CHILD POVERTY IN HAITI

HDFS 892: Research Presentation

Ernscie Augustin

THE PROBLEM OF CHILD POVERTY

• It is difficult to imagine the poverty rate in Haiti. If you think you are poor the poor children in Haiti think you are rich. Things that we take for granted such as schools, roads, electricity, clean water, and food is like luxury to those who have it in Haiti. The issue of poverty affects the youth of Haiti in numerous ways. According to World Development Report(Jimenez, 2007), there are five important dimensions that developing countries should strive for to focus on the youth: learning, going to work, avoiding risks to health, learning to become good parents, and how to engage as citizens. Unfortunately, many of the youth in Haiti cannot experience these things because of the high poverty level. What is being done to assure the youth will transition into these five stages?

• Poverty in Haiti affects the youth:

1. Housing: Hundreds of street children, homelessness, and orphans.

2. Employment: High rate of unemployment and parents cannot afford basic needs for their families.

3. Healthcare: malnutrition, no food/clean water to drink, and low survival rate. Difficult to keep children healthy.

4. Education: “Poverty forces many children to work in the home, or to care for younger children instead of going to school”. Many parents cannot afford to send their children to primary and secondary school. Due to this problem there is a high illiteracy rate. There are many missed opportunities for the youth.

What is being done to combat poverty?

AYITI POVERTY STATISTICS

“- We Americans can not fathom the level of poverty these people survive in; just as they can not imagine the level of wealth and security that we live in…”

• “Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere

• 80% of Haitians live on less than $2 a day

• 60% of Haitians live on less than $1 a day

• Haiti is the 3rd hungriest country in the world

• The average Haitian eats only one meal a day, meaning many do not eat

• 380,000 orphans before quake ( many thousands more after quake)

• 225,000 restaveks (child servants often treated as slaves)

• tens of thousands of children live alone on the streets

• 20% of children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition

• 50% of children are able to attend school

• 20% have a 6th grade education or better

• 70% of Haitians do not have electricity

• 90% of Haitians do not have running water

• 50% of Haitians do not have access to an improved water source

• 80% of Haitians lack adequate sanitation”

I HAVE NO PLACE TO GO….

• Homelessness is common for many children and families in Haiti.

• Before the earthquake there were many street children in Haiti.

• After the earthquake more than a million adults/children were left homeless-Jan.2010 earthquake. Over 300,000 people died and left children without parents. Unfortunately, many of the people that are currently living in tents are facing eviction.

• Many of the youth take on “risky behavior”(WDR,2007) such as drug sales, prostitution, and theft due to having no place to go and no guardian. There is no protection for these children and they are at risk of abuse.

• What is being done? There are thousands of homeless children and many people are reaching out to make a difference. For example, Sionfonds programs is a group of people working hard to make a change in many areas. They provide food, shelter, and education for the children. They have a temporary orphanage “Foyer de sion which is a home for Haiti’s children. The kids to stay until they are adopted. There are many people around the world adopting the children in Haiti that lost their parents in the earthquake. Also, some of the children are brought to America as refugees to get medical care, food, and schooling.

• There are millions of dollars donated to Haiti since the earthquake. Some of the money is allocated to help the people but some of it does not reach those in need. There is corruption within the scattered government. Solution: In my opinion more needs to be done to make sure that the money is reaching the people. Since the earthquake many people are committing fraud and pretend to be a credible source that will help the people. When you chose to donate make sure it is going to a valid source and research how the money is allocated. I think it would be great for organizations/groups to join to decrease the amount of fraud when it comes to donating to the people.

EMPLOYMENT

• Many of the families in Haiti have no jobs. Those that live in rural areas have difficult time in finding employment. There becomes a lack of “financial literacy”.

• Employment is important as it can increase: education, food security, healthcare/nuturition, reduce poverty, shelter, and open more doors to opportunities.

• Agricultural jobs are popular in Haiti but due to natural disasters that occur people cannot rely on the agriculture industry.

• The lack of finances does not help parents invest in their children's future.

• According to WDR, “youth challenges to labor market are starting too early, failing to enter the labor market, and moving across jobs”. Children starting work too early do not get to attend school because they must help their families financially. It is short term versus long term for the families. Should I work now to help provide food and housing or save money to go to school. It is a difficult balance for poor families.

