Building a stronger Jamaica-Haiti bond
NEWLY-APPOINTED Governor of Rotary International’s District 7020, Dr Robert Leger, said he is hoping there will be closer ties between Jamaica and his native Haiti very soon, including the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
Dr Leger, who assumed the post of Governor on July 1 this year, made his comments in an interview with Hospitality Jamaica following his address to the Rotary Clubs of Lucea and Negril at the Charela Inn last Thursday. The general surgeon was in Jamaica on official club duties, which included familiarisation visits to all 26 Rotary Clubs on the island.
“Every time I come to Jamaica, I really feel at home. It is so green; the people are so warm and welcoming and you have this feeling to be at home that I like. That’s why I like to come to Jamaica,” he said, adding that he was impressed by the state of Jamaica’s natural environment.
“You have a natural paradise that I hope Jamaica will continue to protect. You protect the environment and I am so proud of you. And, I hope in my country, Haiti, they will try to do the same. We, too, have a beautiful country, but there needs to be more effort to protect the environment,” Dr Leger, added.
With respect to the resumption of direct flights between Jamaica and Haiti, Dr Leger said he was hoping that through renewed crosscultural events set to be promulgated by Rotary this will be brought to fruition. At present, there are only two routes to get between both islands, that being via Miami, or via Turks and Caicos.
“With new facilities between the islands, I hope someday that there will be direct flights between both countries, so both people can go to each other’s countries and enjoy being together. With Rotary, which is a big family, we hope the relationship can become even closer,” Dr Leger said.
“I remember my first flight to go to study in Mexico, it was a direct flight from Port-au-Prince to Kingston and I changed flights from Kingston to Mexico. It existed in the past and I hope in the future it will exist again,” he stated.
He added: “The language is our first barrier. We speak French and Haitian Creole and you speak English. But now, with social media, things are easier and faster. I think that now we can manage and, with the new generation, I think things will change.”