Juline Dreams of Becoming a Writer

Juline* is in the 8^th grade. She is 17 years old. When she joined our program five years ago, she was 12 years old and in the 4^th grade. She is an orphan, and has lived with a host family in restavek for a long time. She was behind in school because she did not get to go every year. She would often go to school for a year, then have to stay home for a year. Other times she went to school but didn’t get to finish out the year. Things were not easy for her.

Since the day Juline joined our program, she has gone to school every day.

Even though she has a difficult life at home, she does not give up. She keeps her chin up, knowing that school is the only way she can change her life. She is very courageous. Juline shared with me one day that when she is at school with her friends, she forgets the fact that at home she is just an object. At school, she not only gets to learn, but also play with her friends, who smile at her and give her the hope to live.

Just the other day, Juline confided in me that she has a dream. She is starting to write a story about her life, as well as a novel about love. In her novel, she wants to show the different ways people can share their love for each other. She is a great writer. She gave me her story to read, and I was so impressed. I shared with her some advice I’ve learned about writing stories, although it is already really great. Her dream is to participate in “Livres in Follies,” a huge book fair in Haiti that features many Haitian and foreign authors and their books.

Juline is a truly talented girl whose gifts were once hidden.

Now, thanks to Restavek Freedom, she has found the opportunity to use her talent. She is very good at writing in French, and she is getting to live this out by creating her story and novel in French.

It is a great thing when we see the kids in the Child Advocacy Program making progress in their learning. This encourages us to continue our work with pride, because we see the difference we are making in the lives of these children in Haiti. Children who have lost hope because they didn’t have anyone to instill confidence in them. Our work is exactly this; helping them believe in themselves.

I am overjoyed to see the fruit of our work. Juline is one among many kids in our program who are beginning to amaze me. I am very proud of Juline and each one of these children.