(French Version / Version française) 

(Creole Version / Vèsyon kreyòl)

KEPKAA

(International Committee for the Promotion of the Creole Language and Creole Literacy)

(formerly KIPKAA)

October 2002 

KEPKAA News | Introduction | Definition | Objectives | Becoming a Member | Active Members | Honorary Members | Board of Directors | Finances | Word of Caution | Membership Fees & Gifts | Becoming Involved | Where to Drop Off School Supplies | Membership Application Form | Links | Contact Info 

CREOLE LANGUAGE MONTH IN MONTREAL 2004

CREOLE LANGUAGE MONTH IN MONTREAL 2003

HONORS: Albert Valdman | Adeline Chancy | Frankétienne | Gérard D. Montès

OFFICIAL BOOKLET: MONTREAL CREOLE MONTH 2002 (pdf)

CREOLE LANGUAGE MONTH IN MONTREAL 2002

ALBERT VALDMAN AND FRANKÉTIENNE: HONORED INVITEES TO MONTREAL'S CREOLE LANGUAGE MONTH 2002

CREOLE LANGUAGE MONTH IN MONTREAL: ORIGINS, MOTIVES AND STRUCTURE

OCTOBER 2002 IN MONTREAL: A MONTH TO CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL CREOLE DAY

THIRTEEN OF FRANKÉTIENNE'S THIRTY-SEVEN BOOKS AVAILABLE IN HONOR OF INTERNATIONAL CREOLE MONTH 2002

Literacy occupies an important place in the development of a country. Construction of the future of a country like Haiti does not rest solely in the hands of a few. Such an intolerable situation must change. If nothing is done to change today's reality, those who cannot read and write will forever be forced to remain in the background, without ever coming to know the very important role they could play in helping to change their society. As many of us already know, for change to carry with it good results, it is essential that everyone -- no matter what level of education, no matter how rich or poor -- contributes his part to the whole. In this way, a chain of solidarity to chase away darkness and injustice will be able to raise its flag, not only in Haiti but in many other countries.

In such a shoulder-to-shoulder "coming together" in order to help to bring about this kind of change, a group of men and women in Canada declared:

* when we consider that around 50% of all Haitians over the age of 16 years cannot read and write;

* when we consider that around 40% of all Haitian children aged 5 to 15 years have never attended school even one day of their life;

* when we consider that around 60% of children who enter the Haitian school system are forced to leave it before they reach the sixth year of primary school;

* when we consider that one of the highest evidences of justice which the Haitian People can experience is that all Haitians are allowed to learn to read and write;

* when we consider the motivation of the Haitian People to resolve the literacy question;

* when we consider that a country like Haiti will never fully develop if it does not have a robust linguistic policy, if it does not honor the mother tongue of its people;

* when we consider that Haitians themselves must spearhead such an initiative, in partnership with the rest of humanity which would like to assist them in the process of winning the literacy battle;

we hereby create an organization called: Komite Entènasyonal pou Pwomosyon Kreyòl ak Alfabetizasyon (KEPKAA) or, in English, International Committee for the Promotion of the Creole Language and Creole Literacy. We ask that all Haitians and Friends of Haiti join with us to support such a complex undertaking.

KEPKAA is a non-profit organization, incorporated in the Province of Quebec in Canada in accordance with its laws. Our registration under the General Enterprise Section of the Office of the Inspector General of Financial Institutions became effective on the 27th of May 1997.

* To interest all people to take part in Haiti's literacy initiative.

* To support groups in Haiti who are working diligently to stamp out illiteracy in their midst.

* To challenge all youth, community associations, labor unions, humanitarian organizations, private businesses, regional associations, media, etc. to support the work of groups which are fighting illiteracy within Haiti.

* To encourage all overseas initiatives which have as their goal to support education in Haiti.

* To spread the news about the Creole language everywhere.

* To insist that all schools in Haiti teach courses in the mother tongue of Haiti.

* To organize conferences, meetings, expositions, seminars, discussions and any other kind of gatherings which can create an occasion for writers, researchers and artists of all disciplines, along with friends of the Creole Language, to exchange ideas one with the other.

* To assist Haitian youth in the Diaspora to discover their Haitian identity.

