The Institute for Human and Community Development (IHCD)

latest news

Rescue IHCD: A Crowd Funding Campaign

300,000 children in Haiti live in slavery. Thousands find freedom and hope for a life of their own at IHCD. Save this award-winning institution from closing!

Haiti’s Restavek Epidemic

Excellent reporting by Karen Keller and Jennifer Weiss on Haiti’s restavek phenomenon and the impact on children and families living within it, with associated video featuring their interview with IHCD founder Nicole Cesar.

Hero of the Hemisphere Award

IHCD founder is named 2010 Hero of the Hemisphere by the Pan American Development Foundation for “creating an oasis for the youngest victims of abuse, violence, and exploitation”.

our schools

Kwadèbouke

The IHCD school in Kwadèbouke, Port au Prince, provides a holistic program for children aged from 6 to 19 years old.

Fondeblan

The IHCD operates a sister school in Fonteblan providing vocational and health eduction for 125 young women.

Our Students

Many of our students are “restaveks”, children forced to provide domestic labor in exchange for shelter. Deprived of their freedom, education, sufficient food, and basic healthcare, these children are victims of institutionalized slavery, severe societal stigmatization, and terrible suffering under inhumane treatment by abusive host families.

read their stories »