Haiti’s children living in trauma and fear

Phuto Labadie works for Summits, one of Mary’s Meals local partners, which operates in the remote Central Plateau region. In his role as Meals Supervisor, he works with schools to ensure the feeding programme is delivered effectively so that tens of thousands of children can receive much-needed daily meals. Seneque Alexis is a teacher at Annonciation de Bernardo School, where children receive Mary’s Meals. Here they share how the violence and insecurity gripping the country is devastating the lives of children. 

What challenges are people facing in the areas where you are delivering the school feeding programme? 

Phuto Labadie: The gangs and the insecurity have had a considerable impact. It has led to an increase in poverty in many regions, as many parents have lost their businesses and their jobs. This has led them into an even more precarious situation. They can no longer care for their children. Poverty now affects almost all families, since families are now forced to leave their homes. The most difficult aspect of this food situation is the extreme hunger that is ravaging these regions.

How have children who receive Mary’s Meals been impacted by the armed gangs? 

Phuto Labadie: One of the biggest impacts of the gangs and insecurity are traumatised children who have difficulty learning. When they lived in regions where there was no insecurity before, they learned better. They were learning in a calm setting. But now, it's hard for them to learn.  

In some places, children can't go to school because gangs are occupying the premises. Some of the schools had to be closed and can't reopen. There are many displaced children, and wherever they go, they cannot attend school for economic reasons. 

Seneque Alexis: Children are really affected by the gang violence – physically and their behaviour. They are very scared, and even though the school is in a remote location, they are terrified because they think gangsters are hiding in the bushes.  

The children [from the school area] notice how people are fleeing, particularly when other children coming from other regions to find refuge in their school tell them how hard life is. This has many negative effects on their learning.  

What are the challenges in delivering the school feeding programme amid the violence and insecurity? 

Seneque Alexis: Sometimes it is difficult to obtain food through areas controlled by gangs. This slows down the delivery of food. Nevertheless, the people in charge always make sure that the food reaches its destination, even if it is delayed. 

Phuto Labadie: Children's futures are now under threat. Their futures are, therefore, uncertain. This forces us to redouble our efforts to ensure that children learn what we teach them because the future is unpredictable due to the gangs. We don't know what the country will be like. Everything is unclear. 

How are  daily school meals helping children in Haiti? 

Phuto Labadie: The school meals programme is a solution to the hunger children are facing. It provides a solution because children eat every day. It helps children stay healthy. They can now study and cope with the problems of poverty and hunger that exist in the country. 

It helps children have a warm meal every day, which in turn helps them stay longer in the school. They can learn more. Mary's Meals is very important for the children. 

Haiti’s children are running out of options. Hungry and surrounded by violence, many are being recruited into armed gangs – lured by the promise of food.   

School meals give them a lifeline, and a donation of just €22, $25.20 USD, or £19.15, will help us to continue providing crucial nutrition to children in a safe place of learning. Together, one meal at a time, we can restore their belief that a life beyond the chaos is possible.