All individuals and all legal organizations which are in accord with KEPKAA's objectives can become members. Such friends simply need to fill out the application form which is placed a bit further down this page.

In KEPKAA, there are active members and honorary members. Active members must offer their services to the committee, but that does not mean that they are obliged to attend meetings in order to do so. Active members must pay their membership fees each year, such as are set by the General Assembly. Beyond that, they are invited to assist the organization in other ways. They can provide monetary donations, school supplies, or educational or audio-visual materials.

In addition, each year, they are expected to make the effort to participate in at least one organized committee activity. Example: the annual celebration of International Creole Language Day, held in Montreal.

Honorary members are not obligated to offer their services or to attend organized meetings. Each year, however, they must pay their membership fees, set by the General Assembly. Beyond that, they are invited to assist the organization in other ways. They can provide monetary donations, school supplies, or educational or audio-visual materials.

Whatever the level of membership, all are expected to participate in assisting those around them to understand the illiteracy problem in Haiti. Each member is expected to advocate for all schools in Haiti to teach courses in the mother tongue of Haitians.

KEPKAA's Board of Directors consists of 7 members; they are: 1 President, 1 Vice-President, 1 Coordinator, 1 Treasurer, 1 Assistant Treasurer, and 2 Councilors. These Officers are elected for 2-year terms. This voting is done during a General Assembly Meeting of all members.

This leadership team carries the responsibility of administrating all matters related to KEPKAA and must inform members of all its activities. Each year, they must submit a report to each member in good standing.

Those who finance KEPKAA are members, collaborators, and partners. Another major means of KEPKAA fundraising is the organization of cultural events. Our Strategy rests upon the development of solidarity linkages with organizations such as: community organizations, labor unions, universities, foundations, regional associations, socio-professional associations, youth groups, private enterprise, etc.

KEPKAA holds no special allegiance to anyone but the people of Haiti who want to learn to read and write. KEPKAA encourages all of us to advocate for an educational system which fits the needs of its citizens, an educational system which will not tolerate violence, an educational system which will permit each individual to express his own thoughts. KEPKAA is willing to work with anyone who wishes to form a chain of solidarity to liberate the spirits of people held in the darkness of illiteracy, especially those in Haiti. KEPKAA respects the rights of all political, religious, and ideological groups and adherents. KEPKAA will not accept in its midst anyone who preaches racism or violence. KEPKAA will not accept the gifts of any political party or any group working against the State.

To pay membership fees or to send monetary gifts to KEPKAA, there are two possibilities:

1st Choice: Mail a certified check issued in the name of KEPKAA to this address:

KEPKAA
C.P. 65060, Succ. Place Longueuil
Longueuil, Québec, Canada, J4K 5J4.

2nd Choice: Deposit money to the KEPKAA bank account.

Name of bank: BANQUE DE MONTRÉAL
Account Number: 8070-346
Transit Number: 0169

Be sure to keep your receipt and please send a copy to KEPKAA at the above address.

No matter where you live, no matter what your nationality, if the illiteracy problem in Haiti interests you; if you wish to contribute to wipe out this cancer, KEPKAA invites you to work shoulder-to-shoulder with us to change this situation.

To be involved, the first thing you need to do is to become a member of KEPKAA. Fill out the application form which is placed further down this page. In addition, help us to collect school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, pens, chalk, rulers, books, educational materials, etc. KEPKAA will gather these materials together, get them to Haiti, and distribute them amongst the groups which are working across the land to teach Haitians to learn how to read and write.

If the city where you live is not listed below, KEPKAA would love to receive a proposal from you for making you their representative in your area. Doing this will help us to complete our task. Below are the addresses where you can drop off your literacy materials / school supplies:


WHERE TO DROP OFF YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES:

MONTRÉAL, CANADA
Centre Petite Enfance Beau Sourire
3333, Boul. Rosemont
Montréal, Qc, CANADA
Tel. (514) 727-5321

TORONTO, CANADA
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

VILLE DE QUÉBEC, CANADA
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

OTTAWA, CANADA
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

WASHINGTON, DC, USA
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

BOSTON, MASS. USA
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. USA
Parnel Store
75 Dudley street, Mass. 02140 USA
Tel. (617) 354-4155

