Regaining confidence in herself

The road to Canaan was a bumpy ride. The lack of a paved highway seemed to explain the overturned car on the roadside. Up in the hills, the only shadow to protect from the scorching sun was the shelter of the Community Centre. There were few buildings around, and children’s singing and laughter echoed in the warm air.

Standing nobly by the door, Marie Ange Billy came to welcome us. She is the president of the Canaan Community Centre in Haiti, a project supported by SOS Children’s Village. Mother of four, Marie Ange, illustrates a common reality in this country where women are the foundation of families.

“When I became the president of Canaan Community Centre, I started to work more closely with the families. I talked to parents about health, how to raise their children, how to take care of them. I encouraged them to be the owners of their lives and to find ways to support themselves so they may help their children,” she says.

When the earthquake rocked the country in 2009, there seemed to be no way out. Marie Ange and her husband were trapped in such dreadful conditions that they were not able to provide for their children. Unemployed, they had no income to pay school fees or even to buy food. “After I took my two youngest children to the community centre, where they had free education, I was able to untangle myself. I saved some money to send my older kids to school,” she says.

Now, Marie Ange is studying to be a teacher while she oversees the business of the community centre. Leading by example, she works to empower women. In Haiti, women play an important role in ensuring the sustainability of the families; women are in charge of children’s education, and ensuring they are fed and nurtured. Marie Ange explains that is why women should have confidence in themselves and must work to guarantee their independence.

“The more women are empowered, the more they have the ability to manage themselves, the more they give their children opportunities to succeed. We must believe in ourselves; we must rely on our capability to change our society,” says Marie Ange.

Building independence

Canaan is a district near Port-au Prince that became populated after the major earthquake struck. Following the disaster, many people fled to this previously uninhabited city and occupied it with their tents.

“Then, SOS came to evaluate the need of the region and was able to establish a community centre in the area,” explains Mia Jean Batiste, director of the Family Strengthening Program in SOS Children’s Village Santo. She clarifies that the community centres are places where vulnerable children are given education, food, health services and protection. Parents are offered opportunities for learning and improving themselves.

“Community centres are spaces where families can gather, discuss their needs and develop awareness about their situation and become motivated to develop and take charge of their kids,” she adds.

For the director, the importance of this project lies in the fact that it is self-managed by the local citizens. “SOS leaves the leadership in the hands of the community. The community is autonomous; the community gathers and looks at how they can help their children and families,” Mia says.

And, this was exactly what Marie Ange did. There is no doubt that love, strength and perseverance are the foundation of this family. For after hunger, unemployment and a devastating earthquake, Marie Ange and her family are still together, aiming for a better future, and able to flourish despite the disaster they have faced.

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.