live not far from the camp, and they pass often near the camp, they see many children. Over time, was born and took form the will to make a small gesture in their favor. "And the Christmas has offered us the opportunity, " says Nathalie Dawn a woman police officer of the United Nations. The toys were collected in Canada from friends and families. A total of 600 toys have been collected.

The educational booklet was developed by a Canadian company specializing in the manufacture of educational materials. In total, 840 copies of the bilingual (Creole - French) have been printed. This 20-page booklet tells the toddlers, the dinosaurs, their forms and their evolution in history. He also talks about butterflies, their transformation from the caterpillar, offers games of observation and provides an opportunity for children to learn to color, count and learn various geometric shapes at the same time it includes a directory of songs.

The Children of the camp Belvil, have received 220 books. A few days before the childrens of the camp of Petion-ville Club received 120. The tour continued in the camps Accra and Corail Cesse–Lesse.

The UN policeman Pierre Arbour, with the support of his countrymen, their friends and families, have collected the sum of 4,500 U.S. dollars to celebrate Christmas with the childrens of Camp Belvil. He included this initiative in his desire to encourage children to read and further their education, the only guarantee for a better future. Same motivation for her friend Patrick Lucas, through the distribution of toys, want "bring a little smile to these children whose lives are not very forgiving". And as pointed out Nathan Aube, these actions of good will are also the most beautiful memories that we will bring with us".

We welcome this initiative which even if it is limited has the merit of demonstrating that the Christmas spirit never dies, although this year in Haiti, our countrymen have not the heart to celebrate. Midnight Mass for thousands of Haitian Christians, will be held in tents amid the rubble, with faith as the only hope, pending a political miracle.

HL/ HaitiLibre