During  her recent visit to California, Dr. Maryse Narcisse, Haiti's elegant and humble presidential candidate of the Fanmi Lavalas party (the party of Haiti’s first democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide), was welcomed to Richmond by progressive councilmember and former mayor Gayle McLaughlin and guests. Dr. Narcisse shared some of her experiences as a Haitian doctor and presidential candidate.

Dr. Narcisse advocates for community-based health care and education in a country where government is notorious for not working for the people, and economic conditions are the worst in the region.

With a population of 10.5 million people, 1% of the Haitian population has 45% of its wealth.  Unemployment is reported at 45%, (more likely closer to 80%) and a continuous stream of Haitians flee out of the country on a path to Mexico headed to the US in search of employment.

To be a political organizer in Haiti comes at a price; no one hires you. Dr Narcisse, a highly trained public health medical doctor and a political organizer and coordinator of the Fanmi Lavalas party is excluded from working at medical institutions run by the corrupt government and the international charity organizations.

The healthcare structure of Haiti is inadequate to address the many compounded problems exacerbated by poverty, earthquakes, hurricanes, and high mortality rates due to AIDS. Disabilities and mental illness are simply not dressed. Only 36% of childbirths take place in medical facilities. Abortions are punishable under law and therefore not performed by professionals resulting in a 20 to 30% rate of mortality.

Dr. Narcisse ran for president to bring change to Haiti and address these problems. The presidential election of 2015-2016 was rigged, fraudulent and corrupt and still the results were endorsed by the US Department of State. Many persons known to be dead were shown as registered voters.

Dr. Narcisse, political organizer and activist, does not give up and fights with her people for  free and fair elections which will result in her being free to bring change and progress to Haiti.