What a privilege and honor to present another episode of dear colleague and guardian angel, Rocky Paurice. He’s a friend and co-founder of N a Sonje Vèt which has dedicated its work to the same philosophy of permaculture which is to take care of the earth and take care of people, wherever we are! N a Sonje
This is a very special episode for us as it is with our very special colleague, close friend and confidant, Rocky Paurice. His mother, unbeknownst to her, is also included, with her permission, her personal story of Rocky’s birth. This is our offering together with Rocky and his mother, full of interesting details and explanations of life here from these awesome people whose hearts glow even in the midst of these extremely dark and difficult times here in Haiti but entire world. It is an honor to Rocky’s and his mother’s voices with a few bars from another of our dear friends, Najee’s original song “Lamou” or love. N a Sonje
Remembering once again the tragic day January 12, 2010. 15 years ago but still trembling in the societal fallout today in 2025. Perhaps children lost in the rubble searching for parents, family members in that quake, have become the lost bandits of today wreaking havoc, creating quake after quake of devastation that was so engraved in their brains on that fateful day so many years ago-perhaps. Or perhaps its just the continuation of the catastrophe that civilization is wreaking on our planet?
Our show notes include the total translation of the abridged audio of Mona Augustin's original song composed right after the earthquake "Haiti in Mourning" as well as our standard notes. N a Sonje!
Haiti in Mourning
When Ayiti was dancing
All her children were thinking
She was dancing a dance of hope
Their hearts had a folklore joy
Their lips had a galaxy smile
And their eyes contemplated another life
But in a very short time
Ayiti was beaten down on her knees
It was Mr. Catastrophe
Crushing, wiping out, killing
Haiti in mourning
Her children are boiling leaves
So they don’t die
They are so traumatized
Haiti Is sick
Please come and clothe her
She is trembling
She is biting her nails
She can’t any more
She saw too many children die
She’s going crazy
She calls out for help
With her father, the sun
Who always gives the best advice
And who said to her
She’s in trouble
The enemy is making war
With her mother who is the earth
The sun says my child I’ll give you light
To bring your mother out of her sadness
Now call your mother’s other children
To come help you and your children
Haiti did that
And they came in willing to help
They said, you are our aunt
We owe you love
Here, we’re helping you
To help yourselves
Because today it’s your turn
And tomorrow it may be ours
Your problem could be ours too
Haiti is remade
Because it understand Mother earth
Who smiled
Life isn’t over
Now it’s to work
Even the night gave the unemployed work
She did that
Because she’s behind
Haiti is pregnant
It’s the time she needs more strength
For her to give birth
To many children
She called Father Sun
Who always give her good advice
To ask for more energy
To replace those that were lost
On the earth, our dear mother
our Youtube channel
The N a Sonje Foundation website (in desperate need of updating)
The link to Najee's Etsy shop
Our band's award winning song "Women" video on our YouTube channel
Our band's album on Spotify
Folk band "Chouk Bwa Libète" links
The English translation of our theme song "N a Sonje" by Mona Augustin performed by our band "2 Roots or 2 Rasin":
"We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back Into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago"
We believe finishing the year with wisdom, knowledge and yet together with the anguish that exists so close to all of us will help bring more understanding to where we are for a new year to be lived with more compassion.
Noam Chomsky is world renowned for his pioneering in linguistics but also his very astute study and experience of the world and in particular the US’s relationship to Haiti so his 96 years on the planet are extremely valuable and important!
I tried to translate not just the words but the desperation from the voices of the women who ran from their homes the night of November 13-14 2024. May their voices tear at our hearts to take action so that no more illegal weapons smuggled out of the US!
Excuse the less than perfect sounds and volumes of the audio, I’m still learning, and the environment is very active here and definitely not sound proof!
Blessings to all!
This episode, unfortunately held up by the low internet, includes a reposting of renowned Haitian historian, Eddy Lubin as he recounts the worldwide fateful events of November 18th-19th 1803 because it was the last battle for independence that all Haitians believe they continue to pay for their freedom to this day. It is quite detailed, enjoy the drama Eddy provides! We also include a very recent short speech by now former Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mdm Dominique Dupuy as she decries the violent and forceful eviction of Haitians who had fled the terror the gangs in their homes to try and find refuge in the DR.