MIAMI, FLA. USA
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

NEW YORK, USA
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

ATLANTA, GA. USA
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

PARIS, FRANCE
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

DEPT DU CENTRE, HAÏTI
Secours aux Aveugles, Autres Handicapés
et Démunis du Dept du Centre (S.A.H.D.E.C.)
a/s Madame Inesse Joseph
2, Rue Borneau, Tête de l'Eau
Pétion-ville, Haïti (W.I.)
E-mail: sadinesse@hotmail.com
Tel. (509) 257-1723

PORT-DE-PAIX
Collège Évangélique Christ-roi
A/s Wilson Alcime
Rue du Quai, # 01
Port-de-Paix, Haïti (W.I.)
Tel. (509) 268-6552

PESTEL, HAÏTI
Les Associés de la Mission Iles Cayémites
A/s Raymond Mailhiot, O.F.M
Pestel, Grand-Anse, Haïti (W.I.)
Tel. (509) 245-4523

JÉRÉMIE, HAÏTI
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

GONAÏVES, HAÏTI
We are in search of a contact address and a representative to serve this region; if you are interested, please contact us at: kepkaa@attcanada.ca.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAÏTI
Faculté de Linguistique Appliquée
Université d'Etat d'Haïti
38, Rue Dufort (Bois-Verna)
Port-au-Prince, Haïti (W.I.)
E-mail: fla-ueh@netcourrier.com
Fax: (509)245-9153

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAÏTI
Jean-Harry Clerveau
86, Ave Miller, à l'étage
Port-au-Prince, Haïti (W.I.)
Tel. (509) 244-1777 / 1676

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAÏTI
Centre d'Éducation Spéciale (C.E.S.)
73, Rue de l'Enterrement
Port-au-Prince, Haïti (W.I.)
Tel. (509) 222-5547

CAP-HAÏTIEN, HAÏTI
Tribune d'Haïti
a/s Gérard L. Mésidor
426, Rue du Belair
Cap-Haïtien, Haïti (W.I.)
Tel. (509) 262-1260 / 9679
E-mail: initiativecitoyenne@yahoo.fr

JACMEL, HAÏTI
Association des Planteurs pour le développement de Meyer
(A.P.L.A.D.E.M.)
a/s Francette Louis
Route de Meyer, près de l'Église Sacré-cour
Jacmel, Haïti (W.I.)
Tel. (509) 288-3185

CAYES, HAÏTI
La Croix Rouge Haïtienne
A/s M. Jean-Renand Valière, Prés.
111, rue Auxilius Fougère
Cayes, Haïti (W.I.)
Tel. (509) 286-0048 / 485 0252

CHANTAL, CAYES, HAÏTI
Association pour le Relèvement de Chantal (ARDEC)
45, Rue Nicolas Geffrard
Chantal, Cayes, Haïti (W.I.)
Tel. (509) 286-2150

* My full name:



* My full address is:



* My phone number is:



Write OK:

* I agree with KEPKAA's objectives:


* I want to become an active member:


* I want to become an honorary member:


* I am mailing in the equivalent of $25 CDN for my subscription:


* I want to promote KEPKAA events:


* I want to promote the Annual Montreal International Creole Day Celebration:


* I want to provide school supplies (notebooks, pencils, chalk, etc.):


* My occupation is ________________, I am willing to offer my services for no charge:



* Signature:


* Date:



REMARKS:

Please fill in the above form and return it to us via email (kepkaa@attcanada.ca) or via post to the following address:

KEPKAA
C.P. 65060, Succ. Place Longueuil
Longueuil, Québec, Canada, J4K 5J4

Links

HOMMAGE: EMMANUEL PIERRE-CHARLES (1945-2002) 

INTERNATIONAL CREOLE DAY 2001 

INTERNATIONAL CREOLE DAY 2000 

Page Créole: «île en île» 

Creole Links Page: «The Creole Clearinghouse» 

KEPKAA
C.P. 65060, Succ. Place Longueuil
Longueuil, Québec, Canada, J4K 5J4

Tel: (450) 651-0157
Email: kepkaa@attcanada.ca

Courtesy of The Creole Clearinghouse