Restavec Freedom Foundation

Rf justice training is hosted throughout haiti utilizing the expertise of 7 local trainers in more than 35 communities, engaging more than 2700 participants in 2023. The training is designed to influence communities toward ending the destructive practice. The six-week program re-examines the culturally entrenched exploitation of children in restavek. Participants confront harmful traditions and design local alternatives that protect children. The training introduces the haitian laws that protect children and create child protection committees that work in various communities to raise awareness of the situation of children as well as act as child protectors in their communities, bringing to the attention of authorities and rf advocates situations of abuse.

Rural community programs are an increasing focus as the organization continues to spread its reach. The community center continues to function in the southern region of haiti, offering classes to parents, activites such as reproductive health programs, a four-year english education program, professional training, vocational training in electrical, plumbing and construction trades. Teachers take their literacy training programs into mountainous communities where residents live in more remote areas. The center hosts summer camps for more than 1200 children and leadership classes for youth. The center provides jobs for more than 40 people directly. Rf opened 7 new regional hubs, now operating in 5 departments of haiti. Each hub offers similar programs as the port salut learning center and together serve more than 700 adults and children. Multiple summer camps are offered in each location, in total hosting more than 1950 program and local children in 2023. In 2023 rf provided more than 225 fruit bearing trees to community members, churches and schools throughout the port salut region working to build an agroforestry and gardening program that will create food sustainability for families in the community.

The organization has become a leading voice for children in restavek with haitian leaders, international media outlets, and u.s. Based organizations. In 2022 services expanded into the central plateau with more learning centers.