Wyclef Jean visits Port-au-Prince to promote youth programs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Wyclef Jean has announced the creation of several youth-based programs funded by his Yele Haiti charity.

“If you want to change a country, unfortunately, you’re not going to be able to help 8 million people at one time,” the 35-year-old singer told reporters. “But if you can get one or two or three and start to make that change, that will make the difference.”

Jean, who was born in Haiti, arrived Saturday in Port-au-Prince. It was his first visit since being named a roving ambassador for the Caribbean nation in January.

Yele Haiti will provide computer labs, classrooms and counseling for jailed child gang members, help local women’s groups sell food in the seaside slum of Cite Soleil, and establish a youth scholarship and soccer program, Jean said.

Jean, who wore a white linen jacket with Haiti’s shield embroidered in sparkling stones, spoke to reporters mostly in Creole.