The PROBLEM
Restavek, meaning "to stay with" in Creole, are children who are given away by their parents to wealthy families because they do not have the resources to provide for them. Restavek children run the homes of the families they serve, receiving no pay. They are treated as domestic servants in exchange for a meager meal and a roof over their heads. 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:
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:
- 40% of the population is illiterate.
- 60% 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.