Plan putting play back into the lives of Haiti’s children

Plan putting play back into the lives of Haiti’s children

Amid the debris and devastation caused by the recent devastation in Haiti, groups of smiling children can be found in Plan's ‘games clubs’. This crucial psychosocial support gives the youngest survivors of the earthquake a break from the relentless misery of life in shattered Jacmel, south Haiti. Plan Ireland is an independent child-centred development organisation with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.
The group of smiling children at play wouldn't look out of place in any schoolyard around the world - but in earthquake ravaged Haiti, it's a rare sight. As they play pass the parcel and hide and seek, it is possible, just for a moment, to forget the horrors that the quake has bought to their streets.
Plan staff member Stuart Coles said the play sessions are a vital part of helping children to overcome the trauma of living through a natural disaster."
"All of these children are still living on the street because their families' homes have either been destroyed or they are too afraid to go back inside," he said.
"When we invited the youngsters to the play session they were a little nervous and quiet at first but after a few games they started chatting, laughing and for a moment, forgot the horrendous aftermath of the quake.
"After half an hour or so of play you could see the ones who were still holding back or getting upset, usually these are the children the aid workers will offer counselling too first."
Experience in previous disasters has shown that a child who has been through a major shock needs a sense of normality returned to them as soon as possible.
"Part of that routine is to create safe spaces where they can enjoy supervised fun and games," added Stuart Coles.
"The routine also helps the parents to return to some level of normality. Plan adopt a whole-family approach to trauma rehabilitation. If the parents are coping well then the child will have a much better chance of making a full recovery."
On January 20, another vital aid shipment from Plan supporters containing 4,000 tents and more than 300 family survival kits docked at the Haitian coastal town of Jacmel.
Plan staff have worked in Haiti for more than 35 years and have been assessing the immediate needs of the population. Plan currently has projects in the following areas: Beudet, Cayes-Jacmel, Croix-des-Bouquets, Dolney, Fort-Liberté, Frères, Jacmel, Lavallée, Ouanaminthe, and Trou-du-Nord.
Support Plan Ireland's Haiti Appeal on 1800 829 829 or www.plan.ie