Buteau was born in Port-au-Prince and raised in Port-à-Piment, He and his family emigrated to the United States on Christmas Eve 1993.

He last visited Haiti two months ago to lead a retreat for young people.

This time safety was such a big concern with the continuing violence that for the first time that he can remember, he spent most of his time in his hotel. He couldn’t visit the family home and some relatives had already fled to safer parts of the country.

He is collecting funds to send to a team on the ground to distribute hygiene items. He hopes to reach out to local Haitian congregations here but it’s open to anyone who wants to contribute.

He said he noticed there has not been as much media attention compared to wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel against Hamas.

“Things would have to be extremely dire for us, before they pay us attention,” he said. “Ukraine gets play by play. We get every detail. It has to tbe he worst things ever before people pay attention. If the media had given us more attention the politicians would pay more attention.”

“Haiti has seen violence before,” he said. “That earlier violence was by European hands, American hands when the U.S. invaded Haiti. Even our independence came from the Haitian revolution. All these powerful nations had a hand in Haiti.”

Hard for people to help because “we can’t send things and even if you send money …to get money in people’s hand is hard. Banks are keeping fewer items and even cash.”

When Haiti declared its independence in 1804 it was “a beacon of light,” he said. “We shed our blood for freedom. Haiti has a rich history. There was promise in Haiti.”

He believes Haiti will survive this, too. He’s even making plans to return to Haiti this summer to start a youth orchestra. “This shows how hopeful I am,” he said. “Haiti cannot stand without the diaspora (getting involved.)”

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