Konpasyon ak Kouraj (Compassion and Courage) Conferences
From April 2-May 11, Restavek Freedom will be holding 12 conferences that will take place in all 10 departments of Haiti, with local pastors and civil leaders taking charge. Jean Bilda Robert along with two other members of our team, Gardy St. Paulin and Nadine Paul, will travel the country participating in each conference alongside the local leaders.These conferences will be discussing the issue of restavek and will be a kickoff for pastors and community leaders, encouraging them to take the message of freedom for all children into their spheres of influence.
Easter Sunday Music Competition Finale
Our second round of music competitions in Haiti are in full swing, with the finale being on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. Stay tuned for more information and pictures.
4th annual Help HAITI 5K run/walk
Registration is up and running! Come on out on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 8:30am for a run/walk to support Restavek Freedom and Kids Against Hunger, put on by the Oak Hills High School French Club. Click here for more information and to register!
April 13, 2013: Join with other runners in Knoxville, TN on April 13, 2013 for a run to raise awareness and money for Restavek Freedom! Click here for more information and to sign up!
Exhibit at Parker Hill Community Church
UPDATE: Students at Parker Hill surpassed their goal, raising over 18,000! See how their weekend went here.
During the month of February our Exhibit, "Restavek: A Day in the Life", is on display at Parker Hill Community Church. At the end of the month, February 22-23, the students will be participating in a 30Hour Fast. Each student participating in the Fast is required to raise a minimum amount of donations. Their goal is to raise $10,800, which will give 30 children freedom from slavery, the chance of an education and the hope of a better future. It provides them with tuition, books and a school uniform, as well as an advocate who will look out for and support them. For more information, please check out their blog.
Youth Gather to discuss Restavek
During the weekend of February 8th, 1000 youth gathered for a retreat during carnival festivities. Four of our team members were invited to present and lead discussions regarding the restavek situation in Haiti. We are so excited and encouraged to see students engaged and discussing the issue of restavek!
Community Center Classes Begin
Jan. 14, 2013: Classes begin at the community center
Christmas Song Contest Winners on Channel 24 in Haiti
January 9, 2013: Pastor Bilda, Gardy and 8 of the finalsits from the Christmas Song Contest will be on Channel 24 to talk about the contest and the influence it has had on the community
Christmas Song Competition Finale
Dec. 25, 2012: On Christmas day, over 9,000 people attended the grand finale of the competition. For more information go to our blog.
School Starts
October 2012: The school year starts and everyone is busy getting ready.
Handmade in Haiti Jewelry on Etsy
Oct. 1, 2012: We have an Etsy site! Make sure to take a look at the beautiful jewelry the girls in our program are making.
The community center gets a roof
Sept. 28, 2012: We are close to being complete!
Life Church builds a playground
Sept. 27, 2012: An amazing team of men from Life Church came to help us work on the community center in Port Salut. They donated their time, soccer balls, awesome chocolate covered rice Krispy treats, tools and a beautiful playground unlike anything you have ever seen in this part of Haiti. Read more here.
TivaWater visits the Transitional Home
Aug. 16, 2012: TivaWater came for a visit and installed a water filter for our Transitional Home that would provide 40 liters of clean, safe drinking water for our girls and staff every day. Such a wonderful gift! THANK YOU TivaWater!
New Office
Aug. 14, 2012: The team in Haiti moves into their new office.