HETI: The school became a school for people suffering from violence – eSHOP24X7

The School classes of Anténor Firmin located in the intermediate city of Hanchae de Hethee, are now full of screams of children, utensils and night whispers, not of early childhood education.

More than 700 displaced people have taken refuge in this ruined building. These people now sleep on the same floor where children used to multiply.

These people include Edence Desir, former teacher and trained accountant. He believes that education can become the most powerful path of peace and prosperity for this Caribbean country.

In March 2025, violence broke out in Saut-Deu and Mirbalis changed their entire lives. They were among those 6 thousand people who escaped from murder, rape, theft and fire caused.

He said: “Everything I had done in the years, everything was destroyed. I was completely empty.”

The capital of Hiti, Portea, has been occupied by violent gangs in most Port-O-Prince. But recently, its influence has begun to spread to rural areas, where cities such as fan and saut-deu are found.

Adensss Desir obtained refuge in the same school where he used to teach children at the same time, but now that school has lost its original identity.

The tables placed at school have now become beds, and classes have become refugee fields. Families trapped in crowds are forced to live in those rooms that were never made to live for people.

And yet, in this crowd, the adexes made a new beginning, not only for themselves, but for the children. Once again he began teaching children with a board, a marker and a deep loyalty.

He says: “I liked teaching me since childhood. This is the most important thing for me. While these children are with me, I will continue teaching them, this is their true opportunity.”

Uncertainty

Adens Desir, who once dreams of advancing in his small business at the same time, now lives in uncertainty. “That dream is over now. Violence changed everything. Now I will have to go to another place and start my life again … but while I am here, I will continue to share knowledge.”

Now every day is a new challenge for him.

He explains: “I can no longer do any plan. Every day brings new difficulties. And I think every night, while sleeping at night, I think you will get food tomorrow or not.”

There are a lot of water and food. Women and children wait hours in long lines standing with large utensils.

Toilets and bathrooms are not the same: the cleaning crisis is becoming serious, especially for children and the elderly.

Food condition is equally uncertain. He says: “There are many nights in which I have to sleep without an empty stomach. I still teach, because these children are with me.”

It is not easy to provide relief to displaced. The main path between the porte-o prince and Hancha is closed due to insecurity, which makes supply routes reduce and cut to the entire community of the outside world.

In these difficult circumstances, the United Nations International Migration Institute (IIM), 17 relief camps, has provided assistance to more than 800 families, including tents, blankets, utensils and water cans.

The IOM teams are working at a land level in collaboration with the local administration, communities and displaced people, to understand the needs of people and provide the necessary help.

In addition, local committees are being trained for camp management, the most insecure camps are transferred to safe places and are also provided with mental health assistance.

Prosper is needed for security

Adensss Desir says: “This chry situation, these children do not have their own option, but now they have to deal with that. So I think education is their greatest defense.”

When violence eliminates education opportunities, when the family decomposes and when insensitivity dominates, the propagation of education becomes a peace resistance.

“If we want changes, we need citizens who can think better. I don’t know if my work is enough or not, but this is what gives me the goal of life. Yes, I think I will have to leave them one day.”