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Haitian sports programmes assist recovery effort
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Over 600 earthquake-affected children are given the chance to address their traumas at various Children’s Park locations run by the Haitian Ministry of Youth and Sport.

Though it has been almost eight months since an earthquake left millions homeless and scarred emotionally and physically, there is still much work to be done and this is acknowledged by Michaelle Newstrom.

Ms. Newstrom operates one of these Children’s Park (“Plas Timoun” in Creole) with the help of 26 counselors and assistants. The camp seeks to help children affected by the earthquake, many of whom still live in homeless camps and often express signs of being withdrawn, silent, and aggressive upon arrival.

However, as time goes by the children learn to be more open, smile, and gain a level of hope and optimism not seen since the natural disaster. Children are kept busy playing games, doing arts and crafts, playing music, holding stage performances, and engaging in sport. Additionally the children receive therapy as needed, warm meals, and are always under the watchful eye of programme staff.

There is a fear that with the change in government scheduled to occur after the upcoming elections, there will be cuts to the programme, but given its success and the support it has received from both domestic and foreign aid groups it is likely that the camp will continue to change Haitian lives.

Read the full Washington Post article.

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