2010 Advocate Colette Lespinasse’s work with Haiti’s urban poor started in the 1980s, when she began meeting with civil society groups to talk about the country’s conditions. She quickly found an opportunity at the Catholic radio station, Radio Soleil, which was broadcasting information and education awareness programs nationally. She later began to focus on migrant rights to address discrimination against Haitians in the Dominican Republic. Colette says, “When the Dominican Republic expelled over 80,000 Haitians during the Aristide administration, I created my organization GARR because I wanted to improve relations and offer humanitarian assistance.” She has since opened up constructive dialogue between Haitians and Dominicans in the Dominican Republic.
