by Sarah-Jane Mungo (UNV Advocacy, Information/ Communications Specialist) and Harold Thelemaque (UNV Transport Assistant)

29 May 2012

Liberia: Our UN Volunteers always seem to have a mixed bag of talents and UN Volunteer Harold Thelemaque is no exception. A native of Haiti, Harold joined the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in February 2009, taking up the post of Transport Assistant, Heavy Duty Unit, Transport Section.
 
When asked why he became a peacekeeper Harold responded, “When I was 17 years old, I had a teacher who was a news reporter by profession. He used to talk about wars, sometimes about World War I and World War II. Once I asked him ‘What is a good reason for war?’  But his reply did not satisfy me.” 

“Then, one day, when my buddies and I were talking about different problems in the world, we realized that it’s because there was no real peace. I decided then and there how my life should be. I wanted to contribute in some small way. By becoming a UN Volunteer in a peacekeeping mission I am doing my bit for a peaceful world. I believe in dialogue and peace.”   
 
Obviously someone who thinks about the nature of his work a lot, here is an excerpt from a poem Harold wrote entitled I Dream of a World of Peace:

I Dream of a World of Peace

I dream a world…of peace,

…where there is no discrimination,

…where…people have no difference

Between poor and rich,

…where there are no weapons…

…where all the armed vehicles are converted to good tools to re-build the world,

…a world of happiness,

…fairness

…where each and every one can get their needs met without any suffering,

…I dream a world of peace,

…Paix

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BIO
Harold Thelemaque (Haiti) embraces life with compassion and expresses it in drama, dances - such as Afro-Caribbean, zouk, komp, waltz, salsa, meringue - and poems.  UNMIL personnel still recall his dramatic performance of “Freedom” for the 2010 Caribbean Night Festival.  The piece, danced to the song I am A Slave by the songwriter The Mighty Sparrow (Trinidad) and choreographed by MHJ Sarah, received notable kudos from Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary General Mustapha Soumaré who was in attendance.

In May 2011, Harold wrote and recited a poem as a tribute to the peacekeepers and other UN staff who died as a result of the January 2010 devastating earthquake in his native Haiti. During his spare time, he also writes ‘love’ poems as an expression of his love for life, living and family and hopes that a collection of his poems will be published one day.