Haiti: Political Instability and Economic Crisis, How Do Summer Vacations Unfold?

With the closure, since the end of June, of more than 87% of the country's schools, to quote the Director General of MENFP, the summer season is already kicking off with great fanfare, despite political instability, security fragility, and economic problems. This period gives rise to a whole series of activities generally organized during the holidays. Already, many preparations are well underway in certain regions of the country where a glimmer of stability still prevails, despite the meager resources available. Aside from the metropolitan region, which is more than 85% controlled by armed groups, several communes located in various regions of the country are preparing to organize guided tours with groups of young people. Football tournaments, domino championships, gastronomic and artisanal fairs, beach days, juggling contests, marathons, and spelling bees, among others, will be organized to stimulate young people and offer them a minimum of leisure. The Great South Steps Up After several attempts by armed gangs to expand into the commune of Léogâne, and despite persistent rumors, the people of Léogâne are preparing to attend the holiday championship of the commune's clubs and also to participate in other activities that can enhance the splendor of the summer season within the Léogâne community. "Léogâne will be in the spotlight once again for the holidays," confided a leader of one of the most renowned football clubs in the commune. The same applies to the city of Jacmel, known for its macramé, puppetry, painting, and embroidery workshops organized for young people during the holidays. The gathering is also maintained on the beaches, particularly at Raymond-les-Bains, Civadier, and Amitié beach located in the heights of Kabic, for seaside days, usually enlivened by various activities. "We don't yet have the necessary means, but many activities are planned," according to the statements of Casec, Fénélon Austin, an influential member of a commission in charge of preparations for the Mont Carmel festival and the grand championship of Cayes-Jacmel. This patronal festival and that of Saint-Dominique in the commune of Marigot are among the biggest gatherings where pilgrims and vacationers from the region meet each year. At a time when the country is on the brink due to political instability and the deteriorating security climate, some believe that everything has come to a halt and that no activities can be carried out. However, far beyond this perception, the country still breathes, and provincial towns, through cultural and social activities, continue to send signals of hope. This was recently observed in the North of the country, specifically in Cap-Haïtien, during the Bicolor Festival. Having Fun with Very Little The socio-economic situation remains precarious: the country is unstable, many state institutions are operating slowly, armed gangs impose their law, the high cost of living weighs heavily, and several other problems persist, leading one to believe that the summer period will be gloomy and go unnoticed. Yet, far from this idea, calendars of activities are being organized and clashing. Considering the heavy burden of insecurity in the metropolitan area, displaced children, mostly from neighborhoods plagued by armed group violence, will undoubtedly have great difficulty finding healthy entertainment during the summer holidays. Some people interviewed on this subject believe that the central state administration, via the Ministry of Youth and Sports, should organize socio-cultural, educational, and sports activities to support children from displaced families. Jacques Innocent