Children at the two child-friendly spaces in Haiti
HAITI – February 13 2022

Opening of two child-friendly spaces in Haiti

The child-friendly spaces will respond to the needs of children affected by August's earthquake.

Two child-friendly spaces will effectively respond to the needs of children affected by the earthquake through psychosocial support. In addition, they will serve as recovery support centers for the most affected individuals and families, including participants of the SOS Family Care program in Les Cayes run by SOS Children's Villages in Haiti.

60 girls and 32 boys in La Savane and 70 girls and 43 boys in Marceline attended the launch of the project. Social workers and psychologists present at the event took the opportunity to first establish contact with their parents. The parents also need psychological support and adequate knowledge of the concepts that will be discussed with children in the child-friendly spaces.

"I am very happy to participate in such a project. I was seriously starting to worry about my 9-year-old daughter getting startled at the slightest noise. I felt overwhelmed because I didn't have a solution. Today, I am reassured. I can sleep with my head rested. My daughter will have the support that her case requires," says Adeline Jacques, a mother of four.

According to their age, children were divided into small groups: four to seven, eight to 11 and 12 to 15. They could enjoy communicative, creative, recreational and sports activities organized in the courtyards near the child-friendly spaces.

"I am very happy with the establishment of this space for children and adolescents, especially for the victims of the earthquake on August 14, 2021. Parents can now breathe a sigh of relief. Traumatized children have a space for entertainment and access to professionals they can confide in. I applaud this project with both hands, " says Kervens Jean, a member of the child-friendly space of the La Savane committee.

The two launches took place in a festive and warm atmosphere. Children love knowing that there is a space available to them where they can express themselves freely, have fun, play with their friends and make new ones.

SOS Children's Villages in Haiti is committed to providing a learning and entertainment space where children can recover emotionally and develop thanks to multiple educational activities.

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