Child - Blog

Restavek is a uniquely Haitian practice that causes desperate parents, living in dire poverty, to send their children off to work as domestics for more prosperous families. The parents of these children hope their lives will be better than what their own family can provide.

In truth, restavek children are abused, forced to sleep on floors instead of beds, perform back-breaking tasks for punishing hours, and are sexually exploited as well. Many studies have been conducted on restavek by the UN, UNICEF, and the U.S. State Department. Some statistics indicate 200,000 to 300,000 children live trapped as domestic slaves in dehumanizing conditions. And tragically 85% are female. The alarming fact about restavek in Haiti is, it is seen as an acceptable way of housing children from poor families. more »

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The reality between Haiti and the Dominican Republic as a Haitian child is obligated to cross the border on a daily basis and learn a new language just to get an education.

Fifteen-year-old Evens is one of the hundreds young Haitians who travels long miles, illegally cross the border via the Massacre River.

Each day of school is a victory as he faces many barriers. The daily travel to go to school is never quite certain as he might not sometime be allowed to cross and never quite sure if they will be permitted to remain in school. more »

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