Well, there are estimated to be more than 300,000 children known as 'Restaveks' or domestic child slaves, working and living in neglectful, abusive, unsafe abject poverty stricken conditions. The United Nations have termed it as being of epidemic proportions and whilst Haiti has ratified the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1995, the rights of 'restavek' children are largely ignored and none of the articles are actually enforced, according to former 'restavek' and UN working group member Dr. Jean-Robert Cadet.
I met Jean-Robert Cadet during Black History Month in 2011 after arranging a small educational tour in Wales. Well you could have actually heard a pin drop in the auditorium; audiences including both younger and older children, teaching staff, academics, students and general public were spellbound by this man's incredibly humbling yet totally inspirational story, painfully recaptured as he journeyed 'from Haitian Slave Child to Middle-class American.'
Projectpiece was founded by me in 2011 to support Jean-Robert Cadet in the Wales and since its inception we continue to work together in local schools, colleges and universities to enlighten young people about the plight of vulnerable slave children whose rights are grossly under-protected.
Since the UNCRC protects all children under the age of eighteen years old, our youngest generation living in Swansea usually appear somewhat shocked and astounded at the thought of children, like themselves, being forced into essentially a punitive system that punishes the poorest and most vulnerable of its citizens according to the rank of their family, the blackness of their skin and whether anybody cares enough for the welfare of aforesaid child. Jean-Robert says that children who are obviously under-valued in Haiti are discriminated against by the whole society.
Jean-Robert's story is a heart-breaking one, perhaps you could say that concludes with a happier ending, at least. This really is not a plug for the book ...but ... if you do wish to read it I can lend you a copy or you can purchase it from all good bookstores (and Amazon!) ~ its a story that just leaped off the page and wove itself into the fabric of my heart ~ Listen to Jean-Robert as he addresses the Oslo Freedom Forum, recorded last year in Norway (See side panel for the link)
By the way, the little girl on the front cover here, well she was given as a 'wedding present' for a couple who own a small roadside cafe!
Hi Anj,
ReplyDeleteI am always shocked to hear these things are still a reality in 2013 :(.
It makes me very grateful for everything we have and for the life we usually take for granted.
This is a book I will look out for as I am interested to read Cadet's story especially as it is true; I remember you mentioned him the first time we met.
Thanks Christina, I think it really helps to spread the word about this anachronistic system and Jean-Robert's story is a telling illustration of what its like to be a 'restavek' child in Haiti today. Its really encouraging to learn though that public consciousness is being gradually awakened towards recognizing the value of children - really due to the continuous campaigning by ambassadors for change like Jean-Robert Cadet.
ReplyDeleteWill see you about the book next Monday.
Anj
Hi Anj,,, a powerful post to read, I have visited Africa a couple of times and seen first hand the struggles many face day to day to survive...
ReplyDeleteHi Paul, yes, its quite heartbreaking to see people suffering first hand and to think its so unnecessary since its man-made ... as Nelson Mandela once said "poverty is not a charitable case but an act of social justice." I am hopeful that children's rights will encourage world leaders to act in the best interests of the next generation.
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