Internationally-renowned top model and actress Molly Sims today launched a new youth center for street children in Haiti’s capital, Port-au Prince. PSI built the center with money donated from H&M’s last years 2008 Fashion Against AIDS campaign. More than 1500 young children will benefit from the services provided at the center in its first year alone, with thousands more expected to benefit in the future. While the large majority of these children are those currently living on the street, many are children locally known as “restaveks” – young boys and girls sold into domestic slavery by desperately poor families in need of cash. “It is heartbreaking to see so many young girls and boys suffering in a country just a few hours away from my own,” said Sims, an Ambassador for PSI’s child survival program Five & Alive. “I realize how incredibly fortunate I have been in my own life and I feel humbled to be able to work to share that good fortune with others.” Through its strong partnership with community based organizations and local NGOs, PSI/Haiti will provide clinical health services and education at the center, including reproductive health services and HIV testing and follow-up support. Haiti’s HIV prevalence rate is at epidemic proportions, with more than 200,000 people suffering from the disease – it is the highest HIV rate in the entire Caribbean region. Street children and “restaveks” are among those most at risk for the disease as both groups are often regularly mistreated, abused and exposed to violent and life-threatening situations like sexual abuse. PSI/Haiti has been working in the country for 20 years, helping to improve the health and well-being of people through programs in HIV prevention and treatment, reproductive health services, malaria prevention and child survival programs, such as safe water solutions and nutrition. The opening of the new youth center will allow PSI/Haiti to reach even more people in need of such services. “I did not have any hope in my life, but since the arrival of this new project for Haitian Youth I am confidant to have a better future,” said Farmara, one of the young Haitians who will benefit from the center. Added a friend Jordani, “Since the creation of this center, I see a peaceful future because of the small business training I’m willing to learn.” H&M has long been committed to raising awareness about HIV prevention and treatment. It has twice partnered with Designers Against AIDS on the Fashion Against AIDS campaign, which brings together well-known designers, musicians and artists to create fashion collections with 25% of the sales price going to the cause. The funds raised from the 2008 campaign will continue helping children at the center through the efforts of PSI/Haiti and its partners. -source PSI.org

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