Haiti was one of the first countries to abolish slavery around the year 1800. But now, anno 2023, some 300,000 children work as slaves in Haitian households. They are called restaveks. We support Restavek Freedom, a US organisation that gives restaveks the chance to go to school. The children also receive psychosocial support. Host parents are made aware of their responsibility: exploitation and/or exclusion from school is not accepted. Every child has the right to an education and a safe environment!
Under the energetic leadership of Joan Conn, a team of 18 people in Haiti and a team of six in America work on the organisation's goals. In Haiti, they work mainly through the churches. Last year, 2,800 children went (back) to school, 140,000 people were involved in this 'liberation work' and two million people were reached through awareness campaigns.
Herewith the story Medelyne who was helped by Restavek Freedom.
Medelyne
At the age of 13, Medelyne was brought to Port-au-Prince by her aunt, who promised to send her to school. Her mother had died and she never knew her father. When she arrived in the city, she quickly realised she would not go to school. Instead, she spent her days cleaning, cooking, washing dishes and fetching water. After a few years, her aunt no longer wanted her in the house and sent her to her sister. She too did not send Medelyne to school.
In 2009, Restavek Freedom found Medelyne. She was very ill and extremely shy after years of neglect and abuse. Restavek Freedom took her to hospital to treat an infection.
The healing process could then be initiated. She became motivated to pursue an education. In 2021, eight years after participating in the programme, Medelyne has graduated from high school and is making her dreams come true. She is studying at university and dreams of starting her own business to create jobs for others who have fallen victim to the restavek system.
