By Amy Bracken  

At the end of what would have been a game tied at zero-zero, a series of penalty kicks gave Haiti’s national men’s soccer team a 4 to 1 victory over Harvard University. At the final point, the already joyous, heavily Haitian crowd erupted into hysterical cheers and chants of, “Haiti! Haiti!”

Some Haitian fans handed money to their favorite players, and a rara band of horns and drums, which had kept many of the viewers dancing in the bleachers, moved into the parking lot of the Harvard Stadium and across the street to the business school. Dozens joined them, dancing, chanting and waving Haitian flags.

The final score was not the only thing to celebrate. The match, which drew more than 11,500 spectators, was a fundraiser for Partners in Health. At half time, the Harvard team’s coach announced a donation of $2,500 to PIH and another $2,500 to the Haitian Soccer Federation. All proceeds from ticket sales will also go to both organizations.

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