Restavek Freedom Newsletter - Spring 2016

SONGS FOR FREEDOM Returns for Second Season! pg. 3

IMPORTANCE OF CHILD PROTECTION

pg. 4

SECOND HOME FOR GIRLS Now Open! pg. 7

RESTAVEK FREEDOM

NEWSLETTER 2016

FROM JOAN'S DESK

For Haiti to move forward, the practice of restavek must end.

There are those that refuse to mention the word and want to refer to this practice as “domesticity”. This word does not even begin to describe the situations that we come across, nor does it imply what we have come to understand the word RESTAVEK to really mean.

Often we speak with adults who experienced

the restavek practice. They weep as they talk about the situations they endured and the loneliness and humiliation they felt as children and even to this day. Yes, the economic situation in Haiti drives this practice to some degree. This might perhaps be the reason many people give up their children. But what drives the abusive, humiliating and inhumane treatment these children receive once they are in the homes of their “host”? This is what must end.

Through our Justice Curriculum training,

radio drama and Songs for Freedom competitions, we are discovering that people are responding positively by thinking about the children in their homes differently. One man who experienced the Justice Curriculum training said, “I can say that the training has brought change in the way people usually treat children that stay in their homes. They are being conscious of the bad impact of it in our society and of the fact that God wants us to treat these children with love and in a way that will value them.” This is our hope as we move forward, that more and more people will realize the impact the restavek system has on their society and stand together to end this practice.

I am deeply honored to work alongside a

talented and committed team, both in Haiti and the U.S. We are igniting a movement in Haiti that will change the future of this country, as it changes the future of its children. I am also deeply honored that you have placed your trust in our team. Your partnership and continued support is the catalyst that is moving us toward a tipping point where the restavek practice will no longer be tolerated.

With deepest gratitude.

Together…..moving forward.

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AT A GLANCE INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST CHILD ADVOCATES! This year we welcomed two new child advocates to our team in Haiti. Daniel and Mathia are passionate about bringing an end to the restavek system in Haiti, and they are already having a positive impact on the children from our Child Advocacy Program!

JUSTICE CURRICULUM GRADUATES TAKING A STAND In the last year, leaders from four regions of Haiti came together to complete our 12-week course on justice, violence against children, and the restavek issue.

Trained leaders then returned to their communities where they now stand up against the restavek system.

In 2016, we will add three new regions.

WOMEN LEARNING TO READ THROUGH LITERACY PROGRAM Two new literacy programs were initiated in earthquake resettlement communities. These programs teach women to read and write, empower them to have a voice in their communities and government, and enable them to keep their children at home rather than send them into restavek.

CLASSES GROWING AT LEARNING CENTER The Learning Center is expanding its computer, literacy and English classes, while creating a bridge to educate communities on the restavek system.

These classes include professionals throughout the community; doctors, lawyers, nurses, and business leaders.

EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR SUMMER CAMP 2016!

The children in our advocacy program cannot wait for this year’s summer camp to begin! In 2015, 150 children benefited from our camp program, and in 2016 our goal is to serve more than 300 children. Restavek Freedom’s summer camp has educational and social activities that boost the children’s sense of self-worth and address important issues including sex education.

SONGS FOR FREEDOM KICKS OFF SECOND SEASON!

Anticipation is spreading across

the country as young people begin writing, rehearsing and preparing auditions for Songs for Freedom. This fun and exciting singing competition, dubbed “Haiti Idol” by NPR, has

ABOUT US RESTAVEK IS A MODERNDAY FORM OF CHILD SLAVERY IN HAITI.

kicked off its second season to raise awareness and end child slavery in Haiti!

Participants write an original

song on the issue of restavek and perform at a regional competition.

Then the winners from each regional competition advance on to the finale.

Once again, Restavek Freedom will host events in each of ten departments of Haiti, culminating in a Grand Finale in Port-au-Prince in April 2017.

Contact us if you are interested in getting involved, visiting an event, or helping sponsor the competition.

1 15 IN

CHILDREN are affected by the restavek system.

1,500

OUR MISSION: children have been impacted by our Child Advocacy Program.

OVER 60,000 Haitians across all 10 departments have taken part in our Justice Curriculum.

SONGS FOR FREEDOM has reached

85,000+ people with the message that the restavek system must end.

THEY ARE OFTEN:

“I know that the problem of restavek is real in Haiti because I had relatives who were victims of this system. I think with awareness we will for sure eradicate this system.”

– Johanise Zephi, 2016 Regional Winner

overworked

ABUSED lonely

TO END CHILD SLAVERY IN HAITI IN OUR LIFETIME.

1.5 MILLION listeners have tuned in to Zoukoutap, our wildly popular radio show broadcast all across Haiti.

WE RECENTLY OPENED OUR

SECOND TRANSITIONAL HOME

HEARTS AND MINDS

across the country are becoming sensitized to the restavek issue.

Picture

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILD PROTECTION “I want to say this is a very important tool.

All the officers who reviewed the tool have said it is very easy to use. It not only met my expectations, it has exceeded them.”

Inspector Guerson, BPM Restavek Freedom (RF) is partnering with the Child

Protection Police of Haiti, called the Brigade for the Protection of Minors (BPM), by building and implementing their first-ever computerized database system.

In 2012, one of the girls in our Child Advocacy Program was raped and impregnated. In an attempt to force an abortion, her perpetrator poisoned her.

