About 1500 young people attended together Semans Lape project event (Seeds of Peace) supported by the United Nations Peace Building Fund.
Crafts, including earrings, are on display at a youth event in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Rosemonde* (23 years old)
“I live in Cite Soleil, which is under the control of gangs. There is only one road out of my neighborhood and it is often flooded or full of garbage so it is difficult to participate in outside activities. .
My mother is not at home right now and I am the eldest of six children, so I have to do what I can to take care of the family. I don’t feel comfortable where I live.
“I make crafts, like earrings. When I participate in activities at these large gatherings, I can talk to people, I can live and act normally. I come here to enjoy enjoy life.
I wish my neighborhood was like this, I wish there was peace.”
Young entrepreneurs display their products at a youth event in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Samentha (22)
“I’m an entrepreneur. I make jams, peanut butter and other products at my home in Saint Martin. I learned this during a training course. I want to sell in local stores. , but to do that, I need more investment.So now I’m selling from my house.
Young people in Haiti want to move forward but find it difficult to get help, especially without a functioning social support system
Young people are very stressed, so I think it’s good to get them together for activities like this, because it can help them see that they’re not so different from people who live in different neighborhoods. difference.
The situation has been deteriorating for several months, but despite that, I think I can inspire other young people to improve. I believe in myself a lot. I am the leader for my family.”
Haitian young men and women take part in a youth sports event in Port-au-Prince
Even (19)
Young people including my three sisters have finished school, spending most of their time sitting at home with nothing to do. These activities, including training courses, are important because they keep us moving forward. Of course, it’s good to spend time with other young people.
I love to play sports. Even when I was young, I was strong and competitive and that encourages me today to still do my best.
My dream for other young people is that they see their lives the same way I see mine. This means they are more focused on their work, on what they need to learn. I always encourage them to try.
One of my dreams is that after finishing school I want to travel, explore other countries, but now that is not possible.”
Joseph, was one of 1500 young men and women participating in the event in Port-au-Prince
Joseph (21)
“Life in Haiti is very difficult now, because of insecurity, political instability and crisis because of lack of gasoline. According to my grandfather, life was not like this before, now it is more difficult year after year. “.
An activity like this is very important, because it helps young people integrate into society and see their true worth. The country needs more recreational activities.
The Semans Lape The project provided me with training and now I am an entrepreneur. I am also a student. I sold chocolate before the project, but now I have taken my business to the next level and the products are prettier and better presented. My business is called Happy Choco. I see myself as an entrepreneur and so school is very important to me.
Dancers perform at a youth event in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Mirlande (19)
“The situation at home in Cite Lumière is very difficult. There is violence, obviously, but when it rains the floods are terrible. Life has never been easy, but it has never been this bad. It is difficult to friends come to visit me .
Many people rate us because we come from this part of the city. Everyone can have a good life. Most people who are abused are innocent.
This activity allows us to make small talk, to get news. It’s really important. I love to dance and our neighborhood put on a show here. I think it would be better if these activities could happen more often.
My dream is to go to college to become an accountant and continue to work at a professional level. But it was difficult and we did not have enough means to continue going to school. This is a problem that we can say most young people here have. Many of us have talent and intelligence, but we cannot exploit it to our advantage.
Today’s activity can change people’s attitudes about young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods.”
ACTUAL BOX:
The Semans Lape The project is funded by the United Nations Peace Building Fund and implemented by Concern Worldwide, in collaboration with national NGOs Lakou Lapè and Sakala.
