Located in the rural communal section of Jean Rabel, in Haiti’s Northwest Department, Puisée is a small, isolated farming community where most families depend on subsistence agriculture and must cope with chronic food insecurity, poor road access, and limited public services. For decades, residents have faced institutional neglect, particularly in education, health care, and infrastructure. Yet Puisée is also known for its strong community solidarity, local leadership, and longstanding involvement with ATD Fourth World; these partnerships have helped the community mobilize around issues of dignity, rights, and development.

This year’s World Day for Overcoming Poverty was marked in Puisée in a particularly meaningful way, once again confirming the families’ consistent commitment to ATD Fourth World activities, especially October 17. The night before, it rained nonstop, and on the day itself, the heavy rain continued from morning to evening. Amid a torrential downpour, 300 people gathered to call for an end to the extreme poverty imposed on them by their status as isolated farmers and to the social and institutional maltreatment they face daily. On this day, they reaffirmed their right to equal dignity, as proclaimed in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Despite these challenging weather conditions, the large turnout in Puisée shows how deeply this day matters to the community. The commemoration is significant for those who tirelessly work to overcome extreme poverty.

“October 17th is our day; no one should stay at home. No marketplace, no farm work. Our place is here.”

Madame Alma during a meeting in preparation for the October 17, 2025

The program featured:

• A collective testimony highlighting the forms of social and institutional maltreatment suffered by those who are most vulnerable, emphasizing the marginalization of Puisée residents by state institutions. Community members also spoke out about the municipal school inspection office’s refusal to follow up on the request to nationalize the community’s only small school, built by the community with support from ATD Fourth World.
• Four powerful songs, including one titled Haiti chéri, expressed the farmers’ deep attachment to their country. Another song, Tèt ansanm (think together), highlighted the strength that comes from unity and the belief that by coming together, people can overcome poverty. A third piece, Modernization, reflects a new approach to farming inspired by Saint Jean’s methods and has already shown promising results. The final song, titled Si nous voulons développer (If we want to develop), spoke of the personal sacrifices each individual must make to contribute to their community’s progress.

The commemoration also included four dances and four short plays. The plays portrayed scenes of social and institutional maltreatment, and stories of people living in hardship who come together to transform their community and improve their living conditions. Despite the relentless rain, the dedication shown by those who took part demonstrated a profound commitment to protecting and affirming every person’s dignity.