One of our newest staff members in Haiti, Osbert Victor, reflects on his first weeks working with Restavek Freedom…
Coming to the Restavek Freedom Foundation has impacted my life already. I was reminded of how important it is to give affection to every single child no matter what their state or appearance could be; beautiful or not, clean or dirty, happy or sad, each one of them needs special and sustainable attention and someone to help them look forward to the future. Every kid needs to be treated with respect so they can feel they are somebody.
I met some children last week and talking with them about their living conditions made me feel a great sadness deep inside. Those kids took me into my past, when I was taken from my parents’ house to a host family. They were telling me stuff about what their expectations were when they first got to the families that they live with and how it felt when they found out they couldn’t get home, education, food, protection, affection, etc. It’s like they ran from the rain into the river. Some of them told me if things home could be ok, they would go back home.
Above all that, what saddened me the most were the ones who don’t even know if they have a parent or not. I feel honored and privileged to help save those children by working together with Restavek Freedom organization to realize our tremendous dreams for those children who are suffering and scattered throughout Haiti. I believe that every single child has a future and the right to accomplish their destiny.
There are 300,000 children living in restavek in Haiti...but not for long. We want to end this form of child slavery in our lifetimes. Join us in Standing Up for Freedom.
