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Chico nonprofit brings in the new year with a celebration for Haiti

Jean Chrislot Michaud and Debi Moore at the North State Public Radio in Chico, Calif. On Dec. 9, 2024.
Angel Huracha
/
NSPR
Jean Chrislot Michaud and Debi Moore at the North State Public Radio in Chico, Calif. On Dec. 9, 2024.

From impoverished beginnings in Haiti to the small town of Chico, Jean Chrislot Michaud continues to give back with a Haiti's Independence Day fundraiser.

Michaud will hold the event as part of his Christian organization, Sharing Blessings to Others (S.B.O.), which is focused on aiding children in Haiti.

“I figured out that there are a lot of people who only know about Haiti when they're in a disaster like an earthquake,” Michaud said. “That's always stayed with me, and I was like, how can I introduce Haiti, more of the Haitian culture, to people in Chico. And also let people know what I'm doing for the Haitian community.”

Michaud will lead the event at the Fraternal Order of Eagles on Mulberry Street on Jan. 1.

Celebrating Haiti in Chico

Having lived in Chico for more than a decade, Michaud values sharing his Haitian culture with residents.

“Having the Chico community involved to help my community in Haiti is something that I think is important because it's not only helping me, but it's also a connection between two communities,” Michaud said.

Michaud’s connection to Chico began while working as an interpreter for Samaritan’s Purse, where he met Chico resident Debi Moore.

“I'm just overwhelmed by his success and the fact that he was able to get a college education in a language that's not even his own,” Moore said. “He worked so hard, and I'm so proud of him, and I'm just so happy to be a part of it.”

Moore met Michaud while on a mission trip to Haiti following a cholera outbreak in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake. During her time there, she formed a strong bond with him.

Moore and her husband recognized his potential and sponsored Michaud's education in the United States. He completed language school, graduated from Butte College and Chico State, and, 11 years later, established a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational opportunities for Haitian children.

This endeavor served as Michaud's way of giving back to his home country.

“I feel like whatever he sets his mind to, he does,” Moore said. “ And I just ask, how can I help? I try to get out of his way because he's going places.”

Haiti Independence Day event flyer
Jean Chrislot Michaud
/
Facebook
Haiti Independence Day event flyer

Starting Sharing Blessings With Others

Michaud’s aid organization debuted in 2017. It would obtain official nonprofit status in 2020.

“We empower the individual to break up the cycle of poverty and contribute meaningfully to the communities,” Michaud said. “And the way we do that, we have different activities, we have the summer camp activities, and also we have [a] sponsoring scholarship program.”

The nonprofit raises money from donations and by reselling handcrafted goods, including necklaces, bracelets and clothing.

“Many of [the children] probably would not be able to go [to school] without our support and contribution to the communities,” Michaud said.

They also provide school supplies and prepare the children for the school year. Much of the supplies are purchased in Haiti to give back to the economy.

“They utilize local Haitian artisans to make the backpacks,” Moore said. ”It's not just buying a slew of them in the U.S. and taking them there, it actually supports the community there and their businesses and helps them out financially.”

Independence Day celebration

The Independence Day celebration will explore Haiti’s culture, provide details about S.B.O.’s mission, and share authentic cuisine, including Soup Joumou.

In the past this pumpkin soup was only reserved for slave owners. When Haitians gained independence from France, they reclaimed ownership of the soup, transforming it into a symbol of their newfound freedom, dignity and resilience.

“After we won the battle against one of the biggest army in the world, at that time [it] was the Napoleon army from France,” Michaud said. “Then, in a way to celebrate that victory, we choose the pumpkin soup that was not granted to us to drink.”

The Independence Day celebration will include traditional Haitian music, feature pieces highlighting Haitian craftsmanship, and raffle prizes donated by those in town. Each admission ticket comes with one raffle ticket.

Angel Huracha has been a part of the journalism field since 2006 and has covered a range of topics. He is a graduate of Chico State with a Bachelor's degree in news-editorial and public relations with a minor in English.