Haitian Street Kid's Hope - Wilner Story

Wilner Story

Ten years ago, Wilner St Fort, was begging for food and change on the
streets of Port au Prince Haiti. He was one of thousands who live day by day in a
unchanging harsh environment. Living in a hell, not of his own choice. He was a
street kid. The neglected abused children of Haiti. One day while sleeping under a
car next to the tires, the unaware driver entered the car and started the engine.
A screeching cry could be heard from blocks away. The vehicle had run over both
Wilner’s legs. The driver speed away. He was alone in pain abandoned by his
parents and left to die on the streets. But that wasn’t the end for Wilner St Fort.
With all the strength and courage he could muster he prayed to God to save him.
He curled himself into a corner and laid in the same position for two days.
Miraculously he walked away to fight another day. He eventually landed in a
orphanage where he was sheltered for the next five years.
Today he runs his own make-shift orphanage located in the upper hill of Port
au Prince. He treks to Belle Fontaine every other day to bring food and clothing to
the five street kids he has taken under his wings. His wish is to build a shelter for
his orphans and to bring more kids from the streets.
Wilner is just starting his orphanage and is looking forward to meeting more
sponsors in the near future through the non-profit organization, LOVE GIVE HOPE.
This group is also producing a documentary based on his life that is set to released
late 2009. He hopes that his story can bring those who are compassionate to his
cause, the Haitian street/Slave children. His hopes, dreams and faith are
captured in this documentary.

Child Slave, Wendell's Song (16 years old) Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Wendell's Story

Wendell, a 16 years old blind (Restavec) slave child is working on the streets begging strangers for money for his master.
He had been on the street for most of his life. His story is one that is remarkable for his self endurance yet tragic at the same time. His tale is common amongst the street kids of Haiti.

This teenager boy was a regular on the streets. He sings songs about his desire to have a mother and father to provide for him.
He is a very nice and intelligent boy. He sings very well and plays the maraca to accompany his vocals. Wendell mentioned that originally he had a guitar but it was stolen from someone one day. Someone asked to play it and he promised to give it back but just walked away with the guitar.

Wendell has no family but this one woman who is his master. He calls her 'aunt', but shes not related to him at all. Early in his childhood he was sold to his aunt who resides in the slums and she taught him to beg. Hes been working for her since.
Day to day Wendells out there singing for any spare change he could get from the public and then she would then collect the money after hes worked all day.
He's always barefoot because she doesn't consider shoes a necessity. 'Aunt' feeds him once per day and lets him sleep in the back of her house where people would urinate and defecate. Wendell's home is in one of the absolutely worst areas of the slums. Its is in the most violent and dangerous area of Cite Soleil, named La Saline.

Later in the day our film crew took Wendell to our hotel room to give him a quick shower and a bite to eat. He seemed anxious and wished to return to his street corner so he can beg for money. He didn't want to get in trouble with his owner.

From Documentary 'Haitian Street Kids Revisited'
A Young Man Kang Film