It was in 1963, following extensive damage caused by the passage of Flora in Haiti, that the first Haitian immigrants from Jacmel, Les Cayes and Daquin are arrived in Guyana. Since then, the migratory movement has continued and today the Haitian constitute the most important diaspora in Guyana. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies French (INSEE) the Haitians would be 33,500 however, Jacques Raphael Marcellus, Consul of Haiti in Guyana believes that "if we refer to the index of consumption, I think that there are between 40,000 and 50,000 people in regular and irregular situation."

This weekend, the Kombit Association, the Consulate of Haiti, the region and the city of Matoury pay tribute to the first arrivals. Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Palais Omnisports Guyane of Matoury(Roundabout Lamirande), food stands and performance of "Jackito", "Neg Dahomey" and the "Mécènes" await visitors (invitation to withdraw to Radio Mosaïque, Cité Brutus in Cayenne).

"It is also athanks to the Guyanese population which has so well received Haitians," declared the Consul Marcellus, which explains why these two days will also help to make know this Guyanese population to the rest of the Diaspora "We invited several journalists of Haiti and members of government. We often speak of Haitian of New York or Canada, but abroad, you do not necessarily know where Guyana..."

"Between 1963 and 2013, there is a world of difference [...] the first Haitian immigrants arrived barefoot, uneducated and had the wisdom to send their children to study. These children have chosen to return to Guyana [...] Today, there are even who engage in politics like in the town hall of Cayenne or that of Matoury," stressed the Consul of Haiti.

PI/ HaitiLibre