Children healing in safety

Thousands of Haitian children witnessed family members die, homes crumble and neighborhoods destroyed during the January 12,2010 earthquake. Food for the Hungry responded to help children by creating child-friendly spaces (CFS). With 62 spaces set up throughout Haiti, these child zones provide safe environments with trained staff to assist children in working through trauma and sharing the message of Christ’s love.

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Haitian children come to these safe places for snacks, games, songs, teachings and art activities. In three communities, FH created these spaces to provide guidance and support for recovering children.

Several smiling children walk in a straight line and shake the hand of Joseph Getro, assistant coordinator for CFS site in Siloe. The children are giggling and enjoying a time where they can release pent-up  energy.

Siloe is a semi-urban community near Port-au-Prince. The roads have potholes as big as bathtubs and houses stand tilted and cracked. There are temporary shelters surrounded by rubble-not places for kids to climb and play.

As children enter into this safe space surrounded by fence, they start playing while snacks are handed out. A CFS staff calls out and the children run under a large tent to start the afternoon songs and games.

Joseph, who has worked at the Siloe CFS for six months, says he’s seen the children come alive. “There has been an enormous change. In March, the children were really traumatized. With the help of volunteers and staff, we’ve helped the children to work through their fears of the earthquake. The children who have been inside the CFS program are playing with each other and are wise about their situation, as compared to the other children in the community who are not attending.”

Joseph says adults in the community witnessed the change. “There are some children who have not come to CFS, but want to come now because they are still traumatized. The adults in their lives want them to come to let go of the fear.”

Now at the Siloe CFS, Joseph says that kids play, pray, teach Bible lessons, sing, recite poetry, participate in games and kick around a ball. Without this space, they would be left to create a play world for themselves among the rubble.