Subscribe to RSSThe Haitian brothers who want to fly
Port-au-Prince – Depending on who you listen to, you can hear many defamatory descriptions of Haitian youth. Yes, it is true you’ll find some of them walking the streets all day long, playing cards or dominoes, basketball or football.
But these three brothers decided to show a different side of the youth. The oldest one is only 27 years old, done with classic study but can’t go to university. As a self-taught actor, he teaches the art to his younger brothers so they can make a living.
The brothers spent months performing in the city of Hinche, as well as in Port-au-Prince, because they were trying to save $45.000 Haitian dollars they needed to realize their dream: building this model helicopter:
For these brothers, creating this helicopter is the realization of a lifelong ambition. When they were kids, they were fascinated with the “ti totè”, a local slang for helicopters. The two started to think about making their project a reality when helicopters started to frequently fly over the Haitian soil in the past few decades.
So they have been searching about helicopters for years before they finally figured out the mechanics of what makes helicopters fly. Even once they understood the process, however, they still needed more support and knowledge before they could make it fly.
They began building the chopper in March 2007, and finished it in March 2008. The two participated in a local competition with their helicopter where they made it fly for several minutes, and won the first prize. They tell me that at the same time, a local company offered them $13 000 USD for their creation, but they turned them down. They wanted to receive something more important than money, like training or continued education. They also wanted it to become a part of Haiti’s national heritage.
After the January 12th earthquake, they took their helicopter out to the airport arrivals area. Their hope was that the foreign people arriving in the country would admire their creation, and that one of them would help them achieve their goals. And by the way, they stuck an Obama picture on the front window next to their own photo, as well as both the American and Canadian flags.
On the top they put the Haitian flag so everybody can easily identify the country in which this helicopter was created.
They also placed their helicopter there as a welcome to all nations coming in their country, especially the U.S Army.
Starting from scratch to create a helicopter, with no experience in the area is not an easy realization and to succeed is quite amazing. These two give Haitian youth a good name – there is no other way to describe these three young men except as “strong minded”!
Port-au-Prince student, fixer and researcher Emmanuel Midi is blogs weekly for Inside Disaster from Haiti. You can learn more about him in these blog posts, connect with him on Facebook or through his business, Haiti Fixers.
Emmanuel volunteers with the youth organization Fonds D’Actions pour le Développement (FAD), profiled by Nicolas Jolliet earlier this month.
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79 Comments
2010-04-07
13:28:45
Way to go guys. Keep it up... Good job.
2010-04-07
18:17:06
Very Inspirational!! You guys followed your dream and took it to the next level....Bon Bagay!!
2010-04-08
15:45:04
Good job my brothers keep it up im so happy to hear that wowww i can not believe this
2010-04-08
17:47:33
mwen byen kontan, au moins moun ka gen yon lot lide de haiti.genbe la pa okipe ki pou dekourage n.yeah sa bon et mwen vrement fiere poum tande sa, et poum moutre lot zanmi mwen ki pa haitien.
2010-04-08
23:23:43
WOW! that is amazing they should open their own company now, I will help them in any way I can
2010-04-09
07:50:36
It is not just abroad that the Haitian mind functions well. It does take strong will under these conditions! It'll be esaier if the corrupted and their allies would open up their hearts to the people of Haiti. Great going guys; keep it up!
2010-04-09
12:31:03
May the Lord be with you guys i am so proud of you as haitian. Please do not let money buy you gys or let other country pay you off to leave the Haiti cherie nou. Keep it up. http://www.haitiannetworking.com
2010-04-09
13:57:11
Felicitation fre mwen felicitation courage nou ak perseverance nou fe tout ayisian fier e mwen vrement tres fier de nou et nou fe fierte tout ayisian tou sa fe gouvernement ayitian an we genes ayisian gin talan min nou beswen ed li pou nou ka utilize talan nou yo kinbe la songe bien nou se hero nou pa pou van you jou nou ka louvri yon konpayi et va gin air d.Haiti anko nou se spwa peyi a kinbe la.
2010-04-09
17:42:51
Mwen tre fye jodi a, deske'm ka di se ayisyen parey mwen nou ye! Kontinye kwe nan sa'w vle, yon jou rev ou ap reyisi kanmem!!! Ou sou mwatye wout, res la ap vini!! Gen la fwa!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pa janm pedi espwa!
