More than 200 years ago, in 1804 Haiti became the first nation in the world founded on the abolishment of slavery. Unfortunately extreme poverty and inequality forces over 300,000 children to live today enslaved as domestic servants.
Just an hour and a half from Disney World, tens of thousands of children lose their labor, their childhoods and their sense of humanity, toiling day and night as domestic slaves, as restavèks.
Democracy and development cannot advance alongside subjugation and servitude. In keeping with the greatness of its victorious beginnings, Haiti must recommit to the abolishment of slavery. It is time for Haiti and its supporters to take all measures necessary to ensure that every child in Haiti attends primary school and is exempt from domestic bondage. It can be done. Now is the time to do it.