Restavek
In Haiti, many poor rural families hoping to provide a better future for their children send them to live as domestic servants in the homes of urban / semi-urban families. These children, mostly girls, are extremely vulnerable to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. These children are known as Restavek.
Research on Health Problems as Reported by Children
Data shows that the most common health problems reported by children are headaches, fever, coughing or respiratory complaints, and chest pains. Chest pains are more common among girls.
One very encouraging finding is that the research identified no material difference in the incidence of these health problems between Restavek children and the general population of children. The health problems noted in the research are the same for all Haitian children.
Data Source
The raw data provided to Haiti Now by FAFO Research Foundation and the Institut Haitian del’ Enfance, were collected in 2013 - 2014.
Haiti Now has published this data online in an interactive manner. Click here to review this data in more detail, and to see other dimensions of the living conditions of Restavek in Haiti.
Building The Residential School
Haiti Now administers comprehensive programs that enable girls to overcome domestic servitude. It is now working on building a safe house dedicated to the long term empowerment of Restavek girls.
In this safe house, Haiti Now will provide an accelerated education, health care, emotional support, mentoring, arts, sports, and healthy socialization with peers and adults. Our goal is to provide the comprehensive support needed for Restavek girls to build healthy and financially secure future, all under one roof.
Please support us at https://www.haiti-now.org/donate/