Here are our links as well: (check other episodes for more links)
The N a Sonje Foundation website (in desperate need of updating)
The link to Najee's Etsy shop
Our band's award winning song "Women" video on our YouTube channel
Our band's album on Spotify
Part 2 of an episode featured on Earthkeepers podcast done with Ron and Carla during their forced "exile"
The music from the stars recorded in space and sent to earth from Polaris Dawn crewmember and violinist
@Gillis_SarahE invites you to enjoy this music moment in support of @StJude & @ElSistemaUSA
http://polarisprogram.com/music
Paypal: nasonje@gmail.com
The N a Sonje Foundation website (in desperate need of updating)
The link to Najee's Etsy shop
Our band's award winning song "Women" video on our YouTube channel
Our band's album on Spotify
Folk band "Chouk Bwa Libète" links
The English translation of our theme song "N a Sonje" by Mona Augustin performed by our band "2 Roots or 2 Rasin":
"We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago"
An episode from an another podcast with permssion from Earthkeepers podcast from 2022, more of Ron and Carla's own personal story still relevant in 2024, unfortunately. Music from the stars on the Polaris star craft orbiting the earth accompanied by the youth orchestra in Haiti as well as in several other countries around the globe.
Paypal: nasonje@gmail.com
The N a Sonje Foundation website (in desperate need of updating)
The link to Najee's Etsy shop
Our band's award winning song "Women" video on our YouTube channel
Our band's album on Spotify
Folk band "Chouk Bwa Libète" links
The English translation of our theme song "N a Sonje" by Mona Augustin performed by our band "2 Roots or 2 Rasin":
"We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back Into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago"
This episode brings more on the ground context to the cultural and political context of today’s extreme crisis, but also take a listen to the previous episode before this one, season 2 number 5, to get information about what you can do to help through democratic participation to the struggle to stop the smuggling illegal weapons into Haiti. You will hear our beloved staff member, Yaya (who has 3 previous episodes), another friend of ours of 40 years who’s been through it all as a peasant leader, and then a former cabinet member of a previous government all speak about the situation from their perspective. And the sweet greeting from my market lady friend and neighbor who used to sell vegetables to me from her donkey. She also provides her take on the situation as well. The very troubling and devastating loss of the young man who used to come every day and help me in the kitchen, of his untimely demise as the ultimate price paid every day by hundreds if not thousands of vulnerable young men and women, all because of the GUNS!!! A special tribute to Toto Bissainthe who sings the chilling song called “Dey” which means mourning or grieving as well as to the songs of the peasant farmers of the Artibonite.
The N a Sonje Foundation website (in desperate need of updating)
The link to Najee's Etsy shop
Our band's award winning song "Women" video on our YouTube channel
Our band's album on Spotify
Folk band "Chouk Bwa Libète" links
The English translation of our theme song "N a Sonje" by Mona Augustin performed by our band "2 Roots or 2 Rasin":
"We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back Into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago"
“Join Us in Calling On The U.S. Government to
Stop Illegal Arms To Haiti”
This is a special edition to inform our listeners to a webinar, plus our own opinions about the disastrous policies that are causing the dear Haitian people to seek safety and work in a place they "thought" could give them those dreams for themselves and their families, all driven by the senseless destruction by heavy, sophisticated automatic weapons manufactured in the United States and primarily smuggled from Florida! Listen to learn how you can also participate in pressuring congress through your own representatives to promote more logical and just legislation to put into real law and practice.
Here are links to learn more for this advocacy that will be happening in DC on Sept 25th and 26th as well as a shout out to Welele (see his episode to know more), for his drumming tracks he so graciously gave me!
