Wilensky’s Story: How Education is an Important Key to Self-Esteem

By Samuel Jean Baptiste, Child Advocate

Wilensky has been part of the
restavek system since 2014, when he left his biological family and came to
Port-au-Prince.  He left not knowing what
was going to happen, and upon arriving in the city, was put in charge of all of
the household chores in his new home.  The
first time I met him, he had very little self-confidence.

Throughout the 2014-2015
school year, whenever I would meet with Wilensky at his school, I would notice the
trouble he had expressing his emotions.  It
was obvious the separation from his biological family and the maltreatment he
received from his host family had had an impact on him.  He had low self-esteem, and didn’t
participate in recreational activities with his classmates. His lack of
self-confidence would cause him to hang back from other kids at school.  

Fortunately, I have been able
to spend time with him over the past year, helping him grow academically and emotionally.  I have talked with him and let him know I
understand his situation, and am here for him.
Every time I visit his school, I spend time talking with him until I see
him smile.  

This new school year, Wilensky
is a completely different person.  I am so
happy to see how confident he feels talking with me and others, and how he now
participates in activities with the other students.  Last time I visited his school, I had a
meeting with all of the kids from our program.
I was amazed to see how confident Wilensky had become, and how much his
sense of leadership had developed in his class!  This is what education, especially the
Restavek Freedom program, has done for Wilensky!

Consider giving the gift of education to a child like Wilensky!