Cite Soleil, Home of Urban
Tap Tap Garden

I was writing some local friends about signs of Hope in our resistance to violence when this invitation came from my friend, Daniel Tillas, in Haiti. I made some modifications and additions, including links to the letter so you can better understand how this is a sign of Hope in the inquiry: Haiti, Return to Slavery Or Freedom? I pass the invitation on to you. Daniel was our translator for our SOA Watch delegation to Haiti. When we were in Cite Soleil, an extremely impoverished and densely populated commune located in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, one of the delegation asked Daniel what did he most want for people of Haiti. Without any hesitation he said: to grow our own food. This response makes this invitation very special and a sign of hope.

To all friends of HOPE who will be in Haiti this week

On behalf of Pax-Christi Ayiti, Bochika and SOIL, it is our pleasure to invite you as an esteemed guest to the grand inauguration of the Jaden Tap Tap (Tap Tap Garden) [Tap Tap is the name of the local cab system. They are truck with an open back. People sit on benches on both sides of the truck. When they want to get off they tap the floor, thus they are called Tap Tap] and EcoSan Toilet in Cite Soleil on January 22, 2012. As a leader and advocate for the community, we would be most honored by your attendance at this incredible formal launch of this community-driven urban agro-ecology program. The program launch is a testament to the power of positive change in Haiti, particularly in Cite Soleil, and a significant milestone for those who most benefit from the program, especially the youth members and residents of the nearby displacement camp Michiko. It is with incredible respect for your position that we request your attendance at the inauguration.
The Jaden Tap Tap is an acre of former landfill that now symbolizes hope, empowerment, education, and opportunity for the surrounding community. This bountiful garden already has more than 500 brightly painted tires used as planting beds for nutritious fruits and vegetables, a flower garden, and a nursery with over 1000 Moringa saplings. The Jaden Tap Tap is a model for urban agriculture for the neighborhood, country, and the world – demonstrating that bountiful, nutritious gardens can be grown in even the harshest conditions.
The celebration begins at 10 am on Sunday January 22, 2012 and will include a performance by the internationally recognized Haitian musician BelO, food and drink, agricultural demonstrations, youth presentation and performances, and the inauguration of a new community Eco-San toilet, the newest of SOIL’s Eco-San toilets that are providing essential sanitation services to over 70,000 people in urban and rural Haiti. We hope that you will accept our invitation to join us in celebrating the Jaden Tap Tap by placing your RSVP at http://conta.cc/TapTapEvent. Please visit http://bochika.org/taptap to learn more. We would be honored by your attendance; however, you are welcome to invite your staff or colleagues to attend on your behalf.

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