'' Yéle Haiti '' was a charitable organization established in 2001 by Haitian musician and rapper Wyclef Jean , who was born in Haiti and has kept ties there . It is legally known as the Wyclef Jean Foundation and incorporated in the state of Illinois , United States . It operated into 2012 , when it was closed after investigations by the New York State Attorney General over financial issues . The title was coined by Jean , meaning " cry for freedom . " It publicized its fundraising to aid victims of the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake , but by February of that year , the '' New York Times '' reported that questions were raised over its finances , and that funds had been used to benefit Jean personally and members of his circle . The charity is subject to suits in Haiti attempting to recover unpaid debts
2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
Yéle Haiti