Playmakers in

Haiti

Following the January, 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, the Life is good Playmakers went to assist in relief efforts for Haiti’s children. We identified and trained a core group of outstanding Haitian child care providers. Supplied with play equipment, these Playmakers ran playgroups for children living in tent cities in and around Port-au-Prince. They called themselves the Gerye Jwa (Creole for "Joy Warriors") since they are committed to protecting the playful optimism of Haiti's children.

A smaller core team of these Gerye Jwa received additional training both in Haiti and in the United States in 2010 and 2011. In late 2011, they became an established non-governmental organization (NGO) in Haiti under the name of the Life is good Playmakers Ayiti . To date the team has trained over 300 new Playmakers who are bringing a joyful, healing approach to thousands of children. Talented, dedicated Haitians equipping their fellow Haitians to heal and strengthen children — this is a smart, sustainable model for a stronger Haiti.