For one day, displaced children in Haiti found joy at an amusement park

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The laughter of displaced children echoed through Lakay Fun World amusement park on a warm February afternoon, a rare moment of joy in their uncertain lives. Nearly a thousand children—forced from their homes by gang violence—ran, danced, and played during a special recreational day organized as part of the carnival period. For a few precious hours, the weight of insecurity lifted, replaced by the simple joy of childhood.

For many, it was their first chance in months to simply be kids again.

Held on Feb. 27 ahead of the March carnival festivities, the event gave these children—many of whom have spent months in makeshift shelters—a taste of normalcy. Some climbed playground structures, rolled on the ground, and played together. Others danced and enjoyed sweet, colorful fresko and hot dogs, their eyes momentarily bright with excitement. The joy was real, even if fleeting.

“I feel really happy to be here,” said Widle Lasseur, 15, who fled gang violence in Carrefour-Feuilles with her family. “The games are wonderful. Look at the children—they are so happy and playing.”

“We are adapting to the situation in the face of the serious security problem, and our wisdom prevents us from giving the police more work.”

Youry Chevry, interim mayor of Port-au-Prince

Lasseur, like many others at the event, has been living at the Direction Départementale de l’Ouest (DDO) du Ministère de l’Éducation displacement site on Rue Duncombe since gangs stormed the neighborhoods of Carrefour-Feuilles and Savane Pistache, burning homes and forcing families to seek refuge in schools, playgrounds, and public buildings. With few opportunities to play in the cramped conditions of her camp, she cherished this moment and hoped for more.

“If they could do it again, it would make us very happy,” she said, her voice bright with excitement. Then, as if reminded of those left behind, she added, “Not everyone got to come. I hope next time, more children can have this experience.”

A city adapting to crisis

The insecurity in Port-au-Prince has forced the cancellation of traditional carnival celebrations—no chaloska masks, no grand floats, no dancing crowds in Champ-de-Mars, and no rara bands filling the streets with music. Instead, local officials at City Hall have shifted to alternative activities, including street cleanups, discussions on insecurity, and small-scale community events like the children’s recreational day.

“We are adapting to the situation,” said Youry Chevry, the interim mayor of Port-au-Prince. “With the current security crisis, our priority is ensuring safety while still offering moments of joy where possible.”

Chevry, who recently resumed his role despite past legal troubles—including a police warrant for murder, attempted murder, destruction of public and private property, and criminal association—emphasized that the city’s focus is on providing relief amid ongoing attacks in many neighborhoods.

“I feel good that the mayor is making us feel comfortable,” said one child, smiling under a straw hat. “The mayor played with us and allowed us to have a great carnival. Thank you.”

Without providing figures or further details, Port-au-Prince City Hall said the event was funded through a mix of its carnival budget, private sponsors, and a partnership with Lakay Fun World, a local amusement park.

More displacement and uncertainty

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that nearly 13,000 people have been displaced in Port-au-Prince in recent months. Of those, 62% remain in the municipality, with about half finding refuge with relatives and the rest housed in 31 shelters—27 of which existed before the latest wave of violence.

Families have been uprooted from neighborhoods like Codada-Delmas 30, Carrefour-Feuilles, Cargo, Métivier, and Tabarre 27. In January, around 150 people, including children, were killed in the commune of Kenscoff, forcing many survivors into overcrowded displacement camps.

“If they could do it again, it would make us very happy, and we would be very pleased.”

Widle Lasseur, 15

The announcement of the children’s recreational day was not widely spread, given the instability in many neighborhoods. Its location—Canapé-Vert, an area still under threat—underscored the fragility of such moments. Just days before, armed groups rampaged through Delmas 19 and 30, killing residents, torching homes, and displacing even more families.

For many, the uncertainty of when—if ever—they will return home weighs heavily.

Port-au-Prince: dimmed lights

Once known for its vibrant carnival, Port-au-Prince has had to drastically scale back its festivities. Last year’s event went on despite gang violence, but the energy and spectacle were noticeably diminished. This year, officials scrapped large gatherings altogether, opting instead for symbolic activities like a blood donation drive and discussions on the festival’s cultural significance.

“Port-au-Prince is a city made for carnival, like Rio [de Janeiro] or Port of Spain,” said interim mayor Youry Chevry. “Even if we cannot celebrate in the usual way, we must always mark the occasion.”

But as insecurity deepens, many question whether funds for even scaled-down celebrations could be better spent on security and aid for displaced families.

For Lasseur and the other children, the day’s joy was undeniable—but also a reminder of everything they had lost. As the sun set on the laughter-filled playground, uncertainty settled in once again.

The post For one day, displaced children in Haiti found joy at an amusement park appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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For one day, displaced children in Haiti found joy at an amusement park was first posted on March 14, 2025 at 11:21 am.