Haiti: a glimmer of hope to free children from violence dives into the heart of a complex reality where gang violence continues to tear the country apart, jeopardizing a future nonetheless in the fragile hands of its youth. Despite the heavy shadow of armed conflicts that caused more than 5,600 deaths in 2024 and nearly 3,000 already recorded in 2025, courageous initiatives are emerging to build lasting hope. Through the iconic figure of Sister Paësie and her association the Famille Kizito, based in Cité Soleil, Haitian children find shelter, education, and protection, far from the destructive claws of criminal gangs. In this context of alarming insecurity and precariousness, the fight for a Sun for Haiti goes hand in hand with that for a fundamental Freedom for Childhood, a symbol of a future to be rebuilt hand in hand with these young victims.
This in-depth analysis presents the different faces of the drama of Haitian childhood confronted with endemic violence, the strategies implemented to counter this scourge, as well as the key actors embodying the Glow of Childhood essential to social revitalization. Faced with massive population displacements (more than 1.3 million displaced in 2025), worsened by systematic abuses, the importance of international and local support is more necessary than ever, within a dynamic of Youth Protection Haiti and the enhancement of the educational role. We will also explore the initiatives of organizations such as UNICEF and concrete testimonies of children and educators who fight so that the Flourishing Children of today become the architects of a Living in Peace Haiti tomorrow.
- 📌 Over 8,500 deaths related to gang violence in two years, a context of chronic insecurity.
- 📌 More than 700,000 displaced people, half of whom are children, direct victims of the conflicts.
- 📌 The Famille Kizito offers children a unique educational, social, and family refuge in the largest slum.
- 📌 The crucial role of humanitarian actors and programs like PREJEUNES for rehabilitation and prevention.
- 📌 The involvement of youth and local communities through solidarity initiatives and the promotion of hope.
Gang violence and its devastating impact on childhood in Haiti
For several decades, the phenomenon of armed gangs has been eroding social stability in Haiti, expressing a power that has largely surpassed its initial links with the political class. Today, supported by international trafficking networks, these criminal forces control entire neighborhoods before now extending to rural areas, devastating daily life and undermining the well-being of the population, particularly children.
In 2025, the statistics are alarming: more than 5,600 deaths in 2024 due to armed confrontations and nearly 3,000 victims recorded in less than a year. This brutal violence forces over 1.3 million Haitians to move, creating unsanitary and precarious living conditions in makeshift shelters, often in overcrowded schools or public places. These establishments, although essential for security, bear the weight of humanitarian emergencies and the protection of fundamental rights.
The vulnerability of children becomes the most glaring priority: forced recruitments into gangs, exposure to sexual violence, food and educational deprivation are commonplace. The rise of “tolls” imposed by gangs on roads aggravates access to basic necessities, pushing families into extreme precariousness where abandonment and despair find fertile ground. Thus, the crucial importance of programs like Hope for Haiti, which aim to create spaces of safety and hope for these children exposed to the worst violence, is understood.
The psychological and social impact of violence on Haitian youth
The imprint left by this chaos is invisible but deep. Many children already show signs of trauma from a very young age: anxiety, social withdrawal, difficulties at school, deepening a vicious circle of marginalization. Family instability linked to the loss of one or more members due to violence or recruitment by gangs turns these children into cold statistics, often neglected.
Local communities, unable to fully use school infrastructures, witness the decline of the social fabric. In this context, the family remains the last bulwark, even if it is often fractured. The increase in gender-based violence intensifies the need for emergency action, especially for girl victims. According to recent United Nations reports, a 1000% increase in violence against women and girls has been recorded, exacerbating their vulnerability.
| Consequences on children 👶 | Frequency & impact 📊 |
|---|---|
| Forced recruitment by gangs | More than 20,000 cases estimated in 2025 |
| Sexual and gender-based violence | Increase of +1000% in reported cases |
| Mass displacement and uprooting | 1.3 million displaced, 50% children |
| Deprivation of access to education | More than 150,000 children out of school |
| Psychological trauma | Widespread, affecting mental health |
Faced with this emergency, several initiatives, both local and international, are mobilizing to make the voices of the most vulnerable heard and restore a minimum of dignity through active rights defense. To learn more about the efforts underway, consult the report Haiti: devastating violence and a glimmer of hope.
The Famille Kizito: a refuge of hope for thousands of children in Cité Soleil
Cité Soleil, the largest slum of Port-au-Prince, represents a microcosm of Haitian tragedies, where poverty and insecurity combine. For 25 years, Sister Paësie has established a haven of peace there through the association Famille Kizito, which offers children a home and a school, breaking the infernal cycle of recruitment and violence.
The path has not been without obstacles. Indeed, the worsening of criminality and battles between gangs have temporarily affected the community, forcing constant adaptation. Today, Sister Paësie’s response is reflected by:
- 👦🏼 A safe familial welcome for street children.
- 📚 Education adapted to maintain access to schooling.
- 🍲 Daily meals guaranteeing a minimum nutritional intake.
- 🤝 Psychological support to heal invisible wounds.
