City Soleil is a shantytown where the people live in extreme poverty in Haiti. The city has become poor as its history of rebellion and conflict extorted its economic power. This part of the city today is experiencing extreme poverty and hunger, unemployment, formation of armed gangs, violations under violence, as well as various diseases.
However, despite the poor environment, the daily lives of the children on this land is an interesting one. This is not their choice but what they are born with. Human beings can indeed adjust to their environment but one can nurture the courage to face it through learning. Saying no to their destined environment and learning continuously by dreaming for a better tomorrow, it was their passionate heart for learning that made it possible. This is the narratives of the children who prevail in hunger but in sincerity.
a Light in the Darkness
City Soleil is a small village within Port-au-Prince in Haiti. However, unlike its name “City of the Sun,” it seems as though there is only a glimpse of light remaining. The city has become poor as its history of rebellion and conflict extorted its economic power. What is more, because its people were not able to have proper drainage system, homes were crammed with unfiltered waste and sewage. Overall, today City Soleil is experiencing extreme poverty and hunger, unemployment, formation of armed gangs, violations under violence, as well as various diseases. For this reason, the United Nations has announced City Soleil as one of the most dangerous villages of the world. To one’s surprise, the majority of the population in City Soleil consists of children; that is, 65% of its population is under the age of twenty-five. Wherever you turn your eyes, you will see children in this little village–children who are familiar with living amidst trash and pigs. The children in this village are exposed to poverty and violence; they watch and learn from the adults, following their footsteps. They may have not chosen or expected life such as this one. No one does. This is not their choice but what they are born into.
Eager to Learn
For the past four years, I have been observing this environment and kept a diary of the narratives of its children; I have found something extraordinary in their lives. The children of City Soleil were passionate about learning. Although many were living in critical conditions, there were schools here and there for them to learn. They lacked in many ways, but they were able to dream and hope for a better future through learning. I thought to myself, ‘Human beings can indeed adjust to their environment, but one can nurture the courage to face it through learning.’ Saying no to their destined environment and learning continuously by dreaming for a better tomorrow, I believe only learning has made this possible. I bow my head when I step into their place of learning.
a melody of Hope
The UN left and the police stations crumbled into ruin. The gangs declared war and the people..they die in the midst of their relentless shoot-outs. The sound of gunfire had become a cruel melody in their ears. Last three years, a small voice in my heart grew louder and wilder: 'Can we talk about hope here?' That is when I heard the gentle whisper, a quiet but sweet melody. It was a melody that resonated through the impenetrable darkness—sound of children calling out for another day, that there will be a better tomorrow. It was indeed a melody of Hope.
a Grandmaster
As COVID-19 swept through the world, the carnage of over a hundred dead people of this city was a direct result of gun shots, not a pandemic. Grandmaster Jo had poured everything in his life into Taekwondo. The spirit and the virtue of Taekwondo changed the minds of the children in this city. Frantzdy, an exceptional student of his, now dreams of becoming such a grandmaster. Although this boy's reality has no promised future, the teachings of the grandmaster are engrained in his mind. Dreaming that someday he will also be someone who gives courage to another, a glimmer of hope is captured.
