From Vision to Action

Reclaiming the Future for Haiti’s Most Vulnerable Children Part 2

In the last post, we declared our unshakeable belief that every child, regardless of their past, has a God-given right to grow up in safety, surrounded by the love of a family.

We promised you that Overture International was not standing still. We promised that we were not looking away. But vision without execution is merely a dream. And the children of Haiti cannot live on dreams alone. They need action. They need a plan. They need a relentless pursuit of their safety and dignity.

In January, we took the critical next step toward implementing The Support Project for Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups (EAFGA). A project that will expand our work at the Community Complex for Child Protection in Les Cayes (formerly the ESPWA campus). This is Part 2 of our journey - a look behind the scenes at the rigorous planning, the urgent collaboration, and the determination required to turn a conviction into a reality.

A United Front: The Power of Partnerships

We have said it before, and we will say it again: Sustainable change happens when we empower Haitians to lead.

The joint workshop held on January 14th and 15th, 2026, was a testament to this belief. Representatives from Overture, IBESR (Haiti’s child welfare agency), UNICEF, and local municipal authorities gathered to create a roadmap for implementing the project.  Co-chaired by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST) and IBESR, the sessions were not dictated by Overture; they were facilitated by us, but driven by Haitian leadership.

Our objective was clear: define the framework for expanding our work at the Community Complex for Child Protection in Les Cayes. We needed to define exactly how we would receive, rehabilitate, and reintegrate children from truly heartbreaking circumstances – those who have been coerced into armed groups.

Arielle Jeanty Villedrouin, the General Director of IBESR, opened the floor with a challenge that resonated deeply with us. She reminded us that the inauguration of the Les Cayes Campus affirmed the Haitian State's commitment to strengthening its national child protection system. "It’s an ambitious initiative," she said, acknowledging the mountain in front of us. But her presence, along with that of local leaders like the Mayor of Les Cayes, sent a powerful message: Haitians are ready to fight for their children.

Our Executive Director, Lisa Hyatt, echoed this sentiment, praising the courage of local leaders who are risking everything to champion this cause. She reaffirmed Overture's commitment, not as directors, but as partners willing to walk with them, every step of the way. “Overture has joined forces with these partners to build a system that will outlast any single organization. By transferring the ESPWA real estate to IBESR, we have provided the physical foundation for this work. Now, we are building the operational foundation.”

Action Plan for Q1 2026

The Community Complex for Child Protection in Les Cayes is being prepared to accommodate this new project. This first quarter of 2026, we are implementing the following actions:

Preparation of Physical Infrastructure: Before we can welcome the children, the physical space must be ready. UNICEF has presented a renovation plan for "Village 1," including seven housing domes and an activity building. The clinic will also undergo renovations to ensure immediate medical care is available on-site.

As many of you know, the campus has 3 villages of Dome Housing.  Village 1 will be designated for this project, while the other villages will house children in need of temporary crisis care for other circumstances.

Training and Expanding the Team: A building is just a shell without the right people inside it. We are currently recruiting additional Haitian professionals, including social workers, psychologists, and psychosocial activity staff. These are the heroes who will do the daily work of listening, comforting, and guiding these children back to wholeness. Training is essential to ensure they are equipped to handle the complex trauma they will encounter.

Welcoming the new group: By the end of the quarter, our systems will be ready. This involves a delicate coordination of security, transport, and immediate intake assessments. Every detail matters when safety is the priority. 

Strategy for Healing to Reintegration

Rescuing a child from an armed group is only the first step. The real work begins the moment they step onto the safe grounds of the Community Complex. These children are carrying invisible burdens that no child should ever have to bear.

Our comprehensive support system, already in place for our crisis care, will be followed for this project.  But trauma, fear, and the psychological scars of violence run deep.  This isn't a one-size-fits-all program. Every child will have a tailored pathway to restoration.

Psychosocial Healing: Healing looks like therapy, but it also looks like play. We are integrating sports, music, and art therapy - simple joys that help children remember what it feels like to just be a child.

Family Tracing and Reintegration: We believe the best place for a child is in a family. Our social workers are gearing up for the complex task of locating biological families. For those who cannot return home, we are identifying and training 200 specialized Haitian foster families ready to open their hearts.

Economic Empowerment and Vocational Training: We cannot ask a young person to leave a life of violence if we don’t offer a viable alternative for survival. We are partnering with local vocational schools to provide training in trades like plumbing, electrical work, and agriculture. We aren’t just teaching skills; we are building bridges to self-sufficiency.

Nutrition: One of the most exciting developments from the workshop was the commitment to food security. Overture presented our Diri Lavi food packaging and community farm program models, which use locally sourced agriculture to feed children. Instead of relying on imported food aid, which can harm local markets, we advocate strategies that support Haiti’s families and economy.

This is the type of empowerment that strengthens the very communities these children will eventually return to.

Navigating Risks with "Speed and Capability"

It is critical to understand the timing of our decision to enter this new chapter in child protection. It is no secret that Haiti is in the grip of a profound security collapse driven by the overbearing presence of armed gangs and insufficient state control. These gangs are organized and work to control the country’s economic and political activities by carrying out widespread acts of violence, including killings, kidnappings and sexual assaults. Among the most devastating of tactics is their recruiting and/or forcing of children to join their ranks, coercing them to participate in dangerous, illicit activities.

Bilal Sougou, the protection program manager for UNICEF, stated passionately at the close of our sessions:

"There isn't much time and the work involved is immense. That's why we need speed, speed, speed and high capability."

We are moving fast because the children cannot wait.

We are not naive to the risks.  But we are also not paralyzed by them.  

This is why your support is so vital – it will provide the resources we need to navigate these challenges without dropping the hand of a child who needs us most.

In the workshop, we addressed specific risks head-on, including rescue logistics, political instability, security concerns, and funding gaps.

Your Role in the Road Ahead

We envision a Haiti transformed by strong, independent, self-sufficient Haitian communities. But that vision starts with protecting the most vulnerable.

This project is a testament to what happens when we refuse to give up on a country or its children. It proves that when we invest in Haitian leadership, hope becomes a reality. IBESR is stepping up. UNICEF is stepping up. OVERTURE is stepping up.

But we cannot do this alone.

As we navigate the complexities of 2026, we are not just starting a project; we are reclaiming futures. Your support for Overture is a declaration that the lives of Haiti’s children matter. It is a vote for dignity over despair. It is a commitment to walking with our Haitian partners, not for them.

The work has begun. The roadmap is made. Stay tuned for our next update!