Here's contact for one of the sponsoring organizations for the advocacy days you can contact for more info of how to get involved: Quixote Center, P.O Box 1950, Greenbelt, MD 20768 301-699-0042 www.quixote.org
https://jcor2030.org/stop-illegal-u-s-arms-to-haiti-advocacy-days/
Where you’ll find a summary of legislature proposals for weapons trafficking from June 2024.
The links for the guns and ammunition research:
The links to the regular portions of our episodes are:
The N a Sonje Foundation YouTube channel
The N a Sonje Foundation website (in desperate need of updating)
The link to Najee's Etsy shop
Our band's award winning song "Women" video on our YouTube channel
Our band's album on Spotify
Folk band "Chouk Bwa Libète" links
The English translation of our theme song "N a Sonje" by Mona Augustin performed by our band "2 Roots or 2 Rasin":
"We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back Into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago"
Links to videos mentioned in all of Yaya's episodes:
A video of Bertine singing and dancing while showing a group of visitors how to roast and pound coffee.
The N a Sonje Foundation website (in desperate need of updating)
A short video of Jutith’s commerce thank you.
Manno’s video on our Youtube channel
The N a Sonje Foundation YouTube channel
The link to Najee's Etsy shop
Our band's award winning song "Women" video on our YouTube channel
Our band's album on Spotify
Folk band "Chouk Bwa Libète" links
And the English translation of our theme song "N a Sonje":
"We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back Into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago"
The episode photo is of Yaya, his birth mother Clairdora Véillard or as affectionately called "Dodo" and myself at Yaya's going away to college party in 2016. All nicknames in Haiti originate from loving relations who grow up knowing that giving respect in this tender way makes one's nickname very special.
Here are some links to see Yaya in action in a video and other supporting links:
Yaya and I doing a fundraising video to rebuild our "beloved" choukoun
The historical mime/drama "3 innocents and a spirit" from our 5 year anniversary celebration on our Youtube channel, though Yaya was already away at college in the US at the time.
The N a Sonje Foundation, our home and Yaya's community on google maps location
The link to the “Memory Village blog” that we started when the idea came about in 2002 where you can see a slide show of the vision.
A short video of Judith’s commerce thank you.
The link to Najee's Etsy shop
Our band's award winning song "Women" video on our YouTube channel
Our band's album on Spotify
Folk band "Chouk Bwa Libète" links
And the English translation of our theme song "N a Sonje":
"We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back Into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago"
The episode photo is in the Bluntschli home at the N a Sonje Foundation center in Gwo Jan with Yaya in the back far left with children from the local youth organization along with our 2 grandchildren in the mix.
Here are some of the links I refer to in the episode:
To see Yaya's mother/aunt in fine form on our YouTube channel here
Yaya and I making a fundraiser for our "choukoun" or meeting house gazebo in the middle of the N a Sonje Foundation center.
To visit the site of the school, LKM where Yaya is curerently employed.
And just to see the area of Gwo Jan in relation to Port-au-Prince on this internet map.
Of course credits to our songwriter Mona Augustin and band 2 Rasin for the song "N a Sonje" with the English translation below here and music video of UN award winning song "Women".
The band Chouk Bwa Libete
And our Etsy shop showcasing Najee's original art for sale and remember our listener support button to keep our friends and colleagues alive during this brutal time!
Here's the English translation of the theme song, "N a Sonje"
"We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back Into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago"
We're back for season 2! We thought we would have been able to go back to Haiti before this so we put a hold on our podcast thinking it would be disrupted if we were to go back but we're still waiting with hope! For more info about the music in the other sections of the podcast go to the episode "Ground Zero" but still a shout out to Mona Augustin and our 2 Roots band as well as "Chouk Libète". Peace and blessings to all!
Here are the lyrics and the link to the awesome little reggae song by a dear friend who came to visit us in Haiti so he came to know us and our home where we actually do have a fire that we use to cook on!
