About 1500 young people attended together Semans Lape The event of the project (Seeds of Peace) is supported by the UN Peace Building Fund.
Rosemonde * (23 years old)
“I live in Cite Soleil, which is under gang control. There’s only one road out of my neighborhood, and it’s often flooded or littered with trash so it’s 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, wish it was peaceful.”
Samentha (22)
“I’m an entrepreneur. I make jams and peanut butter and other products at my home in Saint Martin. I learned this during a training course. I want to sell from local stores. , but to do that, I need to invest more.So because now I’m selling 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 under a lot of stress, so I think it’s good to expose them to activities like this, because it can help them see that they’re not so different from people living in other areas. different neighborhoods.
The situation has been bad for a few months, but despite that, I think I can inspire other young people to make progress. I believe in myself a lot. I am the locomotive for my family.”
Evens (19)
Young people including my three sisters have finished school most of the 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 youths.
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 for them to see their lives the same way I see mine. This means they focus more 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 and explore other countries, but I can’t do it now.”
Joseph (21)
“Life in Haiti is very difficult right now, because of insecurity, political instability and a crisis due to lack of gas. According to my grandfather, life was not like this before. Year after year it is getting harder and harder.” .
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.
Mirlande (19)
“The housing situation in Cite Lumière was very difficult. There was obviously violence, but when it rains the floods are very bad. Life is never easy, but it has never been this bad. Friends come. visiting me was difficult..
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 receive 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.
