Restavek Freedom - Ending Child Slavery in Haiti

For Rose Martine, working with children has always been a passion. But since joining Restavek Freedom in June 2021, her commitment to child advocacy has only deepened from a core belief that, “all children are equal in their rights." Now, working in her hometown, her days are spent building trusted relationships with community members, both the children she mentors and the adults she teaches in our local Literacy Program. Read more about Rose Martine’s journey and the impact she’s making: https://lnkd.in/gQZUggCZ #Haiti #EndChildSlavery #RestavekFreedom #ChildAdvocacy

Today, on International Women’s Day, we honor the incredible women on our team who work tirelessly to protect and empower children in Haiti. Girls are disproportionately affected by the restavek system, facing heightened vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. But through advocacy, education, and support, we are working to break this cycle and create a future where every girl is valued, safe, and free. To the women leading this change—your strength and dedication inspire us every day. ? #InternationalWomensDay #RestavekFreedom #FanmJanm #EmpowerGirls #EndChildSlavery

Growing up, Jean Pierre faced unimaginable challenges. After losing his mother at a young age, he was left in the care of his aunt, who refused to send him to school. His father, battling alcoholism, was unable to provide the support he needed. Isolated and without access to education, Jean Pierre’s future seemed uncertain. But everything changed when a compassionate neighbor noticed his suffering and decided to step in, a small act of kindness that ultimately changed the direction of this life. Jean Pierre’s story is a testament to the power of community and the impact one person can have on a child’s future. Read his full story here: https://lnkd.in/gPQTbqTv #EducationForAll #ChildrensRights #HumanRights #RestavekFreedom

?? Education is a primary key to breaking the cycle of restavek. When children have access to knowledge, they gain the power to shape their own futures. ?? At Restavek Freedom, we believe every child deserves the chance to learn and grow. Through education opportunities, lives are being transformed, on both the individual and community level, paving the way for a brighter future in Haiti. Because progress begins with education. #EducationForAll #EndChildSlavery #Avanse

For 11 years, Cassandra lived with seven different host families. Over and over again, she felt the weight of neglect and abandonment. Until 2018, when she experienced the kindness of a staff member at Restavek Freedom. From that moment, everything in her life changed. Read the rest of her story here: https://lnkd.in/gVCxZKje #EndChildSlavery #Haiti #ChildrensRightsAreHumanRights

Why are children in rural Haiti more vulnerable to the restavek system? ??Lacking Job Opportunities – When families struggle to make a living, they often feel like they have no other choice but to send their children to the city in search of a better future. ??Limited Access to Education – With few schools and high costs, families send children away, hoping they’ll receive an education—but too often, they end up in restavek. ?? Cultural Pressures & Misinformation – The practice of sending children to live with others was expected to be mutually supportive, but a majority of the time, it often leads to exploitation, child labor, and abuse. At Restavek Freedom, we work to support and keep families together through education, economic support, and community programs—because every child deserves to grow up with dignity and opportunity. ?? #RestavekFreedom #Haiti #EndChildSlavery #KeepFamiliesTogether #EducationForAll

???? In the Southwest, our team is investing in the community by teaching people how to sustainably grow their own food. From a variety of trees like mango, avocado, breadfruit, and cherry, to legumes and vegetables grown in the garden like green beans, sweet potatoes, and corn, our agroforestry program is not only expanding quickly, but also relieving the burden of inflated food prices. Danilo, who has since planted coconut trees in his yard, shared his gratitude for the program, expressing that it, “helps families save money by providing fruit-bearing trees." He further explains, "The money I’d spend on coconuts now goes toward other essentials." Pictured here is a group shelling corn, which will later be ground to use as mayi moulen, corn meal, a staple starchy dish in Haiti. #Agroforestry #CommunityFirst #FoodSustainability

?? This morning in Port Salut, we hosted the Rotary Club for a local book fair at our newly-completed Vivian Ralph Mathey Library, open to students in the surrounding community. This space is dedicated to inspiring young minds through the power of reading and education. ?? In Haiti, libraries are rare amenities in a majority of schools. Now, to have a space where students can gather together and connect over a shared curiosity of different stories and books is a tangible reminder that education is not only the key to a brighter future, but also a tool for connection and friendship. We look forward to continuing to partner on and support future projects with Rotaract District 7020 ? #EducationMatters #LocalLibrary #Haiti

?? Every tree planted is a step toward fighting the food crisis in Haiti. Our agroforestry program is addressing food insecurity and reducing the burden of inflated food costs for families in Port Salut. Here’s how: ?? 209 fruit-bearing trees are already planted—from coconut and avocado to mango and breadfruit. ?? 223 trees are growing in our nursery, preparing to be planted across communities for lasting impact. When families can harvest fresh produce from their own land, they have to rely less on expensive imports and inflated food costs, bringing food security and economic resilience closer to home. Together, we’re working toward building stronger, sustainable communities—one tree at a time. ???? #Agroforestry #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #Haiti #RestavekFreedom #EndChildSlavery

??? International Day of Education reminds us that education is a human right and the key to breaking cycles of poverty. In Haiti, where access to education is a challenge, we’re creating pathways to learning for children living in restavek and the broader community. ?? Through our Child Advocacy Program, we send over 2,000 children to school, providing them with opportunities to learn and grow, both inside and outside the classroom. ?? Our adult literacy classes offer foundational skills that open doors to brighter futures. ?? Trade programs in Computer Skills, English, Plumbing, and more equip students with tools for economic independence and leadership. ???? Since 2017, over 1,400 students in the Southwest region have graduated from these trades programs. Every human deserves the opportunity to dream, learn, and thrive. Today especially, we celebrate education as a public good and a public responsibility, working toward a future where no child is left behind. #InternationalDayofEducation #EducationForAll #EndRestavek #ChildRights #SustainableDevelopment