Nathalie’s Life Story

By Daniel Fontil,
Child Advocate

Nathalie* is a sweet little girl who was born into a struggling
family. Everybody knew Nathalie’s parents in the area where she was born,
because they had no money to survive. As their living situation was difficult, Nathalie could not go to school or even eat every day. They ate by chance, whenever they
were able. Nathalie’s parents were not old, but as their life was difficult,
they quickly lost their youthful faces.  After some years, Nathalie‘s parents died, one
after the other.  This was a turning
point in Nathalie’s life.

After the death of her parents, a woman in the area wanted
to help Nathalie by taking her in.  The
problem was that this woman has many children. When Nathalie entered the house,
the family was unhappy because they thought Nathalie would take away from their
already limited supply of food. Nathalie‘s situation became more difficult as her
days in slavery began.   She began doing
more chores than she had at her family’s house.   She was now responsible for doing the
laundry, sweeping the yard, carrying water from long distances, and cooking.  When she was unable to do such things, she
was beaten – even if she was sick.

She was sent to school, but she could neither learn well nor
memorize things because she was so mistreated at home.  It was clear her situation was bad.

One day, one of the Restavek Freedom workers was passing by
and heard her crying.  He wanted to know
exactly what was happening. Everybody in the area gave him information, because
they knew her situation.  He went to her
house and spoke with her host family about how children should be treated, and
asked if she could be part of the Child Advocacy Program.

Restavek Freedom now stands up for her by sending her to
school and providing her with school supplies and assistance, including psychological
and social support.   Now, thanks to Restavek Freedom, Nathalie breathes a new air of deliverance from the modern-day slavery that she was in.  As I was talking to Nathalie, she told me that
after her formal schooling, she would like to be a doctor.  I told her this is absolutely possible if she works
hard in school.

Certainly when you see Nathalie now, you see how much she is
glowing because Restavek Freedom is doing great things in her life here in Haiti.
In a few years, I believe that Nathalie will be one of those who will stand up to
say ”no” to the restavek system.

*Name has been changed to protect the child’s privacy.