HEALTHCARE AND NUTRITION FOR THE CHILDREN OF AYITI

• In Haiti many of the children do not have healthcare. The families/children in rural areas must travel distances in order to see a doctor.

• A major factor in the low survival rate of newborns and infants in Haiti is the lack of widespread immunization.

• According to Unite for Children Unicef, only 54 per cent of children under the age of one receive vaccinations for measles.

• There are high rates of malnutrition in the child population. Access to clean water and fuel to cook is difficult to find especially for those in rural areas.

• Many health risks and transmitted diseases. Many of the hospitals lack resources and not enough room for new patients.

• What is being done? Haiti Save the Children is an organization that have been helping Haiti since the 1970’s. One of the many resources they provide is HIV/AIDS prevention awareness to the communities. They have formed a community health program and have partnered with other organizations to vaccinate children, give them vitamins, and provide sexual education(Save the children).

CHILD EDUCATION • Sionfonds is a non-profit organization that empowers families. “Education

is highly valued in Haiti and it is at the foundation of all Sionfonds projects. Education makes a future in which opportunity and choices are possible, choices that many adult Haitians, do not have because they are illiterate. According to the CIA World Fact Book 48% of Haitians age 15 and over are illiterate. In rural areas we serve illiteracy rates are estimated to be 75%”(Sionfonds)

“50% of all children in Haiti do not ever go to school”. There are many adults that cannot read(example my grandfather).

Going to school is a privilege, not a right for Haitian children. Even Public Schools are not free

Most families cannot afford to send their children to school

• The lack of access to education and opportunity create many issues that tear families apart.

1. Parents leave the family to go to the city to find work

2. Children are given up as Resteveks(slaves-please refer to notes section) in exchange for the hope they will receive an education

3. Hopelessness, hunger, and poverty

• “Sionfonds works at the root causes of these issues not only through education but also by providing lunch and medical and dental care for our students, in addition our agricultural and educational programs for adults help the entire family”(Sionfonds). Sionfonds organization provides solutions to combat poverty.

• “We educate children because they are the future of Haiti. They will create a better tomorrow for themselves and their country”(Sionfonds).

SOLUTIONS FOR CHILD POVERTY

• “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. This quote has much meaning to it. There are hundreds of people that reach out to Haiti in many ways. When helping a nation in poverty we must find ways to implement an idea/method that they can use even after you leave their nation. That they actually have the technology that will help them continue using what you implemented. Teach them how to use the item or to make it so they can continue passing it down to the future generations.

• Things such as shelter, food, clothes, toys, money, and books are great things to donate. We must not forget to donate “time” is also very important in fighting child poverty.

• Understanding the culture before reaching out or volunteering. If not before then learn something new while you are there especially on global youth. Haiti has a high poverty rate but it is a beautiful country to explore. There are many parts that media do not cover. I have visited many beautiful places.

• Organizations, church, and ministries around the world are doing great work in helping fight poverty in Haiti. We must focus on both short and long term goals.

• An example of a solution/organization making a difference is “Poverty Resolutions”. Their goal is to provide for the vulnerable children of Haiti. According to the group “children are truly Haiti’s most vulnerable population and are unable to care for themselves”. Poverty Resolutions is dedicated to identifying and fulfilling the needs of Haitian children in order to improve the future of Haiti(UNICEF).

THERE IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE….

• “L’Union Fait La Force” This is the logo Haitians live by and it is on many Haitian flags. It means in unity there is strength. We must all unite and make a change in the world and our communities.

• We cannot give up on the children in need around the world because the children are the future.

• What is being done to combat poverty?

• Much is being done to decrease the level of poverty in Haiti. Many individuals are sharing their time and resources, ideas, and methods in order to help change Haiti. As we study global youth development we must remember that education, shelter, food/nutrition, employment, and healthcare are important in youth development. We must put on our global lends and stay encouraged for the youth of the world.

REFERENCE PAGE AND WEBSITES

• http://project81haiti.org/?page_id=69

• Jimenez, E. Y. (2007). World development report 2007 development and the next generation. Washington DC: The World Bank

• http://www.sionfondsforhaiti.org/projects/

• http://povertyresolutions.org/children_haiti.php

• http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6151435/

• http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6151435/