$2 PER BOOK TO HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

To help the disaster relief efforts in Haiti resulting from the powerful earthquake that struck the island on January 12th, Past Forward will donate $2 from every sale of our latest book Where Rivers Meet: The Story of Dr. S. F. Monestime Canada’s First Black Mayor to Doctors Without Borders toward their work in Haiti. As well, to contribute to a further understanding of Haiti, we are publishing here the complete Chapter 2: Haiti to Canada and Appendix 1: Haitian History from the book.

The terrible disaster in Haiti is particularly disturbing to us because over the last three years we have been heavily immersed in the research, writing, publishing and sales of Where Rivers Meet. We have worked side by side with Dr. Monestime's family and with the people of Mattawa to tell the story of a decorated doctor from Haiti and his journey to Canada and the northern Ontario town of Mattawa to eventually be elected Mayor in 1963.

In 2009 the people of Mattawa worked to recognize him during their 125th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of his birth. They decided to dedicate the Council Chamber to his memory on New Years Day with a portrait and memorial presentation and Mattawa’s Main Street as been renamed Monestime Way.

Attending the celebration was Dr. Monestime’s son Daniel, from an early Haitian marriage, along with Daniel's wife Emillie and daughters Margaret and Mai Valentin. Fortunately this meant that they where not in Haiti when the earthquake hit. Daniel, owns a home about an hour's drive outside Port-au-Prince.

On Jan 30, 2010 the people of Mattawa are organising "Change for Haiti" to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief we encourage everyone to support this event and any others in your area and to give generously. The CBC has a site with links to many other charitable organizations you can support.

Paul and Doug Mackey, Past Forward Heritage

Order Where Rivers Meet NOW  from the Past Forward Company Store