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“Advocating to end child slavery in Haiti.”. On Behalf & In Support Of The Jean R. Cadet Restavek Organization. Mission Statement. The Jean-R. Cadet ‘Restavek No More’, Inc is a non-profit organisation dedicated to ending child slavery in Haiti.
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“Advocating to end child slavery in Haiti.” On Behalf & In Support Of The Jean R. Cadet Restavek Organization
Mission Statement • The Jean-R. Cadet ‘Restavek No More’, Inc is a non-profit organisation dedicated to ending child slavery in Haiti. • “ Ending Poverty will not change the heart & mind but changing the heart & mind could possibly be the beginning of a progressive society” (J.R.Cadet, 2010)
Introduction • In the beautiful Caribbean country of Haiti, just a two hour flight from Miami, Florida, its people hide their dirtiest secret. • “Child Restaveks” • The United Nations call it a form of “Modern Day Slavery”
“Restaveks” Restavek: is the Creole term for “stay with.” This is part of Haiti’s social system; when parents give their children to families of better means, hoping they will be housed, fed, clothed & schooled. But many times, the result is domestic slavery.
Identifying A ‘Restavek’ • Restaveks can be found. They are easily identified by their third hand clothes, their vacant expressions, their scars and their exclusion from school. • If they are not cooking and cleaning, they are on their way to fetch water or caring for the other children of the household. • They are valued only for their services.
If you were a Restavek child you would most likely be: • Between the ages of 5 and 15 years old. • Unable to attend school. • Subjected to physical, emotional or sexual abuse. • Responsible for collecting all the water needed for the house every day from the local well. • Three times more likely to be a girl than a boy. • Up at dawn every day to do gruelling housework. • Unable to see your family or remember where they live.
And you would most likely be: • Living with a family just as their servant and not allowed to play with the other children of the house. • One of 300,000 Haitian children enslaved in child labour. • Unsure how old you are and not know when your birthday is or have it acknowledged ever. • Hungry as you would not get enough to eat for all the work you do. • Never have all your rights as a child respected.
The Early Years of Jean-Robert Cadet ? A former Haitian Slave child during the latter 1950’s and ‘60’s. His white French father abandoned Jean’s native black Mother before he was born and she died when he was four years old. He was then sent at 4 years old into Restavek, to work as a servant for a family of strangers. Jean-Robert Cadet does not know when he was born or how old he is. He never had a birthday.
… Jean-Robert as a child: Jean-Robert Cadet was the name given to him by his owners and not the name his Mother chose for him. He was forbidden to play with the other children of the household. He was severely mistreated by his owners. Nobody ‘ever’ gave Jean-Robert a hug as a child.
The Beginning Of Change. • After Jean’s owners abandoned him in Haiti, for a new life in the U.S., they later sent for Jean-Robert to be their servant in New York. • The authorities told his owners that Jean-Robert, by law, had to attend school. • His owners abandoned him again. • A helping hand came from a teacher who introduced Jean to the welfare system & offered him extra educational support.
Making Progress Fast: Jean-Robert graduated from High School with a diploma. He was successful as a member of the elite U.S. Army “Rangers” division. Graduated in1980 from Tampa University, Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies. In 1994, Jean also earned a Master of Arts degree in French Literature. Married, became a step-father to Katrina and then father to his own son, Adam Cadet. Became a successful teacher.
Today Jean-Robert Cadet ... Is a successful author of two books, so far…! Hopeful for change with new film of “Restavec” Founded the Restavek Foundation, 2007 in Haiti; to help children trapped in servitude. Is a one-time member of the UN Working group on contemporary forms of slavery, Freedom Hero & Dr. of Humane Letters. Has testified before the United Nations and the U.S. Congress on his experiences of child slavery. Been a guest on Oprah, 60 Minutes, BBC Radio4 & featured in magazines & newspapers globally.
The Jean R. Cadet Restavek Organization • As a passionate and dedicated abolitionist of child slavery in Haiti, Jean-Robert has pledged his life’s work to fight for the human rights of all Haiti’s children. He lobbies Washington and international communities to push Haiti’s government; to issue a birth certificate to every child & make education compulsory for all children. • Working hard to change the hearts and minds of the Haitian people through the transformative power of music.
Continuing the Work of the J R Cadet Restavek Org ... Jean-Robert speaks at schools, colleges and universities; to raise‘global awareness’ and appeal for universal education on domestic slavery. He visits Haiti every six weeks and works with grass roots organisations to help as many Restavek children as possible. Jean talks to owners and helps them to see these children not unlike their own and advocates for ‘family solidarity’ in place of ‘family restavek.’ He sensitises ‘next’ generations to Restavek cruelty.
What can you do to support the work of Jean R Cadet? • READ - Jean-Robert’s book “Restavec” to gain a deeper understanding of the life of a child slave and “My Stone of Hope”, from Oct ‘11 to consider his arguments toward a brighter future in Haiti. • FOLLOW - The www.jeanrcadet.org website, pass it on and help Raise Awareness in your community. • HOST- A Fundraiser. • SPONSOR - A Child or MAKE a donation. • INVITE - Jean-Robert to speak at your school, college, university or workplace.
Jean-Robert Cadet, BA, MA. Thank you for listening. This PowerPoint presentation was compiled by Angela Smith @ “Projectpiece UK”, with all information authorised by Jean-Robert Cadet. BA, MA.
