Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ

In Memoriam -
In remembrance of those members of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Family who lost their lives
in the earthquake in Haiti, 12 January 2010

Mr. Varnel Dimanche, 1973 - 2010

Language Assistant (Haiti)

Mr. Varnel Dimanche

Varnel Dimanche, a national of Haiti, worked for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as a Language Assistant since 2005.

Varnel grew up in Les Cayes, Haiti. He did his studies there, earning diplomas in theology and English. In 2007, he started a programme in international relations at the Centre d¡¯Etudes Diplomatiques et Internationales in Port-au-Prince.

According to a colleague, Varnel believed that becoming a diplomat would allow him to better serve his country. ¡°He had big dreams and a very outgoing personality,¡± the colleague said.

Varnel spoke Creole, French, English, and Spanish, easily switching among all four languages. In MINUSTAH, he was assigned to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Police, translating documents and acting as an intermediary when dealing with the local police and people.

Although it was not his hometown, Varnel knew Portau- Prince well, serving as a guide for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Police during patrols in the city, often working in the Cit¨¦ Soleil neighbourhood. In 2004, Varnel served a similar function for the Multinational Interim Force (MIF) that preceded MINUSTAH, providing translation and guide services.

¡°He was always willing to assist the police officers and never complained about going on patrol,¡± said a friend from MINUSTAH. He added that Varnel had assisted in the arrest of many gang members in Cit¨¦ Soleil. ¡°Even when things were tough, he showed commitment and team work,¡± he said.

¡°He was a kind and gentle soul. Fun to be with, always ready to share a joke, he was the kind of person that would do anything to help someone in need,¡± he added.

Varnel is survived by his wife Eliatrice and their daughter Valentina Jouleicie, 2.