The Premier Dame of Haiti

The Premier Dame

Haiti’s First Lady

Haiti family Initiative. Org

Cap Lamandu Hotel

Jacmel, Haiti

Wednesday, August 7, 2013- I met the First Lady of Haiti, the Premier Dame.  For some unexplainable, self-centered reason, I felt compelled to interrupt what she is doing and speak to her about my experience in Haiti. 

She is sitting around the patio in our hotel.  She is at a table, surrounded by two people who are attentively listening to her.  There appears to be several security personnel, stationed around the patio.  No one is armed and no one has any visible telecommunications gadgets.

I walk right up to her and introduce myself.  She graciously stops her conversation and acknowledges me.  She speaks impeccable English, which I must have expected. Nonetheless I am impressed with her command of the English language.  I explain that I am doing in Haiti.  Then I quickly summoned Max to join me.  He runs over, sheepishly but excited to meet Mrs. Montelly.  I tell her about Max’s work at the Foreign Language Institute and our soon-to-open English language library, the first in Jacmel.  I invite her to our opening ceremony but she declines the offer.  I tell her that the Haitians I meet speak highly of her husband because of his commitment to education.  She thanks me and we part company.

Later that night, I meet Gary, the head of her security team.  He is a Haitian- American. He sits at the patio, talking to the other hotel guests.

 "I spoke to the First Lady today,” I tell him in a rather braggart tone.

“Yes, I know, I saw you.  You were with the tall, skinny Haitian.  Did you see me”
 he asks?

“No, where were you?” I ask in a surprised tone because I didn’t see anyone else while I was speaking to the Premiere Dame. I just saw her.

“I was standing right behind you.  I am watching you now.” He tells me with a mixed tone of authority and jest.

He winks at me and we both laugh but I do sense that he wanted me to receive his message and that he will keep a more watchful eye on me.  I tell him about our Wellness Program and the opening of the library.  I suggest that he bring the First Lady around to either of these events for a photo opportunity.  He tells me that her day tomorrow is full so she is unavailable.

He does take down Max’s address and tells us that he will tell the local senator about FLI and he will attempt to get some sort of government aid for Max.

The next morning, I see a Mercedes Benz parked outside our Wellness Program site.  I look in the window. Gary peers out.  He is watching me.  I wave and he waves back and then he nods to the driver and the car slowing takes off.