2010-04-10
00:03:23
Brilliant accomplishment, proving once again that ingenuity is not the domain of the rich but given to those with the will. Wishing you continued success.
2010-04-10
13:23:27
THIS IS AWSOME!
I AM FROM HINCHE, BUT NEVER HEARD THAT NEWS.
GUYS, CONGRATUALTIONS!!!
KEEP IT UP!
I HOPE THAT THIS GREAT INVENTION BE PART OF OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE.
THE HAITIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO THAT TO ENCOURAGE OTHER YOUNG HAITIANS TO PRODUCE AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT WE HAVE BRAINS AND ARE TALENTED PEOPLE.
WOW!!! PROUD OF YOU GUYS!
2010-04-10
13:25:45
TO ALL OF YOU GUYS FROM INSIDEDISASTER,
I SEND MY THANKS FOR SHARING THAT IMPORTANT NEWS TO THE WORLD.
MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU ON A DAILY BASIS!
KEEP IT UP!
2010-04-10
13:30:10
I thank someone should come in help and inverst on these guys by focus in creating theirs on campany
2010-04-11
17:49:07
Great freaking job....after all haiti been through, you just came up with that. congrats, keep it going. bon bagay.....
2010-04-12
07:45:31
[...] Cool story about some Haitian brothers and their quest to build a helicopter from scratch: [...]
2010-04-12
15:21:11
that is so super cool. i agree with every one els bon bagay. Mwen Gen la fwa pou ayiti(haiti)!!!
2010-04-13
16:25:57
We "Diaspora & Native of Haiti" should have a found raising for those two gentlemen, to help them achieve their dream.They are hungry for knowledge. The possibillity are there. It's up to the Haitian Community at large to make it come true, and to be proud of were you coming from. Those two young man made the first move, It' s our obligation to help them accomplish it.
2010-04-13
16:29:39
mwen santi m felisitatyon pou bèl travay sa a mesye yo fè a,alò sa mwen ta renmen se pou leta haitien ankadre mesye sa yo pou yo ta genyen plis entelijans pou yo ka fè plis toujou.Alò mwen ta swete pou jè n sa yo pa dekouraje e fè plis efò e rèv yo va reyelize yon jon jou,se yon bèl efò ke yo fè pou peyi haiti.
2010-04-14
08:13:54
The Haitian Governement, along with the private sector should encourage such a project and the people who want to partake in such endeavor. In fact, with the reconstruction of the new Haiti, this is tha way to go. The NGO's and others, instead off giving food to people to make them more dependent, they would do a better job sponsoring similar project throughout the country, making the youth less dependent.
2010-04-15
03:22:58
I was so thrilled to read that true story. No body would ever believe that something like that could happen in in Haiti. I am proud of you guys! Keep up the good work!
2010-04-15
11:51:02
Mèsi pou tout bèl kòmantè sa yo !
Thanks for the comments !
2010-04-15
13:56:04
Way to go guys! You make all of us proud!
2010-04-15
14:28:52
Congrats to them. Asides from all the wishes, the point remains... Can anyone reading this help them get a better and more solid education?
If you know anyone who may be in a position to help, do pass along this bit. Should you have any contact with universities, organizations, etc., ..churches that may be able to sponsor them, please do so. Otherwise, they will simply become another bright Haitian mind to never realize its full potential.
2010-04-15
15:45:18
Congruatulations to you both. I wishe you find help to continue to do beautifull work.
I remenber, when I was young in my home city, there was a man who built an engin. Infortunatly, he did not find encouragement to continue.
Ne vous laissez pas decourager, continuer a creer et a developper vos talents.
2010-04-15
21:27:02
Ti mesye mwen trè kontan reyalizasyion nou an. Se pa valè nou selman nou fè. Se valè tout aysyien ki existé sou la tè nou fè. Pran yon ti pasians pot nou pa ta espéré ap louvri pou nou. Sel bagay Kontinye kenbé tèt nou byien ro. Si sé pata mwen menm sé va yon lot ki va kanpé avek nou.
kinbe la wi man!
