Konpasyon ak Kouraj 2013 Update

Konpasyon
akKouraj
Yon nouvo visyon pou yon Ayiti san Restavek
Compassion and Courage: A New Vision for a Haiti Without Restavek
This spring, Restavek Freedom Foundation is parterning with pastors and community leaders throughout Haiti
to stand up against restavek. This new initiative, known as Konpasyon ak Kouraj, is inspiring key Haitian leaders
to speak out against the practice of restavek in their local communities. Konpasyon ak Kouraj operates from a
grass-roots approach, with influential pastors and community leaders in each department* (state) of Haiti
creating a strong root system, that will then branch out to smaller communities through local churches,
communities and schools (Figure 1.1).
Throughout the months of April and May, there will be 12 Konpasyon ak Kouraj conferences held in each of the
10 departments of Haiti. Restavek Freedom’s decision to work through established pastor and community
leader relationships is vital to extending efforts into every department of Haiti. Churches are the most organized
and prevalent institutions in Haiti, existing in small rural communities and large urban centers. These
partnerships will allow for materials and information to be quickly distributed, with the goal to saturate the
entire country.
Each Konpasyon ak Kouraj conference
follows the same format. During the
morning session, participants engage in
two panels; one is comprised of church
leaders, government officials and law
enforcement, while the other panel
discusses the role of the church. These
panels provide an opportunity for
participants to hear from national and local
leaders, while creating a safe environment
for healthy dialogue.
The afternoon session begins with a
discussion
on
the
psychological
implications of the system of restavek. This
is followed by Pastor Jean Bilda Robert, who
discusses the church and communities
responsibility to end the practice of
restavek.
Local awareness and
education through
church mobilization and
community programs
12 Departmental Conferences
2012 kickoff conference
Figure 1.1
Throughout the conference, participants have time to
engage with each other and review conference
materials. As part of the Konpasyon ak Kouraj initiative,
conference packets were created containing two
books, a ”Konpasyon ak Kouraj” t-shirt, “Yon nouvo
vizyon pou yon Ayiti san Restavèk” bumper sticker (a
new vision for a Haiti without Restavek) as well as note
taking materials.
Restavek Freedom Foundation partnered with Lemèt
Zefi and the Community for Christian Development to
author the two books that are being used in the
conferences. The books are written in Haitian Creole
from a justice perspective and are designed to be
used by pastors and community leaders. Leve Kanpe
Pou Libete comes as a two-book series with a
facilitator guide and companion book designed for
student studies. Jistis pou Restavék yo is a collection of
12 sermons written by prominent pastors in Haiti that
speak out against the issue of restavek. This collection
was written to inspire a change of heart and mind and
discusses the role of the church in ending the system
of restavek.
Pastor Jean Bilda Robert speaking out against restavek
Restavek Freedom is seen as leading the call for
change in Haiti, with pastors commenting that the
work being done on the issue of restavek is
unprecedented. Konpasyon ak Kouraj is a huge
initiative for Restavek Freedom and the results are
inspiring and motivating.
For more information and to support this or other initiatives
from Restavek Freedom Foundation, please visit our website at
www.restavekfreeedom.org
Standing up for Freedom
The conference in Les Cayes, Haiti
Some of the conference packet contents
*Haitian departments are government-drawn territory borders similar to U.S. states