Travel to Haiti with Nicole
Haiti at a Glance
Geography: Haiti shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic and is prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes and mudslides.
History Highlights: Haiti has a long history of colonization and dictatorship. Haiti is the first black led republic in the world after gaining independence from a successful slave revolution in 1804. The country was ruled from 1956 to 1986 by the self-declared "president for life," Francoise "Papa Doc" Duvalier, and then his son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier.
Quality of Life: Haiti is among the lowest-ranking nations in the world when measured by factors such as average income and life expectancy.
Current Challenges: This past year, Haiti experienced the worst hurricane season in recent memory, with three successive storms devastating the country. The global food crisis is also hitting Haiti, sparking riots. Poor prospects for making a decent living are driving illegal migrations into the Dominican Republic and other countries, including Canada. This “brain drain” further threatens Haiti's ability to create a peaceful, prosperous future.
Situation of Girls: Most girls never finish primary school. Many end up working - often without pay - as domestic servants called "restavecs" (meaning "to stay with"), and at risk of physical and sexual abuse. Unplanned pregnancies are common. HIV infection rates and AIDS on the rise. Some turn to crime to stay alive - living on the street and stealing or entering the sex trade. Girls apprehended by the police are sent to the same prisons as adults, where they have no access to education, and may be sexually abused by guards or adult inmates.
Plan's Response: Plan in Haiti works with local organizations to fight for the rights of young women and create viable ways for them to earn a living. We provide education, vocational training, and loans to support the creation of small businesses. We train youth to use the media to ensure their voices are heard and the rights of children promoted. We collaborate with communities on disaster preparedness and response plans.