http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/24115 Child Slavery in Haiti Haiti has approximately 300,00 children who have been sold or given into a life of slavery. They are known as 'restaveks' - children who 'stay with' another family. These children mostly come from very poor families, particularly from the slums or rural areas of Haiti, who often are no longer able to care for their child, and they are given to families that are marginally better off. The concept of Restavek began as a positive idea where the parents simply wanted a better life for their child, food, clothing and an education. Most children, however, are used as slaves and do not get sent to school, nor are they fed very well. Some are raped, almost all are beaten daily, and many are killed from the abuse. For more information visit http://www.christinasimons.com/haiti_project.html Images by Christina Simons http://www.lightstalkers.org en-us http://images.lightstalkers.org/avatars/28950/n696270476_119095_1135_small.jpg http://www.lightstalkers.org/Christina Simons <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993345/2_small.jpg' /><br />The countryside, near Gonaives, Haiti.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993345'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993345 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:38:14 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993345 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993345/2_small.jpg' /><br />The countryside, near Gonaives, Haiti.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993345'>view full-size image</a> Christina Simons <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993351/3_small.jpg' /><br />A little girl in Cite Soleil, Port au Prince’s most notorious slum, stands near her home.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993351'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993351 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:38:45 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993351 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993351/3_small.jpg' /><br />A little girl in Cite Soleil, Port au Prince’s most notorious slum, stands near her home.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993351'>view full-size image</a> Christina Simons <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993357/4_small.jpg' /><br />Sourette, the woman who runs Foyer des Enfants, comforts one of the orphans. Most of the orphans here have been Restaveks.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993357'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993357 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:38:52 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993357 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993357/4_small.jpg' /><br />Sourette, the woman who runs Foyer des Enfants, comforts one of the orphans. Most of the orphans here have been Restaveks.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993357'>view full-size image</a> Christina Simons <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993363/5_small.jpg' /><br />Three month old Marie, sleeps next to a bottle of rum. Her father was killed 1 month before her birth, in Cite Soleil. She shares this bed with her mother, Osefita and her 5 siblings. Osefita may soon consider sending one of her children into a life of a restavek.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993363'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993363 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:39:03 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993363 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993363/5_small.jpg' /><br />Three month old Marie, sleeps next to a bottle of rum. Her father was killed 1 month before her birth, in Cite Soleil. She shares this bed with her mother, Osefita and her 5 siblings. Osefita may soon consider sending one of her children into a life of a restavek.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993363'>view full-size image</a> Christina Simons <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993366/6_small.jpg' /><br />Myrlande was a restavek. When she was 11 she was beaten so badly she ran away to the streets. Now at 15 she often sleeps here or in a playground, nearby. To survive she has turned to prostitution. She charges 75¢ per customer. She had a miscarriage when she was 12 years old.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993366'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993366 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:39:18 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993366 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993366/6_small.jpg' /><br />Myrlande was a restavek. When she was 11 she was beaten so badly she ran away to the streets. Now at 15 she often sleeps here or in a playground, nearby. To survive she has turned to prostitution. She charges 75¢ per customer. She had a miscarriage when she was 12 years old.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993366'>view full-size image</a> Christina Simons <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993369/7_small.jpg' /><br />A street boy eats a Mango, in Cite Soleil.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993369'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993369 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:39:30 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993369 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993369/7_small.jpg' /><br />A street boy eats a Mango, in Cite Soleil.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993369'>view full-size image</a> Christina Simons <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993372/8_small.jpg' /><br />Erold is 13 years old. His parents were killed recently in gang crossfire. He is about to begin a life as a restavek.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993372'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993372 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:39:42 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993372 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/993372/8_small.jpg' /><br />Erold is 13 years old. His parents were killed recently in gang crossfire. He is about to begin a life as a restavek.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/993372'>view full-size image</a> Christina Simons