Wyclef Treats Injured Haitians To Shopping Spree
By WENNWednesday, May 19, 2010
WYCLEF JEAN has treated three young Haitian amputees to $1,000 (£670) shopping sprees after flying them to America to receive critical medical care.
The rapper was devastated when his native Haiti was struck by a massive earthquake in January (10) and he has been a leading force in the relief efforts via his charity Yele Haiti ever since.
Earlier this month (May10), he welcomed 17-year-olds Margarette Pierre and Chantal Mori, who each lost an arm, and eight-year-old Farah Maurice, who had her leg amputated, upon their arrival in New York.
And he gave them an extra special treat on Tuesday (18May10) when they were allowed to pick out whatever they wanted from U.S. department store Kmart.
Jean, who was proud to be able to put smiles on the girls’ faces after their personal turmoil, said, “When you come from a country where you make $1 a day, giving them $1,000 is like giving them $10,000.
“They need to know there are people like them and they’re normal. Today they’re not thinking, ‘I don’t have a leg.’ They’re just being kids and they’re happy.”
The trio, whose trips are sponsored by Yele Haiti and the Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF), will be flown to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 3 June (10) to undergo complimentary treatment for their prosthetic limbs at Shriners Hospitals for Children.