Anderson Cooper on the assassination of his math teacher Yves Volel
In a Nutshell
Anderson Cooper visits Mitch Albom's fortified Half Faith Haiti orphanage amid rampant gang violence in Port-au-Prince, where 90% of the capital is gang-controlled and gunfire echoes constantly, reflecting Haiti's dire security crisis just two hours from Florida. He reflects on his high school math teacher Yves Volel, a Haitian presidential candidate assassinated in 1987, and shares his early reporting in Haiti, including the 2010 earthquake that killed 200-220,000. Despite chaos, orphanage students on U.S. scholarships embody resilience, aspiring to return and rebuild their homeland.
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Story about an orphanage in Haiti called Half Faith Haiti, run by bestselling author Mitch Albom, who wrote Tuesdays with Morrie among many other best-selling books. It is an oasis of education and stability for kids amid chaos in Haiti.
We're trying to prepare them to be the next generation in Haiti that can hopefully change things.
Most kids have not left the orphanage in the last four years due to the security situation. Haiti is as dangerous as ever in decades of travel there. High 30ft walls, guard towers, dozens of armed guards. In two days at the orphanage, heard a lot of gunfire on the other sides of the walls.
How many staff are here? >> We have 180 and eight >> employee. That's a lot of gunshot. >> Is that gunfire? >> Yeah.
As a kid, very interested in Haiti's history. High school math teacher named Yves Volel taught algebra.
Haitian have their way to do things. We are a poor country.
Everyone at school knew he wanted to return to Haiti and do something for his country. In New York, many cab drivers were Haitian. Would ask them if they knew Evel (Yves Volel), and they all said yes. Volel worked with Haitian expatriates in New York to mobilize support for Haiti. Graduated high school in 1985. In 1987, Volel ran for president in Haiti.
My position is very strong regarding those who have stolen millions of dollars from the public fund.
Volel was shot and killed outside a police station while holding a copy of the Haitian Constitution and talking. Men came up and shot him. Recording exists of Volel talking, then a clear muffled shot.
Eiveo was shot to death. The victim was Eve Vallel, a lawyer and a critic of Hades militarybacked interim government. VL was one of more than 20 candidates who have declared for Hades presidential election next month. He is the second candidate to be killed.
Extraordinary to witness as a teenager.
Starting in news, couldn't get entry-level job. Got a friend to make a fake press pass, borrowed a camera, shot stories in war zones. Went to Haiti for Channel One ahead of US landing bringing Aristide back.
People just celebrating the return of Aristide.
First reporting experience in Haiti.
People on the street say there's a 15year-old who's buried alive there.
In 2010, earthquake hit. Took a night flight, arrived in Port-au-Prince morning after.
She's clearly alive. You can hear her crying out. You can see two of her feet at this point.
People screaming, searching rubble with bare hands or shovels to find children, grandparents, neighbors.
After 18+ hours trapped, men made a small hole and pulled her out alive.
Stayed 6 weeks. Remarkable and terrible experience. Death toll estimates 200-220,000 people; actual toll unknown.
So, you don't know where she's buried now? >> No, I don't know.
Picked up dead like cordwood, tossed in trucks. Followed trucks to mass pits where bodies were dumped.
This is not how anyone wants their loved ones life to end.
Huge global outpouring for raising money. Many organizations helped, but little sign today in Port-au-Prince.
President assassinated in 2021, rapid decline in security. Up to 90% of capital occupied by gangs committing sexual assaults, robberies, killings. Extraordinary, 2-hour flight from Florida. No commercial US flights to Port-au-Prince airport. Flew into Cap-Haitien in north, helicoptered to Port-au-Prince, convoy of armored vehicles with bulletproof vests and heavily armed Haitian security.
Shot a standup in the street without bulletproof vest.
Outside the walls of the orphanage, the danger is very real.
Behind the camera, dozen armed guys in active war zone. Security monitors perimeters, senses roadblocks a block away. Get in, get out quickly.
16 kids met at Mitch Albom's house in Detroit on winter break with scholarships to US colleges. Know they were given a second chance.
The end goal is to be a senator in my country one day.
It doesn't scare you off to get involved in politics. >> I mean, there is a little bit of fear, honestly. I mean, our last president got assassinated. We have to take that into account.
It seems like all of you want your future to be with Haiti. >> Like to me, Haiti isn't just my country. It's like my home where I was raised and I have a deep connection to Haiti. So, yeah, that's my future is with Haiti.
Never seen a place with more resilience than Haiti. In chaos of Port-au-Prince, saw church service with people in Sunday best, hanging outside, kissing hello. Life goes on and thrives amid gang violence. Vibrant place full of extraordinary people.
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