Hope for Haiti – Chantrelle’s story
Chantrelle Paul, a volunteer cook for Mary’s Meals, talks about the impact of gang violence in Haiti and the hope she has for her children’s future.
Chantrelle Paul is a volunteer cook for Mary’s Meals, helping to prepare and serve meals to the children who attend Verena II Primary School in Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince. She has two children, age 16 and 11. Walker, age 11, attends the school where he receives Mary’s Meals.
Verena II School is situated in the Delmas 2 area of Port-au-Prince – an area controlled by gangs. In September 2023, the school was caught up in fighting by rival gangs. As one gang tried to hide in the school grounds, another gang attacked, resulting in shooting in the playground and school buildings being set on fire.
In this interview, Chantrelle talks about the impact of gang violence on her family, and the hope she has for her children’s future.
Mary’s Meals: What you did when you heard of gang violence happening at Verena II School?
Chantrelle Paul: I was at church on the day the school was attacked. I immediately ran to get the children, and when I arrived, I saw they were fine. I was crying and my younger son said: “Don’t worry. I heard the shooting, and I just hid. God was protecting me. So don’t cry mum.”
As we walked back home there was still shooting going on and rocks were being thrown from everywhere. But every time I got worried, my children helped and encouraged me. I feel blessed that my children are strong, but it’s not easy. Most of the children in the area are afraid – this is the reality we are living in.
How is gang violence impacting your family and the children that attend Verena II School?
I used to rent a small business space in Delmas 2 where I sold second-hand clothes. I don’t know who did it, but the shop was destroyed, and I lost everything. Later, two rival gangs clashed in the area, setting fire to everything and murdering the residents. We had to move as we feared for our lives.
We’re now renting a place in Maïs Gâté and I’m trying to sell clothes from my house. But it's no longer a good business. Only the people who know I am there come to buy things. I can’t make good money anymore.
When the school was located in Delmas 2, my sons had to walk through areas where gangs operated, and it was really stressful. After the shooting, the school was closed for two months and was forced to relocate to a new site in Maïs Gâté, opposite to where we now live, so I’m less stressed.
But I know this means that other children have to leave their areas to come to the new school, which is really dangerous for them.
How does Mary’s Meals’ school feeding programme discourage children from joining gangs?
When meals are served at school, children come to school. When there are no meals at school, the children stay on the streets, where they get caught up with what’s happening there.
The fact that my son, Walker, eats a meal every day at school is a blessing. If I don’t have any money, I don’t have to think about what’s going to happen because I know he is going to eat a good meal at school. The meals are one of the best things that Mary’s Meals could have ever done for me and my family.
My oldest son would like to open an orphanage when he’s older – somewhere children can stay off the streets and receive an education. My youngest wants to be a footballer, and to be better than Ronaldo! But I’m too afraid to send him to a football club. The main thing for me is to keep him in school so he can get an education. I tell him if he wants to be a good footballer, he has to learn.
Finally, what are your hopes for Haiti as a country?
Haiti is not a bad country. Haitians are good, happy people. We don't need much. We are happy and content with just the minimum. But to become a better country we need good decision-makers and governors.
I believe that one day we’ll have a better Haiti. I might not see it and my children might not see it, but I believe my grandchildren will.
Steph Bungay is our Content Officer and works with our partners to share the stories about how our work supports millions of children around the world. She recently spoke with mothers in Haiti to highlight why school meals play a vital role in keeping children out of gangs.
Read an article about how 15 years after the catastrophic earthquake in 2010, food is a major incentive preventing children joining gangs – giving hope to Haiti.
It costs just £19.15, €22, $25.20 USD or $31.70 CAD to provide a child with school meals for an entire school year. Learn how the promise of a daily meal at school enables the children we serve in Haiti to receive an education and avoid getting caught up in gang violence.