Lyrics
Old man Ron with his locks so long
Inna the world, he stand up strong - strong-willed
Carla by his side with her sweet, sweet tone
Humming songs to make their house a home
Everyday, she shines her love, oh yes
[Refrain]
Ron, he's rough inna this town
Lion soup on the stove a-simmer low
Carla’s love, it make the hard man glow
With his dreadlocks swayin’ he ain’t movin’ fast
But with his Carla by him, their love's built to last
[Verse 2]
'Round the fire, Carla plays her strings
Songs of love, of life, of all simple things
Past the fields where the wild irie blows
Through the trials, their love only grows - grows strong
Old man Ron with his heart on his sleeve
Finds his calm in the tunes Carla weaves
Inside, their spirits, they soar, endless bliss
[Refrain]
Ron swears he's a warrior, tough as the stone
He's like the oak and she's the gentle breeze
Carla’s care, it puts his mind at ease - ease his rage
Smooth as the sea, her melody flows
In the kitchen, where that lion soup's in rows
[Rhythmic Bridge]
Ron may be stern, but he's her anchor, her charm
In Carla's arms, there's no need for alarm
The women of our community spoke about their reality in a recording I did in 2022 but still is relevant if not even more so in 2024! Enjoy the variety of ages and stories from their lives in this episode.
We, of course, feature our band's award winning song "Women I'm Defending Women". It is a music video as well that you can see at this link
And you can also find that song as well as the songs from the Intro and Outro portions of each episode at this link on spotify or on amazon here or at apple.com
Looking for some unique and original music for your Valentine's Day? Take a moment to listen to Mona Augustin's songs that our band, 2 Roots (2 Rasin (ra-seen in Haitian Creole) recorded a couple of years ago and Najee's beautiful song about the essence of love! We hope your day was filled with the love that is embued in our universe, we just have to tap into it!
The music in the intro is from our album with the UN award winning song "Women, I'm Defending Women" as the title song which you can see our music video here and about our album 2 Roots album.
We Will Remember is the English version of the Haitian Creole phrase N a Sonje which we use to name our Foundation, the N a Sonje Foundation.
Our first or Ground Zero episode is where we weave our own band's music, 2 Roots and music I recorded in Haiti over the years adding some of Ron's special fingerpicking audio together with the voices of co-hosts Carla and Ron (that's us), currently refugees in the US along with audio in Haiti from our Haitian colleagues, co-founders of N a Sonje Vèt, Rocky (see them in this video) and Najee.
The music in the intro is from our band, 2 Roots', album with the UN award winning song "Women, I'm Defending Women" as the title song which you can see our music video here and about our album 2 Roots album.
Here's the English translation of the theme song, "N a Sonje"
We will remember, and not forget what happened
Let’s take a look back Into the world gone by and we’ll see
How our ancestors were in Africa before they carried us away to America
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago it wasn’t the natives of this land that did that to them
It was another nation who had as their mission to make others slaves, making so many cadavers
Pillaging, killing - Indians and Africans in making them work for nothing
This is how their countries became powerful by spilling so much blood.
Ref: Sing for Africa, Sing for America Honor for Africa, Honor for America
Who lost so many in the years long ago
This is/was a surprise edition dedicated to co-host Ron Bluntschli for his 69th birthday. Enjoy the diversity of voices, songs, wishes, and wisdom from our home community in Haiti, Canada, the US, the DR and even Costa Rica! Ron's guitar makes the day!
The video Djalòki refers to is one that our granddaughter made while Ron was making his ritual ramen and egg breakfast, it's quite a hoot! Things you do when in exile!
Blessings and many thanks to all the voices and well wishes from everyone and to those who take the time to give a listen. It's good to be connected even virtually!
N a Sonje!
A UN designated day for Education, January 24th. To be educated, what does that mean, especially in Haiti, what does it take? Amazing stories from our community and this is just the tip of the iceberg. As always we believe that each life and each story on our podcast represents thousands of others, like precious gems in a toolbox, as well.
Dieuny is staff with the N a Sonje Foundation and the photo for this episode is Dieuny, me and Mackencia in costume for a history presentation we were giving to a university in the Dominican Republic in 2018, I think. In Dieuny's story he tells about the play he saw for the fist time and then became a staff person himself as well as one of the actors too! There is a video of this play called "3 Innocents and a spirit" that was filmed for the Foundation's 5th anniversary celebration. And remember the listener support for this episode will go to help Dieuny finish his dissertation to finally get his degree!