2010-04-15
23:54:29
m fier deske m se Haitien epi realizasyon sa fem vin pi fier toujou. se sa lot pep yo paka konprann nan wi. yon seri de bagay nap fe san ke nou pa gen materiel oubyen minisyon poun fe yo. yo paka konprann koman nou te pran endepandans nou devan lame fransez ki te pi gwo lame nan mond lan nan epok sa. realizasyon sa ap dificil pou yo kwe. men nou menm Haitien an nou aprann bay fre nou yo vale yo merite nan chak sa yo fe ki bon. moun deyo a pap janm ban nou vale nou toutotan ke nou menm nou pa apran bay tet nou vale. nou bay tet nou vale se chak le ke nou aprecie sa ke yon fre nou haitien fe ki bon.bay fre nou yo vale menm jan ak 3 jeunes sa yo ki merite anpil vale. frem Haitiens yo se le pa nou ki rive pou nou met tet nou deyo.an ede youn lot, jan nou kapab. ankouraje fre Haitiens nou yo.
2010-04-16
08:36:19
Mouin Kontent pou nous.. just don't ever leave Haiti.. NEVERi.You are the product of our Homeland.. .
STAY In HAITI.. IF You move out of HAITI.. WHITE PEOPLE WIll stole all your ideas.. they will say they Invented it...
STAY IN HAITI BOTHERS... !! PRIDE HAITIAN!!!!!
PRIDE HAITI...
2010-04-16
10:31:45
Bravo.
Avek totu l'argetn que Rene Preval et Jean Max Bellerive ont recu.. ainsi que les revenus du Petrole qui gisent en Haiti.. Les dirigenats Haitiens sont entiermetn en Mesure de Vous laisser ouvrir votre propre entrprise et passer cette connaissance à d'autres generations..
iere etape: enlevez la Photo d'Obama et Canad flag sur votre helicopter.. Les US-Can ne sont pas les amis d'Haiti.N'oublie Jamais ca.Vous faites partie des premeiere Nations Noires qui ont pris leur Independance en 1804 par eux-meme.. N'obile Jamais Ca.. Ils ya des jaloux qui aujourd'hui ne nous aiment pas..
va voir Preval et exiger de l'argetn pour commercialiser cotre entreprise c'est tout.. le pays a beaucoup d'argetn.. surtout ne va jamais travailler pour personnes... Soyez votre propre patron..
Des compagnies comme Bombardier.. ont beacuoup d'argent. mails isl voleront votre idee..
Sois FIERS - don't ever sold to the devils.. teh devils are presentely invading haiti sovraignty.. they are stealing your ouil..
.. TAKE THERE FLAGS AND THEIR PICS OUT OF YOUR HELICOPTER...
HAITI 'S FLAGS ONLY!!!!!!!!
2010-04-16
14:31:27
kompatiote mwen yo konn fait bon ak bel bagay wi ;idé kréativité moune sa yo tres poussé. Félisitasyon Bon couraj pa lagé vansé pi devan
2010-04-16
15:37:18
Mesye ou Madam Sosi,
Mèsi pou kòmantè ou a !
Eske ou ka di mwen Ki nasyonalite pam ?
Epi nan ki peyi m'ap viv aktyèlman ?
E mwen ta renmen konnen pouki sa ou rete nan anonima, paske sit la bay posiblite pou ta ekri omwen imèl ou ?
Mr. / Ms Sosi,
Thanks for your comment !
Can you please tell me my native country?
Can you tell me where am I actually living ?
And why don't you show at least your E-mail address?
2010-04-16
16:36:33
Well done! I admire you guys. I love your achievement.
Keep it up.
Outstanding!
Wish you all the best!
2010-04-17
06:06:48
J'ai les larmes aux yeux. Nous avons entendu tant de choses au sujet des Haitiens. Tout ce qui sont laids et qui ne sont pas beau viennent de nous. Apres le tremblement de terre, nous avons vu a la television tant d'etrangers sillonnés notre ciel et venir nous aider et tres peu de photos de nos heros haitiens qui bien avant l'arrivee des cameras ont sauvé tant de vies. Maintenant ces deux jeunes, quelle belle nouvelle pour Haiti. Ca devrait faire la une a CNN, Fox News, Miami Herald, NEW YORTK TIME, RFI, Le Monde Diplomatique. Une bonne nouvelle n'est pas une nouvelle surtout si elle ne vient pas de ces grands pays de la planete. On serait tres heureux d'acheter l'invention et de nous la presenter apres comme une des leurs. Bravo a ces jeunes pour avoir resister a la vendre.
