Big Dreams

Jack is 15 years old and in the fourth grade. Both his mother and father died when he was very young and now he lives with his aunt. She tries to give him a decent life, but she has her own children to take care for. Jack has many duties in the house. Where he lives, it’s a community of uncles, aunts and cousins. He has to fetch water for them all every day. They send him to run their errands at the boutique (store) and market, multiple times each day and sometimes even at night. He isn’t allowed to say anything, because he’s the only one in his community who doesn’t have parents.

His Aunt, who is his primary caretaker, sent him to school without paying his tuition. The principal of his school took pity on Jack and allowed him to stay, because he knew about Jack’s poor living situation. In order to even have one of his three needed books and a uniform, Jack was made to sell bags of water in the afternoon after class. It was difficult for him to progress in school, because he didn’t have the time or the books to study. At the end of the school year the principal told Jack he would have to repeat the grade. Jack was very disappointed about this…all he wanted was to be like the other kids and do well in school!

Jack is now enrolled in the Restavek Freedom advocacy program. He really likes school, has all of his books and no longer has to sell water to be able to get them. He has time to study and is progressing quickly. His dream is to finish school and become an engineer. His living situation isn’t perfect, but he knows that getting an education will help to change that.

Many children in my country live in the restavek system. Thank you for giving to this program that gives hope to children like Jack. Together, we can end the system of restavek!

Nathacha Lucien, Child Advocate