Ultimately, this girl died from complications related to the 4

poisoning. RF worked closely with her family and BPM to successfully secure an arrest of the perpetrator. Unfortunately, the perpetrator was not convicted.

RF has developed a strong

relationship with BPM as well as the Haitian child welfare and social service agency, IBESR. Together, we have seen the struggles and limitations within the Haitian justice system to track and monitor violence against children, identify abuses within the restavek system, and bring perpetrators to justice.

Currently, when BPM is alerted about a child in distress – abandoned, abused, in restavek, a runaway, street child or in trouble legally – BPM handwrites all of their records. They document the incident on a piece of paper and keep track of cases in a binder. When BPM takes a child to IBESR, they hand-carry the file. Too frequently, files are lost or not readily accessible. Cases

are filed by the date that a child enters BPM, so if one doesn’t know the exact date, it can take hours to locate the information.

Additionally, because there are no identifying photos of the child, it is very difficult to map a child to his/ her case file.

To address these limitations, BPM invited us to partner with them to develop a Child Protection Platform that will address the resource and capacity deficits in the state protection agency. This will allow BPM to have a case management tool, and law enforcement will better be able to collect evidence for prosecutions.

Inspector Guerson, the interim head of BPM, shared, “I cannot say thank you enough for what you’ve done. I want you to know that what you do is not for BPM or for me, but for the children of Haiti.”

NEW GIRLS CLUB BUILDS SELF-ESTEEM!

PASSING TWO GRADES AT ONCE

Girls in our Child Advocacy Program have a special opportunity to build relationships with each other and their advocates through our afternoon girls’ club. Advocates Nadine and Natacha plan this monthly get-together, where the girls learn about such critical topics as dealing with emotions, self-confidence and sexual education. Through interactive activities, the girls are able to support each other while facing their problems in a safe environment.

Children at one of our partner schools are finding the opportunity to catch up to their peers in school through our accelerated learning program. In this program, children complete two grades each year (1st/2nd grade, 3rd/4th grade, and 5th/6th grade), which not only fuels their motivation but prepares them to attend secondary school with kids their own age.

RADIO DRAMA HITS THE STREETS

U.S. STUDENTS EXPERIENCE "RESTAVEK"

All across Haiti, people are talking about Zoukoutap, the radio drama that is stirring conversations and piquing consciences. Zoukoutap discusses, in entertaining and real life dialogue, issues of gender violence, restavek, and family planning. Now airing on 42 radio stations across Haiti with 1.5 million listeners, Zoukoutap is becoming an agent of change.

Through our mobile exhibit, elementary, middle school and high school students across the U.S. are learning about the restavek issue and how they can take a stand. This interactive experience allows students to see, feel and understand what a typical day is like for a child in restavek. Schools are stepping up to sponsor children and spread awareness after walking through our powerful exhibit.

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STANDING UP FOR CLAUDY

by Natacha Desir, Child Advocate

hardly fed, and felt very neglected.

Child Advocates Search the Streets for Children in Restavek, Give Them Hope and a Future

Claudy expressed his desire to go to school and to find his mother.

He confided in me that he wanted to leave the house, but he didn’t know where to find help. I was amazed how strong Claudy was, waiting to find hope.

I met Claudy last year in

his neighborhood when I was searching for children in restavek to invite into our program. When I first saw him, I was shocked; I could not believe a child could look so skinny, dirty, and unhealthy. I asked him to tell me his story.

Claudy was living with his father and stepmother. He used to be in public school, but when his father met his stepmother, she decided not to send him to school. He was kept at home and put in charge of washing all of the dishes, doing laundry for everyone in the house, helping the child of his stepmother with her lessons, and fetching water from far away. On top of his difficult labor, he was abused, 6

I invited him into our Child

Advocacy Program, and helped him enroll in school that September. Claudy, at 14 years old, is now a different person. I visit him and the other children each week at school, and every time I see him laughing and playing with the other children, I am filled with joy. The most miraculous thing to me is the way his mindset has changed. Claudy has become more confident not only in himself, but in life. His strength to live has returned. He found what he needed to go on; he found hope.

Child’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.

HELP US BREAK THE CYCLE When you sponsor a child, you provide their school tuition, books, school uniform, and an advocate like Natacha who meets with them regularly to encourage them and give them a voice.

For only $30/month, YOU can radically transform a child's life.

Help a child in slavery receive freedom from isolation, illiteracy, and fear. restavekfreedom.org/ childsponsorship

A DEDICATION OF LOVE

On November 19, 2015, our second Transitional Home, "House of Beautiful Flowers," was dedicated with a joyous celebration!

Kathia and Rosemyrtha speak from the heart at the dedication.

This house will become a safehaven to 16 girls.

The girls now have a family full of love and support.

Osbert and Gardy lead guests in a time of worship.

Guests enjoy the new spacious living room.

Bright, airy rooms make this house a home.

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RESTAVEK FREEDOM

11160 Kenwood Road Cincinnati, OH 45242 restavekfreedom.org 513.475.3710

EXPERIENCE A DAY IN "RESTAVEK" EXPERIENCE LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD IN RESTAVEK WITH OUR POWERFUL, INTERACTIVE LIVE EXHIBIT!

Bring the exhibit to your school, church or organization! Contact us at info@restavekfreedom.org for more information.

CARRY a heavy bucket of water, EMPTY a chamber pot and LIE DOWN on a cardboard bed as you learn what children in restavek endure day in and day out.

SEE their faces, HEAR their stories, and LEARN about the transformation Restavek Freedom is bringing and how YOU can be part of it.