Mike Bellot, the CEO of solar-powered backpack company Solo Bag, was kidnapped Saturday as Haiti’s kidnapping crisis continues.
Bellot was among entrepreneurs featured in a Forbes piece about reinventing Haiti’s narrative. His company provides backpacks with solar-powered lights to help students study at night since access to electricity in Haiti is so limited.
Bellot was also among the 100 winners of Meaningful Business in 2020 and the Young International Chamber (JCI-Haiti) selected him as The Most Outstanding Young Person of the Year in 2019. Source
New park opens in northeast commune
Government officials inaugurated a new park in the Northeastern Department Saturday. The public park, called Parc Saint Sylvestre, is in Mombin Crochu, a commune northeast of Hinche.
“This park’s construction followed by the inauguration proves to everyone that the president of the republic [Jovenel Moïse] doesn’t intend to backtrack when it comes to his commitment and the promises he made,” said Fils-Aimé Saint Fleur of the Monetization Office for Development Assistance Programs (BMPAD).
BMPAD also inaugurated a park in Bois de Laurence, another commune in the Northeastern Department in September. Source
Soccer committee chooses Violette as national champion after deadly clash
The national soccer league committee on Friday named Violette Athletic Club as the 2020 champion over Arcahaie Football Club after the final match was suspended due to a deadly clash between fans.
The Commission of the Organization of the Haitian Soccer Championship (COCHAFOP) wrote in a public note that according to referees, Arcahaie fans threatened Violette fans before the match, then attempted to prevent police officers from entering the stadium, Parc Saint Yves. In a fight that ensued between fans, one person died.
COCHAFOP restricted Arcahaie from playing its next five matches at Parc Saint Yves and also announced that Archaie had lost the game. Arcahaie sent a letter to COCHAFOP saying the team will legally challenge the committee’s ruling.
Onz Chery started his writing career as a City College of New York student with The Campus. He also wrote for First Touch, Cosmopolitan Soccer League, and other local leagues. After graduating, Onz became one of ESNY’s sports journalists then joined The Haitian Times.
