The PROBLEM
Restavek, "meaning to stay with" in Creole, is a term given to children typically born to poor parents in the countryside and given to host families with the hope that they'll have better futures. But, once they move in with their host family, for many children the day is filled with chores. Even the youngest are expected to fetch heavy buckets of water, hand-wash clothes, carry loads to and from the marketplace, and work in the fields—often laboring for 14 hours a day for no pay.
Many restaveks are not allowed to sleep on a bed, eat at the table with the rest of the host family, or play with other children.
Unfortunately, this form of slavery is socially accepted in Haitian culture as a consequence of extreme poverty. This is one of the reasons why Haiti is ranked #62 on the Global Slavery Index. There are currently 59,000 people in Haiti living in modern slavery.
The restavek system in Haiti would not exist if desperate parents did not feel compelled to give their children away out of economic necessity. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere:
Many restaveks are not allowed to sleep on a bed, eat at the table with the rest of the host family, or play with other children.
Unfortunately, this form of slavery is socially accepted in Haitian culture as a consequence of extreme poverty. This is one of the reasons why Haiti is ranked #62 on the Global Slavery Index. There are currently 59,000 people in Haiti living in modern slavery.
The restavek system in Haiti would not exist if desperate parents did not feel compelled to give their children away out of economic necessity. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere:
- 1 in 15 Haitian children live as restaveks
- Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere
- 40% of the population is illiterate.
- 62% of Haitians live under the poverty line.
- The average Haitian family survives on less than $5 a day.
Our SOLUTION
Just 4 Them Inc. provides educational support for these underprivileged restavek children in Haiti. Since our founding, we have given hope to hundreds of disadvantaged youth in the name of Christ. Our desire is "to prepare [these youth] for works of service" (Ephesians 4:12) so they can make their own positive impact on the world.
Our primary school in Gressier, Haiti offers a wide range of courses, including: math, history, geography, art, French, agriculture and grammar. Though not all of the students enrolled at our school are restavek, we have implemented a schedule designed to accommodate the needs of students in this dire situation.
Our primary school in Gressier, Haiti offers a wide range of courses, including: math, history, geography, art, French, agriculture and grammar. Though not all of the students enrolled at our school are restavek, we have implemented a schedule designed to accommodate the needs of students in this dire situation.
