Jenika Sings For Freedom












Jenika Sings For Freedom
by the Restavek Freedom Writers
Story: Jenika's life changed in an instant. One day she lived in the countryside with her mother and ten siblings, and the next she moved with her aunt to the city, where she was promised an education but was instead forced into a life of cooking, cleaning, and despair. The only thing that kept her going was her singing. Read this inspiring tale of a girl who overcame the odds, written by girls who understand her struggle.
Story Behind the Story: Written by a team of young women served by the Restavek Freedom Foundation, Jenika Sings For Freedom aims to raise awareness about the inhumanity and injustice of child slavery in Haiti. At the same time, the books give these young women the opportunity to shape the stories of their own lives with power and possibility and hope.
ISBN: 978-0692321515
Age: 7-11
Lexile: 630L
Page Count: 46
Published: Fall 2014
Meet the Authors
Young women from the Restavek Freedom Foundation (RFF) in Port-au-Prince wanted to use their voices to raise awareness about the inhumanity and injustice of childhood slavery in Haiti. Through writing workshops lead by SMP teaching artists and Haitian college students, these young women wrote #OwnVoices children’s stories inspired by their own lived experience. Their goal was to expand empathy for exploited children, create outrage at the injustice, and inspire others to stand up, speak out, and make a change. Their books have been purchased and donated all over the world. Proceeds from RFF titles support new authors and fund future programming dedicated to ending child slavery in Haiti.
Marilene, 14
I am funny, and I think that a lot of people think so, too.. They think that I am a good person and that I have talent. My talent is singing and dancing. To have fun, I like watching TV.
Mwen komik e mwen panse anpil lot moun dako mwen komik tou. Yo konn di mwen se yon bon moun e ki gen talan tou. Talan mwen se chante ak fe desden. Pou plezi, mwen renmen gade televizyon.
Rose, 16
I am a happy person. I love making friends with people who know what real friendship is. I love doing hair and nails.
Mwen se yon moun ke gen ke kontan. Mwen renmen fe zanmi avek moun ki konn sa k' rele zanmi. Mwen renmen fe cheve ak zong.
Lisna, 18
I love going to school because I want to be something in life so I can help my little sisters. I would like to confort others. I like to give people advice that can help them.
Mwen renmen ale lekol poutet mwen vle vin yon bagay nan lavi a pou mwen ka ede ti se mwen yo. Mwen ta renmen vin yon sikolog. Mwen renmen konsole moun. Mwen renmen bay moun konsey ki ka ede yo.
Kathia, 17
When I have free time I like to play guitar, and I love reading, drawing, and painting. I'm really cool and relaxed. When I get older I would like to be a psychologist because I want to help others who've been traumatized.
Le mwen gen tan lib mwen renmen jwe gita, e mwen renmen li, fe desen ak penti anpil. Mwen vrenman koul e relax. Le mwen pi gran mwen ta renmen yon sikolog, paske mwen vle ede lot moun ki twomatize.
Yolencia, 12
I like to read, eat, sleep, and play in my free time. I also have been crocheting since the age of 7. I like to joke around, but I am also shy, and I am a good friend. I think that other people think i'm nice.
Mwen renmen li, manje, domi, ak jwe le mwen gen tan lib. Epi, depi mwen gen set an, mwen konn fe kwoche. Mwen renmen bay blag, men mwen timid tou, epi mwen se yon bon zanmi. Mwen panse lot moun twouve mwen janti.
Recognition & Impact
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