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Restavèk:  A Definition

Restavèk is a Haitian Creole term for a child from a poor family who is handed over to another family to provide "domestic help," in exchange for a better future. The vast majority of these children are blatantly denied their rights to education, adequate nutrition, rest and recreation.

It comes from the French "rester avec" meaning to stay with.  In Creole, there is no difference between a restavèk who is treated well and one who is treated badly by the family.  A restavèk should never be confused with a child in foster care.

RESTAVČK PROJECT
INFORMATION:
  Campaign Overview
  Introduction
Definition
  Rights of the Child
  Where is Your Grown-up?
  How You Can Help
  Children of Shadows - 54-min documentary
  Defensora de la libertad
FROM THE ARCHIVES:
  Restavèk No More: Eliminating Child Slavery in Haiti - NCHR Report - April 18, 2002
  State Party Report - Haiti to the UN with Respect to the Convention on the Rights of the Child Submitted in 2001
  Ti Saintanise - restavèk story in Creole by Maurice Sixto
  NCHR Urges Haiti President to Fullfill Promises on Children's Rights
  Restavčk: Four-year-old Servants in Haiti - Haiti Insight Dec '96 / Jan '97
RELATED EXTERNAL LINKS:
   Join NCHR in the March for Children's Rights
  Organizations
  Articles and Books


Subscribe to our "restavèk" discussion group

 

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©2002 NCHR -- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED -- Last updated: 01 May 2007