The First Lady, Sophia Martelly, accompanied by Michaëlle Jean, the UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti, of Ms. Gabrielle Hyacinthe, President of the communal of Port-au-Prince, of Emmanuel Ménard, Director of the National Library and writers Emmelie Prophète and Paula C. Péan, has proceeded, Friday, June 15, to the Friday, June 15, distribution of books to students of municipal schools of Port-au-Prince during a meeting at the National Library of Haiti, as part of the commemoration of 263 years of the foundation of the capital.

By this gesture, the First Lady wanted to encourage the reading among young people, at a time where the Municipal Council of Port-au-Prince talks of physical improvement of communal schools and of strengthening of their libraries.

In their respective interventions Emmanuel Ménard and Ms. Gabrielle Hyacinthe, stressed the heritage aspect of the town, through buildings, events, personalities, that have marked its history. The President of the communal Commission of Port-au-Prince, has emphasized on the necessity for citizens to become more involved in the reconstruction of Port-au-Prince, while encouraging a new form of citizenship.

At this event, Michaëlle Jean and writer Emmelie Prophète, have respectively read excerpts from "Ti Prens lan", the translation of Gary Victor, of the "Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery; and of "Flè dizè" of the storyteller Jean Claude Martineau [aka "Koralen"]. The reading session of texts was followed by a theatrical creation around the 35 neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince.

Sophia Martelly, wished long life and prosperity to all Port-au-Princiens and reiterated its commitment to the development of their children, pillar of the society "The priority accorded to them this year, as part of 263 years of the foundation of Port-au-Prince, is a sign that the Haitian government is progressing towards a path of sustainable development, based on the training of young people."

HL/ HaitiLibre