Haiti - Social : Young people rebuild their lives through hip-hop

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Haiti - Social : Young people rebuild their lives through hip-hop
09/01/2011 13:58:59

They are a dozen boys in the group. Their common point ? They have all been separated from their parents during the earthquake last year. Now they have found a solution to try to get out and have some hope for the future: dancing hip-hop.

390 young boys are supported in the reception center of Carrefour, Port-au-Prince. Supported by Unicef, the center allows to accommodate, feed and provide education for all young people in search of landmarks. While the center is trying to find their parents, boys do not remain inactive. Together, they form "Cœur à Cœur" (Heart to Heart) a group of hip-hop dynamics and motivated. One of their songs is called "Nous prenons nos propres décisions" (We take our own decisions) which reveals how these young people want to take control of their future. Indeed, the text of the song encouraged Haitians to do good around them all together and rebuild their country, so weakened during the past year.

Yuri Belcombe, 13 years is considered as a model student of the center, he is very proud to be part of the group and spread positive messages around him. For him, the song "We take our own decisions, "says that Haitians can improve the situation of their country. Besides hip-hop, Yuri is very motivated by what he learns in class. Through school, he may believe in the future. "I will use mathematics to help to rebuild my country", he says. "Suppose I build a road or a house, I need to know the numbers, multiplication and everything else".

You may have guessed, Yuri has a character that can be summarized in one word: optimism. It not only enjoys learning, but in addition, he loves that you listen his ideas. "One year after the earthquake, what I want above all for my country is that all Haitians join forces to rebuild our country clean up, build roads, protect the population so that we have a beautiful Haiti."

The center works closely with Unicef to reunite youth with their families. It is also to give them all the conditions to grow quietly and prepare a bright future. "The best place where these young people can rebuild itself, is not the Center, but a family", says Jeff Desruisseaux of the reception center of Carrefour.

HL/ HaitiLibre / UNICEF