Sleep Health of Children

Around 20 percent of children, both child domestic workers (CDW) or Restaveks and non-CDWs, who were part of the survey said they slept in a bed without a mattress. The chances of a non-CDW,however, sleeping in a bed with a mattress was slightly higher. About 21.7 percent of CDWs slept on a mat as compared to 15.7 percent of non-CDWs.

The CDWs mostly slept alone, sharing space less often as non-CDW children.While 58.7 percent of non-CDWs shared space only 48.2 percent of CDWs get an opportunity to do so. If they did share a bed, CDWs were more likely to share such space with someone from another gender.

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.

Haiti Now relied on data obtained from FAFO Research Foundation and the Institut Haitian del’ Enfance. The data was 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.

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/