Once There Was a Country: Revisiting Haiti Screened at Open Society Institute

The Open Society Institute hosted a screening of the documentary Once There Was a Country, narrated by former U.S. poet laureate Dr. Maya Angelou and Guy Johnson. The film examines the causes of the present health care crisis in Haiti and provides examples of how innovative programs can alleviate poverty and disease in the most isolated regions of Haiti. The event was introduced by OSI Senior Fellow Ellen Chesler.

The screening was followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and representatives of the health care community in Haiti. Speakers included:

• Marie P. Chery, Project Medishare
• Dr. Arthur Fournier, University of Miami School of Medicine
• Dr. Marie-Denise Gervais, University of Miami School of Medicine
• Dr. Barth Green, Project Medishare
• Kimberly Green, Green Family Foundation
• Ellen Powers, Project Medishare
• Loune Viaud, Partners in Health

Angelou and Johnson also participated in the post-screening discussion. For more information on the film, see the Once There Was a Country website.

http://www.soros.org/resources/events/haiti_20050707/