PALIN MITENK BLOG

Tearful: Wyclef Jean denied that his charity was used for personal gain


Wyclef Jean broke down in tears last night as he promised Haitians that he would be back to help them in their time of need, after denying that the money raised by his charity was used for personal gain.


Clutching a handkerchief and speaking in his native tongue of Creole, he spoke at a press conference broadcast live on his Yéle Haiti foundation website and urged the international community to help evacuate the devastated capital.

'If you don't mind I would want to speak to my people in Haiti,' the 37-year-old singer said. 'So I will speak to them in their own language.'

Jean later translated, saying: 'I told them that I don't cry for myself, that I cry for them.

'I tell them just...give us...a little more time. We're going to be back on the ground on Saturday and we are going to be back on the ground every week to help the situation.'

During his impassioned speech, he asked the international community to help organise a mass exodus of the Haitian capital Port au Prince so that relief agencies can go in and clear the rubble.

And Jean, who is organising a fundraising concert with actor George Clooney, defended his charity, denying that money raised by Yéle Haiti had gone to his own businesses.

The musician, who said he had returned from a three-day trip to Haiti, insisted that residents should be evacuated to tent cities outside Port-au-Prince to allow for aid to reach them and so cleanup can begin in earnest.

And he asked for help from around the world in building encampments and urged people to help fund the distribution of tents to house the refugees in the interim.


Grammy Award-winning musician Wyclef Jean holds up his U.S. Green Card and his Haitian passport as he urges a mass exodus from Port-au-Prince


Homebound: Wyclef Jean arriving at the airport in Port-au-Prince last week for a three-day trip to help his fellow Haitians


'We need to migrate at least 2 million people,' he said, promising to draw on his status as one of Haiti's favorite sons to aid in such an effort.

'I give you my word, if I tell them to go, they will go. But they need somewhere to go to'

His organisation has drawn fire in recent days as some groups which vet charities raised doubts about its accounting practices and ability to function in a nation devastated by last week's earthquake.


source: dailymail