Haitian children in Port-au-Prince enjoy rare moment of recreation and learning at summer camp escape

PORT-AU-PRINCE — In a city where gunfire, fear and displacement have become routine, dozens of children found moments of joy and creativity this month at the For The Kids orphanage. From Aug. 5 to 26, the nonprofit hosted its third annual summer camp, offering participants—mostly between six and 17— rare opportunities to learn, play and express themselves through arts and sports.

At the closing ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 26, the children performed songs, dances and theater pieces, proudly showcasing their work and learning. 

“The camp helped me learn many things I didn’t know before, like decorating T-shirts and making crafts from wood,” 15-year-old Mikerlineda Aldemy told The Haitian Times. “I hope God blesses the organizers with long life so they can continue helping children.”

Workshops included painting, dance, singing and sports, all facilitated by volunteers. Parents and neighbors joined in for the final celebration, which highlighted the children’s creativity and determination to embrace joy despite daily hardships.

“This is our way of giving them space to dream and to grow,” said Yendy Cavé, co-founder of For The Kids. “Haiti is not an easy country, but we do what we can to help children who have enormous potential, because they are the future of the nation.”

Besides the orphanage residents, the camp welcomed children from various neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince, some of whom were accompanied by their parents. According to the organizers, this third summer camp shows For The Kids’ ongoing commitment to supporting children after a tough school year that has significantly impacted their growth.

“I hope you had a great time these past three weeks, learned to sing, dance, create art, do theater, play sports, and show respect to one another,” Cavé said to the children on the closing day.

A camp amid crisis

The initiative takes place against a backdrop of relentless violence that has deeply scarred Haitian childhoods. Like adults, hundreds of thousands of children endure forced displacement caused by violent gang attacks, the daily sound of gunfire and the constant fear of heavily armed gangs taking over their neighborhoods. This harsh reality has become part of their daily lives.

According to the United Nations, of the 1.3 million people displaced in Haiti since December 2024, nearly 700,000 are children. About 243,000 children have lost access to school and meals, while gangs forcibly recruit many others—with over 30% of members being children.

Insecurity also seeped into the camp. Through a theater piece performed as a safety drill, children reenacted the sudden bursts of gunfire that interrupt playtime in their neighborhoods. “It may look like a play on stage, but it’s their daily life,” said Daphney “Noah” Dumesle, co-founder of For The Kids. “Sometimes we have to rush them inside for safety.”

Still, the camp gave many children their first real taste of life without angst in years. 

In Port-au-Prince, finding moments of ease has become a challenge. Beyond the lack of recreational spaces in the capital, insecurity makes it nearly impossible to enjoy free time without fear. Yet that didn’t stop 16-year-old Robenson Venette of Canapé-Vert from focusing on learning and spending time with fellow participants at the orphanage.

“I am very happy, and I have never missed an edition,” said Venette. “I wish For The Kids would keep helping children, especially those who have no parents.”

Organizers say they hope to expand future camps to reach more children. “Even in the darkest of times, their creativity and resilience show us the light,” Dumesle said.

Here are some more images from the closing day of the 2025 summer camp at the For The Kids orphanage.

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