May is Haitian Heritage Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the vibrant culture, resilient people, and revolutionary history of Haiti. It’s a month filled with pride and remembrance. And for us at Restavek Freedom, it’s also a time to reflect on how its poignant history shapes our mission to protect Haiti’s most vulnerable children.
Haiti is unlike any other country in the world. In 1804, after years of resistance and unimaginable struggle, Haiti became the first Black republic and the first nation to gain independence through a successful slave revolt. The Haitian Revolution didn’t just end slavery on the island, it also reshaped global history, challenging colonial powers and affirming the right of all people to live free.
This legacy of courage and resistance is woven into the fabric of Haitian identity. It can be seen in the colorful art painted across village walls, heard in the rhythms of traditional drums, tasted in dishes passed down through generations, and felt in the community ties that hold people together in the face of adversity.
And yet, despite this proud heritage, Haiti continues to face enormous challenges — economic instability, political turmoil, and deep-rooted systems of inequality. Among the most painful of these is the continued existence of the restavek system.
The word restavek comes from the French phrase rester avec (“to stay with”). It refers to a practice in which children, often from poor rural families, are sent to live with other households in the hopes of receiving care and education. But instead, many of these children are exploited as domestic servants, forced into relentless labor like cooking, cleaning, fetching water, and often suffering physical or emotional abuse. They are denied a voice, an education, and the simple joys of childhood.
This system is not just an effect of poverty; it’s a legacy of historical inequality and the normalization of control over vulnerable lives, echoes of the same slavery that Haiti once fought so bravely to overthrow.
At Restavek Freedom, we believe that truly honoring Haitian heritage means continuing the fight for freedom, especially for children still living in bondage today.
We work in partnership with Haitian communities to support children in restavek through advocacy, education, and deep, transformative relationships. We train Child Advocates who walk alongside children, connect them to schools, and act as trusted mentors. We also empower families with education, job training, and support to prevent the need to send children away in the first place.
During Haitian Heritage Month, we don’t just remember the past, we also look to the future. We celebrate the beauty of Haitian culture, the power of its people, and the untold potential of every child. We believe that the same spirit that led a nation to freedom can end the restavek system once and for all.
This month, and every month, we invite you to stand with us. Share Haiti’s story. Celebrate its culture. Support its children. Together, we can help ensure that Haiti’s legacy of freedom is not just remembered but lived.