Child Slavery

It's true. UNICEF estimates that there are as many as 300,000 children in Haiti who have been "offered up" by their families to a life of bondage. Unfortunately, poverty in Haiti is so severe that families have to choose between allowing their children to become property, or watch their children die. A common sentiment among the poorest of the poor is, "It's better to be an abused child slave than homeless and starving, left to die."

And abused many of them are. They are forced to do the most miserable of jobs. They are often deprived of an education because they must work very long hours. Their living conditions are often just one step above those of the homeless. Many must sleep outdoors on pieces of dirty cardboard. They are commonly fed scraps and given shredded rags for clothing. It is common practice for these children to be whipped with cowhide switches made and sold for just such purposes. Over 70% of these children are girls; many who are repeatedly raped by the male members of the families they serve.

Unfortunately, there appears to be no end in sight to this deplorable practice. But some kids ARE being rescued. They are running away because they know there is help if they can get to Hope Village in Les Cayes. The people at Hope Village are currently providing shelter, meals and education for more than 500 children. The children are learning to plant crops, raise livestock, and build their own dormitories and other life sustaining skills. Future plans include a vocational school to formally teach them skills in carpentry, blacksmithing, masonry and sewing.

But most importantly, here they have hope. They have dignity. And they have life. They are learning to love…and to be loved. And some day they will be able to provide their own children with a life that their parents were unable to provide them.

Hope Village is growing and taking in more children every day. We need funds to rescue more children from these shameful conditions and give them a chance at life. Please help us now! Make a tax deductible donation to today.