Recently, rapper Wyclef Jean was honored with a new role as an ambassador to his native Haiti.

Rapper and producer Wyclef Jean has gladly accepted the position of roving ambassador for his native Haiti.

The rapper, who founded the Yele Haiti Foundation to help the struggling country, told the Caribbean Media Corporation, "I thank President Preval and it's an honor for me to have the opportunity to serve my country as a roving ambassador. I will continue to do the best I can to help change the difficult reality of Haiti, that country that I carry in my heart. It's encouraging to see your country recognize your efforts and dedication."

In the past, Jean explained how he hopes his story inspires others. He said: "I mean, for me being a Haitian coming to America and all I had was a dream, and if kids could see that I accomplished that dream then they'd all know that they could accomplish their dream."

(News courtesy of The Bearrocks)

Rap star Wyclef Jean has been made a roving ambassador for Haiti to improve its image abroad.

He was appointed to the role by Haitian President Rene Preval as "our best asset to promote the country's image around the world".

Jean was born in Haiti but moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York, when he was nine years old.

He already runs his own foundation, Yele Haiti, to aid what is the poorest country in the Americas.

"We wish we could have several Wyclefs because the country could have gained so much," Foreign Affairs Minister Renald Clerisme told Reuters.
Mr Preval has been joined by Jean on a three-day visit to the island of Jamaica.

Jean, 34, gained fame as a member of the hip hop trio The Fugees, who won Grammys in 1996 for their album The Score and single Killing Me Softly.
This year he has been nominated for a best pop collaboration Grammy for his performance with Shakira on the hit Hips Don't Lie.

Haiti's government credits Jean with successfully lobbying the US Congress for a "passage of a trade" bill expected to help create textile manufacturing jobs in Haiti.

(News and Photo courtesy of BBC News)

You can learn more about Wyclef’s foundation here:

Yele Haiti