Derchine's Story: Haiti Children Film their Story -- Save the Children

Up to 90% of Leogane, Haiti was destroyed by the earthquake in January 2010. Most of the town still lives in tarpaulin tents that flood when it rains and overheat in the sun. Many children suffer from nightmares and are still trying to cope with the loss of best friends and family, and the distress of things they saw.

Six films were produced and directed entirely by the Haiti children — Jean,11, Derchine,13, Olwine,13, Manoushka,15, Sophia,16, and Nenel,17 — some of whom have not been able to speak about their experiences before.

"The film-making has become an important part of the healing process for the children involved. Children in Haiti often don't feel able to talk properly about the pain they are suffering, as nearly everybody here has lost somebody. Working as a film crew with other children who really understand what they've been through has given them the space to speak honestly and openly, often for the first time," Save the Children's Sarah Jacobs, said.

"When you are covering such a huge disaster the individual stories can be lost," said Emma Murphy, ITV News correspondent who worked with the children. "This project lets you see what life is like in Haiti now. What makes it so special is the resilience and enthusiasm of the children. They are desperate to tell their stories their way so that no one can forget about Haiti."

This film project marks the first time Save the Children has incorporated film-making into its emergency response to help children recover from the trauma, isolation and grief of such a disaster. The project forms part of our child protection work in Haiti. Save the Children is also running 'child friendly spaces' across the country, where trained staff organize activities for children to help them cope in the aftermath of an emergency. Activities include sport, dance, music, and now film, to encourage children to play and interact, while promoting a sense of normality.

The children will continue to make 'video diaries' in the coming months, recording both high and low moments in the year after the quake.

Find out more about Save the Children's work in Haiti at: http://www.savethechildren.org/emergencies/latin-america-caribbean/haiti/eart...

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