Par ailleurs, ont dit que Barbancourt n'est plus une marque Haitienne, est ce vrai?
Prestige est-ils toujours a nous?
Les marchands ont ils tout vendu?
Bien a vous tous,
Brunine
Merci de nous mettre au courant, au moins nous savons ..... Nous savons nous depuis toujours que nos enfants quand ils recoivent l'education adequate peuvent devenir gouverneure de Canada comme Michael Jean, artiste de Renon comme Wyclef Jean, et ecrivain internationale Francophone comme Dany Laferriere, Lyonel Trouillot, Yanick Lahens et tant d'autres.
2010-04-17
19:51:12
Il y a encore de haitiens intègres et fiers d'être haitiens, ces jeunes viennent de nous le démontrer même l,argent ne peut avoir raison de leur conscience.
2010-04-17
20:44:59
Before anyone gets too excited, let me tell you guys this is a scam. I can tell you for sure this helicopter-like structure DOES NOT FLY!!!! Now let me go back my orbital mechanics studies. Later
2010-04-17
20:46:01
Bagay sa-a se yon pwason avril cho!!!
2010-04-18
00:37:35
I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT COMING FROM HAITI. AT LEAST WE HAVE SOME GOOD THING FOR PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT. KEEP IT UP ,DO NOT GIVE UP THE GOOD LORD WILL PROVIDE.
2010-04-18
13:23:45
Mwe Haitienne jus ko ZO..
Pitit Dessalines.. ke mouin ye.. that it..!! vive en dehors d'Haiti depui l'age de 5ans... plus de 35 ans..
Voila!! Haitian PRIDE Also!!!!
2010-04-18
14:16:36
Rock in space. u are just an hater and we'll always find people like u trying to discourage the talents. And I as youth leaving abroad i consider this realization as a wonderful thing. And i'll pray God to change ur thinking way and also ur mind hater.
2010-04-18
15:08:27
This is the type of news we should spread to the media wherever we live to educate the world about our potential as a people.
Furhter education to solidify what their natural intelligence offered is exactly what they and many others like these brothers need.
Congratulations my brothers!!!
2010-04-18
16:15:23
How very exciting, great news. Just shows when you put your mind to it, anything can be done. No matter where you are. Wonderful!!
2010-04-18
16:25:21
I don't speak your language, but I see a comment to remove flags from other countries from the picture. This was the brother’s choice, not yours.
Was the USA not there to help as quickly as they could?
I am a US citizen; from my diminished pocket as well as my countrymen’s pockets we gave to you without hesitation.
Your comment is inappropriate for this occasion.
Rejoice in the moment.
2010-04-19
12:24:52
Congratulations to these intelligent young haitians.Maybe one day they will be considered as the Wright Brothers.I hope they will not be discouraged by these stupid ignoramuses who will call them peasnts(moun morn).I call them ignoramuses because they do not know that the better haitian minds come from the countryside.
let's put our money where our mouths are by doing the same thing that the american did for the Wright brothers. for Thomas Edison, for Henry Ford, For Bill gates.Let's invest in their company after they receive a scholarship to further their education in mechanical engineering and aeronautic.This is how people develop their country.
If I had to choose between these guys and some met zabelbok bè a chat (lawyers who never practice law) to marry my daughters i will without any hesitation choose one of these brothers.once again congratulations ;these are the people haiti needs.Down with the politicians;we do not need them.We need good entrprenors.'as president Obama said :"people who can manufacture things."so we can't stop importing all that we need.
2010-04-19
15:26:15
Imbecile Suzy:
IN PROPERTY LAWS AS WELL IN INTELLECTUAL LAWS.. THEY CAN NOT PUT ANOTHER COUNTRY NOR ANOTHER NAME IN THERE INVENTION OK.
I KNOW WHAT IAM TALKING ABOUT.. VERY WELL..
IN UNITED STATES I DON'T KNOW ANY INVENTOR OF ANY PRODUCS WHO DARED PUTTING AN HAITIAN PRESIDENT NAME NOR THERE FLAGS ON THEIR INVENTION .. THEY WANT TO HAVE FULL NOTORIATY ON IT.
