What is Restavek Freedom Thankful For?

With Thanksgiving (in the US) around the corner, our support staff in the U.S. took a moment to think about the things we’re thankful for.  Although we couldn’t possibly fit everything on one page, here are five things we are very thankful for!

1. Freedom is something we think and talk about a lot at Restavek Freedom.  With hundreds of thousands of children in Haiti living without their freedom, and millions around the world, freedom is at the forefront of our minds on a daily basis.  Freedom is what we are working toward for the children of Haiti, and something we don’t take for granted.
2. We are thankful for community!  You know the saying, “It takes a village”?  This is so true when it comes to ending child slavery!  We are so thankful to everyone who makes up the village – our partners who are so passionately raising awareness of the restavek system, our supporters all around the world who are sponsoring children and generously donating to fight child slavery in Haiti, and our advocates, who are in the trenches with these children every day. The Restavek Freedom community is fighting together to end the restavek system, and we are so thankful for each of you!
3. We are grateful for good health.   Our advocates in Haiti are the ones the children rely on. They are carrying the children’s daily struggles on their shoulders, and have to take care of themselves so they can be there for the kids!  We are grateful for their and our good health.
4. We believe that each one of us is working on this issue for a reason. Call it calling, destiny or heart, we all know that we need to be doing this work. Whether we are working directly with the children and communities in Haiti, or are in the U.S. doing data entry and fundraising, we are grateful to be part of this mission.
5. Hope.  Hope allows us to see through the darkness, to see the glimmers of change. Children in restavek who are being given the chance at an education are suddenly seeing hope for their future. Community leaders who are working on the issue are seeing hope for their country. Some see a child. Others see a slave. We see HOPE.

“I’m thankful for all those partnering together to end child slavery in Haiti, through generously giving of their time, money, talent, or energy.  I’m thankful for the freedoms I’ve experienced in my life and for the opportunity to work on behalf of others to ensure they experience freedom as well.”  – Nick Lyndon, Chief Operating Officer

“I am thankful for all of our donors who are helping end child slavery in Haiti.  I am also thankful for all of our advocates who go out in the field and deal with the hardship directly.”  – Savanna Lewis, Office Administrator

“I’m thankful for the ability to use the gifts I’ve been given to help others.  I’m also thankful that I work with some pretty great people!”  – Emily Iddings, Graphic Artist and Communications Coordinator

“I’m thankful for the children in our program who show us what bravery, perseverance, and hope look like – they live these traits out in ways I never will, and that constantly humbles and amazes me.  I’m also thankful for our advocates who so passionately show the kids how valuable they are, and for the loving sponsors whose hearts are so big.”  – Heather Gentzel, Communications and Child Sponsorship Coordinator