I hope you feel taken to location as you hear the children play and the wind blowing from time to time in Dieuny's story as he sits outside to record on his phone since the internet connection wasn't strong enough to do a direct conversation.
2 Roots music, uncut version plays another song as intro and outdo to Dieuny's story.
January 12th 2010 - 14 years ago a more than deadly earthquake hit Ayiti. As a memorial to the day, we offer this episode to the memory and the miracles that happened not ever forgetting the instantaneous death that has haunted the streets of the capital for years and perhaps to this day as we will share these stories of our community with you.
To see the actual Discovery channel YouTube that I refer to and the damning evidence for the extreme level of death and destruction of "Goudougoudou" (Haitian's nickname for the earthquake) watch the video we watched even as we reeled from the effects in our own community and the psychological fall out of this event just a month afterwards.
Hear in full Mona singing and mournful howling out the anguish of this event in his song "Ayiti an Dèy" or "Haiti in Mourning" that our band performed at the French Institute about a year or so after the quake. Here are his poetic words:
"Haiti in mourning"
(poetry is difficult to translate all of the cultural meaning, but I believe the beautiful expression of the spiritual and hopeful feeling comes through)
When Ayiti was dancing
All her children were thinking
She was dancing a dance of hope
Their hearts had a folklore joy
Their lips had a galaxy smile
And their eyes contemplated another life
But in a very short time
Ayiti was beaten down on her knees
It was Mr. Catastrophe
Crushing, wiping out, killing
Haiti's in mourning
Her children are boiling leaves
So they don’t die
They are so traumatized
Haiti is sick
Please come and clothe her
She is trembling
She is biting her nails
She can’t any more
She saw too many children die
She’s going crazy
She calls out for help
With her father, the sun
Who always gives the best advice
And who said to her
She’s in trouble
The enemy is making war
With her mother who is the earth
The sun says my child I’ll give you light
To bring your mother out of her sadness
Now call your mother’s other children
To come help you and your children
Haiti did that
And they came in willing to help
They said, you are our family
We owe you love
Here, we’re helping you
To help yourselves
Because today it’s your turn
And tomorrow it may be ours
Your problem could be ours too
Haiti is remade
Because it understands Mother earth
Who smiled
Life isn’t over
Now it’s to work
Even the night gave the unemployed work
She did that
Because she’s behind
Haiti is pregnant
It’s the time she needs more strength
For her to give birth
To many children
She called Father Sun
Who always give her good advice
To ask for more energy
To replace those that were lost
On the earth, our dear mother
A double portion episode as Independence was fought and WON and then Pumpkin Soup brought health and healing right afterwards until this very day!!!
Some notes for the first part, Madison Smartt Bell's trilogy of the Haitian Revolution, if you don't have time for 3 books, the first, All Souls Rising, is well worth the time!
If you want to know more about the author of the Act of Independence and his writings, he can be found with his name, Boisrond Tonnerre.
If you want to watch a documentary about the real defeat of Napolean that the movie Napolean won't give you: Jean Jacques Dessalines, the man who defeated Napoleon is a great place to go!
For the second portion of the episode, about Soup Joumou, or Freedom Soup, here's a link to a beautiful interview with Dominque Dupuy who was elected as the permanent delegate to UNESCO in 2021, when Soup Joumou was selected to the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She says in the interview with NPR: DUPUY: "This soup means everything."
And of course to know more about the Fondasyon Felicite and their work towards serving each Independence Day, Freedom Soup to thousands across the country.
Thanks to RAM and Smith Joseph for the blast of spirit filled hope in the song "Nan Ginen o, peyi a chanje" With the spirits or angels of Ginen, the country is changed.
And as always to the roots vodou band Chouk Bwa.
And beyond thanks our dearest beloved "son" for his deeply inspiring words.
May yours be blessed in every way! N a Sonje