Hope Amidst Hardship: Haitian "Joy Warriors" Bring Healing to Children
There’s one gang in Haiti that no one’s told you about. It’s a gang of Joy Warriors that are bringing hope and healing for children whose lives have been ravaged by almost unimaginable violence & poverty. And sometimes, when things feel so dark and challenging, it can be powerful to shine a light on some good that we can grow.
Amidst the political instability, rampant gang violence, extreme poverty, and school closures, Haitian children and families are living in a constant state of fear. Without the structure and stability provided by a traditional school day, children are in dire need of psychosocial support to buffer them from ongoing trauma. Thankfully, The Playmaker Project has more than 6,000 “Joy Warriors” in Haiti to help guide parents with simple things they can do to feel a sense of agency when caring for their children’s wellbeing.
Traditionally designed for early childhood education professionals, the Playmaker team in Haiti restructured the program to educate parents on supporting the psychological safety of their children. Parents see tremendous value in these trainings, sometimes walking several miles to attend. To best guide the local communities, the Playmaker training staff is comprised of Haitian staff who take the foundation and framework of the program and infuse it with teachings relevant to their Haitian culture.
