Nathalie’s hope: A mother’s dream for her child
After armed men forced Nathalie to leave her home with her 6-month-old daughter, she has been living in a temporary site for over 3 months.
Nathalie* is a 17-year-old who lives alone with her 6 months old daughter in an internally displaced person site in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, she has been living at the temporary site for more than 3 months. Every day, she faces the streets, begging to support herself and her child.
“The hardest part was being forced out of my neighborhood. It was raining, and I was pregnant, with nowhere to go. My biggest fear had become my reality,” says Nathalie.
Before her current situation, she enjoyed a stable life with her godmother, who treated her well and provided for her needs. However, she misses her deeply, not knowing her current whereabouts.
Pregnancy and challenges
“Life was calm before the move, and I was living with someone [her boyfriend] who took responsibility of me because I didn’t have my parents around. But then, things changed. He became jealous and started hitting me. Eventually, I had to leave him and ended up in another neighborhood.” Shortly after, she discovered she was pregnant.
“When I told him, he denied the child was his. Despite the shock and his denial, I decided to keep the baby. Some people advised me against it, urging me to have an abortion, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
Now, as both mum and dad to her 6-month-old daughter, she faces numerous challenges. She gave birth at home due to a lack of money for a midwife or hospital care.
“During the birth, my father was somewhat present, but he left soon after to join my mother in Les Cayes.” She vividly remembers the early morning pain she mistook for the usual pregnancy discomfort, only to realise her water had broken by 6 a.m. Despite these trials, she finds hope and pride in her child.
“I feel it’s my future, She’s my pride because she’s my blood. I thought about all the people who advised me to have an abortion.”
” I feel it’s my future, She’s my pride because she’s my blood. I thought about all the people who advised me to have an abortion.”
Nathalie, 17
Her community and family offered no support during her pregnancy.
“I received no support from my family or my community. On the rare occasions when someone does something for you, it’s accompanied by a lot of reproach. During my pregnancy, I received help from only one organisation, I don’t remember the name.” She says.
Her mother urges her to join her, but the journey through Martissant is dangerous and she lacks money for travel. “Firstly, I’m afraid to pass through Martissant and secondly, I don’t have the money for the journey.”
Hope and dreams
Despite the hardships, she dreams of a better future. “My dream is to put my family out of its misery, so that I can succeed tomorrow. Initially, my dream was to become a lawyer, but because of my situation, I don’t think I can achieve it.” She explains.
Today, her immediate needs are a stable place to live with her child, food for the baby, and a job or business opportunity to sustain the baby and her.
“Every day is a race against time. I run from morning to midnight, constantly on edge, trying to find ways to feed my child, even if it means I go without food myself.”
Plan International’s response
Since May 2024, Plan International has been responding to the protection crisis in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince by opening 2 children friendly spaces where about 300 children play and learn. To date more than 50 protection and gender based violence cases have been identified in the sites, these children receive support as needed, including medical and food support.
“The support I get from Plan International is that every day the agents talk to me and give me advice on how to live with my girl. This support is really important to me, because without it, I could go crazy. I will use these products in moderation to ensure that they last for a very long time.”
Nathalie is one of 10 young mothers and pregnant teenagers, particularly those unaccompanied and living with 1 or 2 children, who received food and hygiene kits containing milk, cereals, flour, soap, and diapers, significantly improving their living conditions. We have also provided 2 delivery kits to pregnant adolescents, which include essential items such as baby cribs, towels, suitcases, hygiene products, and thermometers, ensuring these young mothers have the necessary support for childbirth. Additionally, they have received unconditional cash transfer.
Nathalie’s story illustrates the challenges facing by many young mothers in Haiti, particularly in terms of gender-based violence, exploitation and discrimination. Plan International is working to improve these conditions, including through the setup of child-friendly spaces, and offering support to children case by case.
The humanitarian crisis in Haiti
According to the latest data from the International Organization for Migration there are nearly 580,000 internally displaced persons across Haiti, In the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, two thirds of IDPs live in spontaneous sites with very limited access to basic services. Schools and learning institutions currently make up 39 of the 96 active displacement sites and host 61,000 people, severely limiting school attendance.
*Names have been changed for security reasons.
Emergencies, Sexual and reproductive health and rights, Cash and voucher assistance, Child protection in emergencies, Migrant and displaced children, Teenage pregnancy
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