July 29, 2026
Holding On to Hope in Haiti
On April 14, armed gangs entered the village of Seguin, where Hope for Kids Haiti has served for many years.
What Every Supporter Should Know
What Is a Restavèk?
A Restavèk (from the French "rester avec," meaning "to stay with") is a vulnerable child in Haiti who is sent to live with another household because their family cannot afford to care for them.
Although many parents hope their child will receive food and schooling, the reality is often very different.
Most Restavèk children:
- Live away from home and family
- Work long hours doing domestic tasks
- Do not attend school
- Grow up without safety, nurturing, or childhood experiences
While the system is culturally tolerated, it is not preferred—and many Restavèk situations meet international definitions of child slavery and trafficking.
400,000+
It is estimated that over 400,000 children in Haiti between the ages of 5 and 17 are living as Restavèks.
Why Children Become Restavèk
Extreme poverty is the main driver. Families facing:
- Hunger
- Homelessness
- Unemployment
- Violence or displacement
often feel they have no other option but to send a child away in hopes of survival.
But sending a child away rarely protects them—it often exposes them to more hardship.
This is the cycle Hope for Kids Haiti is committed to breaking.
Our Heart: Interrupt the Cycle, Restore Childhood
Instead of sending children away, we help families keep their children with them, by providing the support they need to stay together.
We prevent Restavèk situations by offering:
Education: Scholarships, uniforms, supplies, and encouragement keep children in school and out of exploitative environments.
Nourishment: Weekly meals provide essential nutrition, stability, and dignity—so children aren't sent away because families can't feed them.
Community & Spiritual Support: Children receive love, belonging, and biblical teaching that reinforces their value and identity in Christ.
What Happens When Restavèk Is Prevented?
Children:
- Stay safely with their families
- Feel seen, known, and valued
- Grow in confidence
- Are less vulnerable to trafficking, gangs, or exploitation
- Have the chance to experience a real childhood
Families:
- Feel supported, not abandoned
- Gain hope for the future
- Are strengthened spiritually and relationally
Communities:
- Experience renewal, peace, and long-term transformation
Our Commitment to Protection & Restoration
Hope for Kids Haiti works every day to ensure children grow up:
- Safe
- Fed
- Educated
- Loved
- Rooted in community
- Anchored in the truth that they are created by God with dignity and purpose
Preventing Restavèk is not just about meeting physical needs—it is about restoring dignity and rewriting futures.
You Can Help Break the Cycle
Your support directly prevents children from being sent away.
- $2.48 feeds a child a nourishing meal
- $350 keeps a child in school for an entire year
- $100 helps fund community programs that strengthen families
Together, we can stop the cycle of Restavèk and restore hope—one child at a time.
What this looks like in Seguin right now
The pressures that push families toward Restavèk — hunger, violence, displacement — are not abstract. Read the most recent updates from Seguin below.
June 7, 2026
Food Relief & Family Support
The Hope For Kids Haiti team is now providing daily meals to children sheltering in safe locations and distributing food to families affected by the gang invasions and violence.
See how the programs work together on the Projects page, or give today to help keep families together.