Cité Soleil is one of the poorest and most dangerous areas in the Western Hemisphere. It is one of the biggest slums in the Northern Hemisphere. It has virtually no sewers, electricity, stores, health care facilities or public schools. Families often do not have food for the day or money to purchase necessities.
This fully funded project includes annual tuition and two meals a day for children in families who are otherwise unable to care for them. Without this assistance, these children are at risk of being given to another family as a restavek (child laborer) in the hope that they may be better fed and educated; or they may be given to an orphanage out of desperation.
Haitians value education and that is especially true for those that live in places like Cité Soleil. Haitian parents want their children to attend school because they want a better life for them. They want them to be prepared to get a job and take advantage of any opportunity that arises. They do not want their children hindered by illiteracy and poverty as they are. These are their dreams for their children’s future. Planet Changer is helping parents to keep their children and realize these dreams.