Children welcomed find much more than a roof: a sense of belonging and the prospect of a Future for Children far from violence. Through this dynamic of mutual aid, Famille Kizito perfectly embodies the Glow of Childhood approach, essential to Haiti’s reconstruction.
| Services offered by Famille Kizito 🏠 | Observed results 📈 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation of orphaned or vulnerable children | More than 300 children welcomed |
| Educational programs funded by donations | Enrollment rate above 85% |
| Payment of young teachers | Local educational dynamism and employment |
| Balanced meals and health care | Improvement of the general health of children |
| Active family search | Possible relocation and social reintegration |
This beautiful initiative is supported by many actors, convinced that a solid Youth Protection Haiti is the key. To go further in discovering this commitment, visit the exclusive testimony at Famille Kizito and its impactful actions.
National and international programs to break the cycle of child violence
Faced with this colossal challenge, the Haitian state, supported by UNICEF, the European Union, and various NGOs, has deployed the Prevention and Rehabilitation Program for Children and Youth (PREJEUNES). This program aims to:
- 🛡️ Prevent recruitment and radicalization of children into gangs.
- 💬 Provide psychological rehabilitation for children victims of violence and trauma.
- 🎓 Facilitate school and social reintegration.
- 🤝 Raise community awareness about child rights protection.
- 🌐 Create monitoring networks to alert and act quickly.
PREJEUNES also relies on local population knowledge, encouraging close mobilization that fosters collective resilience. The joint action of these actors fosters hope for tangible and lasting change. This collective fight is the very foundation of Hope for Haiti, a global humanitarian project.
| Key objectives of PREJEUNES 🎯 | Performance indicators 📊 |
|---|---|
| Reduction of forced recruitment | 15% estimated decrease in 2025 |
| Number of children reintegrated into school | More than 12,000 children in 2025 |
| Community awareness sessions | More than 200 sessions held |
| New protection centers | Creation of 5 centers in rural areas |
| Direct psychological support | Thousands of children helped |
To understand in detail the mechanisms and concrete impacts of these initiatives, the report U-Reporters at the heart of the humanitarian response in Haiti offers vivid and relevant testimonies, revealing the reality on the ground.
Testimonies, driving force for lasting change for the future of childhood
The commitment of actors closest to children facing violence is based on poignant stories that humanize the crisis and illuminate paths to peace. Sister Paësie testifies to daily realities and hopes:
- 🌟 “School is a place of protection where our children find a meal, a safe environment, and hope.”
- 🌟 “Gang wars have deprived thousands of children of their childhood and their future.”
- 🌟 “Our mission is to offer them a different choice: to build themselves differently, away from weapons.”
These words also resonate in children’s testimonies who, despite adversity, resist and aspire to a normal life: studying, playing, dreaming. This collective energy fuels the Hand in Hand Haiti movement, bringing together families, educators, and humanitarians in a common quest.
An essential focus is also on the care of often invisible traumas so that each child can transform pain into strength. This includes psychological support workshops, artistic programs, but also the involvement of parents and communities.
| Key elements of testimonies ✍️ | Impact on the community 🌍 |
|---|---|
| Stories of children in rehabilitation | Strengthening respect for rights |
| Engagement of local educators | Increase in school enrollment rate |
| Psychological support workshops | Decrease in risk behaviors |
| Artistic and cultural programs | Creation of spaces for expression |
| Family and community support | Improvement of overall well-being |
To deeply discover these inspiring stories and remarkable work accomplished, explore the stories published on Haiti Without Violence, the vocation of Sister Paësie.
Mobilizing the international community and strengthening local resilience
The difficult context calls for sustained international support, which prioritizes community autonomy. Global awareness has resulted in an influx of humanitarian aid, but also in strategic support aimed at prevention and reconstruction.
Several axes have been defined so that support brings lasting impact:
- 🌍 Strengthening local capacities through training and job creation.
- 🏥 Improving access to care and mental health for children and their families.
- 💡 Support for education, especially in the areas most affected by violence.
- ✊ Promotion of child rights and fight against gender-based violence.
- 🛠️ Development of sustainable infrastructures for the protection and flourishing of youth.
By building these pillars, the global community contributes to offering a true Hope for Haiti, with the objective that these children grow up free, protected, and flourishing. This dynamic fits within a vision of a transformed Haiti, for which peace and security are no longer just a right but a tangible reality.
| Priority axes of international action 🌐 | Short and medium term objectives 🎯 |
|---|---|
| Training of educators and social workers | 30% increase in local experts by 2026 |
| Access to pediatric and psychological care | Cover at least 60% of vulnerable children |
| Support for schooling | 20% reduction in dropout rate |
| Fight against sexist violence | Implementation of specialized services |
| Construction of community centers | Establishment of 10 new centers in high-risk areas |
This collective work is illustrated by the impact of projects supported notably by UN agencies and international NGOs, which you can discover in detail via Haiti: between violence and strategies of hope. Together, let’s bring a beacon and a Glow of Childhood for every little Haitian.
What are the main dangers faced by children in Haiti?
Children are exposed to direct gang violence, forced recruitment, sexual violence, and psychological trauma due to war and mass displacements.
How does Famille Kizito protect vulnerable children?
Famille Kizito offers a secure home, free education, meals, psychological support, and assists family reintegration when possible.
What are the objectives of the PREJEUNES program in Haiti?
PREJEUNES aims to prevent child recruitment, provide psychological support, reintegrate victims into school, and raise community awareness for better rights protection.
What role does the international community play in protecting Haitian children?
It provides financial, technical, and logistical support, promotes local training, improves access to healthcare and education, and supports the fight against gender-based violence.
How do the testimonies of children and educators contribute to change?
They humanize the crisis, mobilize support, strengthen child rights awareness, and foster the creation of programs adapted to real needs.