Scripture says, “As a person thinks in their heart, so they are” Proverbs 23:7. Where do our thoughts come from and how do they get into one’s heart? For most of us, thoughts are developed from our relationships, education, and our experiences. We learn and grow from those who influence us in our formative years. We consider the family to be a primary influence of teaching right and wrong. If family members are absent, who will kids learn from? The education system challenges kids to learn and develop life skills. What if the inability to pay tuition prevents children from attending school? How will they rise above the illiteracy that traps them in poverty? If a child’s experiences are communicating a life without hope, how will change be realized?
Life for children in Haiti is extremely difficult. There are estimates that more than 300,00 children (25% of school age children), between ages 5-17 are restavecs. A restavec is a child in Haiti who is sent by his or her parents to work for a host household as a domestic servant because the parents lack the resources required to support the child. This restavec system is a modern-day slavery practice that is generally accepted in Haiti. These child servants are prevented from going to school, adding them to the number of illiterate and uneducated people in Haiti.
There are 15,200 primary schools in Haiti, of which 90% are private schools. Private schools require tuition, preventing many children from attending. HOLD the Children supporters are responsible for more than 2,000 children being enrolled in primary school. We are grateful for each sponsor that helps these children go to school.
