Carla Bluntschli (with her best and oldest Haitian friend, Madame Antoine)

Carla Bluntschli

Co-founder and Executive Director

I came to Haiti with my husband, Ron, and our 3 young daughters in 1985 as a MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) volunteer. The experiences of living on a hospital compound in a sea of Haitian agricultural villages for 3 years then to an extremely isolated rural mountain community where I homeschooled our children for almost 3 years.  For the last 2 years, Ron and I were administrative assistants in the capital during politically turbulent times which was intensely educational and cracked open vistas of new truths and realities that turned many understandings of mine upside down. After leaving MCC, I co-founded an organization where for 17 years together with Haitian associates we worked with human rights groups, university study tours, journalists, documentary filmmakers, researchers, and others from around the world to offer eye-opening perspectives that I had learned in my first 10 years here in Haiti. I am indebted to the patience and tenderness granted to me and our family that has nourished this quest for more truth of our mutual histories with the belief that reparative and healing relationships are possible and inspired by Haiti’s struggle and courage.

AFSAKA members left to right: Sara Carol Theus, Diline Preston, Myriam Jacques, Mackencia Jean Philippe

AFSAKA

AsosyasyonFanm Solidè pou Avansman Kilti Ayisyen” in English “Association of Women in Solidarity for the Advancement of the Haitian Culture”

AFSAKA is a group of 4 Haitian women created March 22, 2012, who decided to work towards bringing value to the Haitian culture in the eyes of the country as well as for foreigners. These women enjoy knowing that visitors when they finally arrive in Haiti will be able to see the difference from what they heard to what the true reality is in Haiti, knowing that this can produce changes in their perspectives and mentalities. AFSAKA takes pleasure in teaching visitors about their culture, teaching them traditional ways such as: the technology of washing clothes by hand, the traditional way of braiding hair, and providing practical experience in making traditional recipes. The women also teach visitors traditional games and share about their personal lives as women in relation to education, gender roles, and traditional relationships. The women of ASKAKA participate in the historical drama/mime “3 Innocents and a spirit” to teach about the tri-continental history and are proud to participate in this positive change for the image of their country.

Madame Antoine Theus

Food Services

The Theus and Bluntschli families go back to January 19^th, 1985 the first day when the Bluntschli’s arrived in Haiti at the MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) guesthouse where Madame Antoine was the friend and cook for the country representatives at the time.  She has worked for guesthouses for over 40 years but for more than 30 years, our friendship has deepened and grown. Visiting groups are treated to her feasts of Haitian delights, including a rival to any donut you can find in the states!