OK..BECAUSE OF THAT LAWS..
Suzy: Because you gave 10$ to an Haitian Kids to eat.. they are not alloWed to have an IDENTITY...You are Wrong..
In that case don't give anymore.. Same attitude of superiority..AS USUAL...
I maintain again.. AMERICAN FLAGS/ CANADIAN FLAGS/ OBAMA'S PICS.. SHOULD BE OUT OF THERE HELICOPTER BECAUSE OF INVENTOR LAWS.. INTELLECTUAL LAWS.. PROPERTY LAWS..
THEY SHOULD START WORKING ON BIGGER AND LARGER AVIATION PLANES.. OR A TGV- and ask Preval to OPEN A NEW MUSEUM OF AVIATION IN there hometown ( IN THERE CITY) AND KEEP EVERYTHING HOME..
BECAUSE IT'S AN HAITIAN KIDS F.. INVENTION.. NO ONE ELSE.......NOBODY ELSE..
BRAVO..BRAVO..
DON'T EVER SELL TO THE DEVILS..NEVER...
AND MAKE SURE YOU SIGN IT.. WITH YOUR NAME AND YOUR MOTHER'S NAMES..
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T DO SO..
THE DEVILS WHO KEPT INVADING HAITI..WILL START SAYING THEY GAVE YOU FOOD.... THEY LEND YOU MONEY.. THEY HELP YOU IN YOUR STUDY.. BLABLALA...... THEREFORE THEY HAVE RIGHTS.. IN YOU INVENTION... ..!!!
YIOU ARE HAITIAN DON'T EVER FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM.... NEVER.. 1804!!!!!!
2010-04-19
20:18:24
Mes compliments, messieurs. Je suis fier de vous et d'etre haitien. Continuez a poursuivre vos reves et vous y parviendrez.
2010-04-19
20:23:04
Enform Enform!! M Sezi mon zami! M'tap reme aide ou ampil!
I am an executive producer at a USA based film production company and am also involved with a group who has been helping out down in Haiti since the earthquake. We have several helicopters.
I would like to talk to these brothers about getting their story out as a film. How do I get a hold of them? I will be in Haiti working on a project April 29th - May 3rd. Please forward me their information if possible.
brady@fueldfilms.com
Merci Ampil! Kambe Firme.
Brady
2010-04-19
22:58:41
I am really please to read this story.perhaps there is still hope for haiti.We need more electrical ,mechanical, industrial ,chemical engineers.
These two brothers show that haitians are not a bunch of lazy ignorant people.Unfortunately for the country we never had a president who understands the value of a good education.I am not talking about the education that produces "jacko repet."I am talking about an education that produces good engineers.good doctors,good entreprenors.good pharmacists. good mechanics, good electricians, good air conditionning technicians, good carpenters, good welders, good cabinet makers , good brick layers etc.Pharmacists who can produce medecines for our people.;i am not talking about those resellers who are selling outdated medecines to the population.
i read that the dominicans are going to build the biggest campus in haiti.Isn't it a shame that it is the dominicans who see the need for haiti to have a modern university?
2010-04-19
23:06:22
Come on people. That helicopter is a piece of art. There is no way it is atually air-worthy. DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ON THE NET.
2010-04-20
02:56:16
Great job gentlemen, I am proud of you.
2010-04-20
07:06:21
The "Helicopter" is a remarkable achievement, however, looking at the structure from an aeornautical mechanical point of view I doubt that it
would "fly". The dynamics of the machine are not in relationship one to the other, i.e. rotor blades, obvious lack of intake or exhaust ports for a power plant, the tail rotor would not overcome the torque of the main rotor, etc. BUT, and this is a BIG "BUT", the example shows self determination, discipline, imagination, and selfless devotion to achieving the realization of thoughts. Without this spirit and originality we would have never gotten into the air in the first place. Congratulations Brothers Three!
2010-04-20
10:05:01
Ohhh, Gee...I'm so f*ckin' speechless. Go guys, ur work is so damn awesome. I have no word 2 describe how I love ur courage guys. Wooow, Im saying dat with tears rolling down my face. I love u guys sooo much!!! Nd dont pay no mind 2 the haters, cause they just seldom do. Just believe in God. pEaCe & lOvE!!!!