‘Don’t give up on children’: A Haitian girl displaced by violence finds hope in school

A teenage Haitian girl forced to flee her home in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince due to gang violence has urged adults not to “give up on the children.”

Thirteen-year-old Dieussika lived peacefully with her family before armed violence and insecurity forced them to flee.

“We had to leave our house and my sister almost died because of her asthma,” she said.

Haiti remains firmly in the grip of a security crisis as gangs battle for control of territory in the capital and beyond.

Insecurity has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, contributing to the humanitarian and economic crises the country is grappling with.

Conflict, displacement, poverty and insecurity have converged to make learning virtually impossible for hundreds of thousands of Haitian children.

During the 2024-2025 school year, many schools were directly affected by violence: more than 1,600 schools were closed and dozens of schools were occupied by armed groups.

In overcrowded shelters and refugee camps, children do not have access to textbooks, learning materials and qualified teachers.

Temporary housing

Dieussika’s family was forced to live in a number of temporary locations, but life remained difficult. “There are diseases, insects that bite… but despite everything, I wanted to keep going to school,” she says.

She was able to resume her studies at a site for displaced people thanks to catch-up classes organized by UNICEF.

Today, she dreams of becoming an important person in society who helps children and raises awareness among young people about rejecting armed violence.

School as a lifeline

One night, heavy rain drenched her belongings, ruining her books and clothes. Still, Dieussika spent the whole night drying it, determined not to give up her studies.

“School means so much to me. Without education, my dream would be lost,” she said.

Her favorite subjects are French and math, and she says she feels proud every time she can give her parents good grades.

Thanks to five months of catch-up lessons with the support of Education cannot waita UN fund for education in emergencies, Dieussika was able to take her exams and return to school.

“I had lost hope, but these lessons gave me confidence again. We also received vocational training in crocheting, leatherworking and cosmetology. It was an incredible opportunity,” she proudly recalls.

No dreams fulfilled without education

At school, Dieussika actively participates in her math class, encouraged and supported by her teacher. She wants to put an end to the hardships her household faces and show her family that they too can follow in her footsteps.

“I want to become someone who is important to help people. Without school we cannot achieve our dreams,” she said firmly.

Her message to adults and decision makers is clear and moving: “Don’t give up on children. Love them more and give them opportunities to learn and dream.”

Many adolescent girls like Dieussika no longer attend school due to safety concerns, caregiving responsibilities, or the lack of menstrual hygiene materials.

Thanks to the UN and its work with Haitian authorities and partners, educational and psychosocial support programs have reached more than 17,500 children, including 10,500 girls.

For Dieussika, as for so many others, these programs represent more than education; they are a lifeline, an opportunity to transform fear into confidence and ambition.