Below is an update from Marilaine on how her life has been since moving in to the Transitional Home. (If you missed the powerful A Path Appears documentary be sure to watch it! Go to http://to.pbs.org/1ECVSvL)
My name is Marilaine; I am 15 years old. I was a restavek. I have now lived in the Restavek Freedom Transitional home since January 7, 2014. It’s been over a year since I first breathed freedom.
My life changed the day when you came to visit me because now I am free. I now think I am the luckiest of all students in school and I thank God every day. I am free; I can smile, visit my family, talk to them on the phone, go to school each day, play, have enough to eat and I now have dreams for my future. None of this happened when I lived with my host family.
At the Transitional House we are sisters and friends, but Rosemyrtha and Nerline are my best friends. I’m in a very good school and they teach me a lot of things, but I like science and math the best. Now I am doing two grades at the same time (3rd and 4th) through an accelerated program so that next year I will finish with primary school.
I have enjoyed everything I have experienced at the Transitional Home this past year. My favorite was when I got to be present at the finale of the Miss Haiti competition, and they even came to the Transitional Home to visit! I asked them questions and they taught me to walk like them. We even had our own contest of Miss Transitional House, and I was second. I love playing with my sisters, teasing Mamie Adeline and Tatie Regine, going to the beach, eating pizza in the restaurant with Mamie Joan and having visitors like Life Church, Calvary Church and others. They are strangers at first, but they love us. I have a lot of fun.
When I grow up I want to be a nurse. This will allow me to help others and take care of them as the Foundation and the staff have taken care of me. In the future I hope that the world finds joy and peace, and that all children are equal with all families will be able to take care of their children. I would advise any child living in restavek to be brave and strong because God has a plan for each of us. There are people put around us, like angels, to comfort and guide the weak and sad; look for them. If I can find the joy of life now, why can’t they?
If you would like to help a child living in restavek, consider child sponsorship. For $30/month ($360/year) you will be giving a child in restavek the gift of education. Your sponsorship provides tuition, books, a uniform, and most importantly, the love and support of a child advocate. Go to http://bit.ly/1AnWGmH for more information.
