Rebuilding Haiti by listening to children

When Child Helpline International (CHI) establishes new helplines, they target the most vulnerable countries in the world. In 2009, it was Albania, Maldives, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and Togo. But their next endeavor may prove even more challenging: Haiti.

In June, CHI facilitated a meeting between Haitian police and a number of non-profits that aim to serve Haiti’s youth. Despite Haiti’s poor infrastructure and low governmental capacity in the midst of reconstruction from the January earthquake, CHI is operating on their most fundamental value: that everybody has a right to be heard.

Initially founded by a social worker in Bombay, Child Helpline International is an organization that fields 14.5 million calls annually from children in 134 countries. Helplines provide resources and support to children facing, most commonly, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and stigma, domestic violence, suicide, and bullying. Many in developing countries also face abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

To recognize the Indian roots of Helpline, the women’s tee depicts boys and girls faces (note the dot on the girls’ foreheads) arranged into a traditional Indian flower design. The faces are connected by the ears, and their hands join in the center to represent the supportive structure that’s created when understanding is coupled with community action. The men’s tee features a dial pad with a life-preserver on the bottom button.

Support the efforts of CHI in helping children help themselves by purchasing your own eco-friendly tee at OneTribe.com. As always, 50% of your purchase goes directly to support CHI’s programs.

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