Malya Villard-Appolon
An account of sexual violence cases have increased dramatically over the years after the earthquake in 2010, which killed over 200,000 people and shifting nearly 25% of Haiti’s population. Malya Villard-Appolon has experienced these reports herself, being raped twice, and her 14 year old daughter being raped in a displacement camp. "There is nowhere safe where I can live...”-said Malya Villard-Appolon, supported by many bystanders and victims. By creating camps and places for homeless women to live and sleep, Malya Villard-Appolon has created an environment that is not only safe for women, but younger children who are experiencing the inhumane acts of rape.
All around the Islands of Haiti, women are being raped, and left to fight for themselves and a possible baby on the way. With unsuitable living conditions and unsanitary water to drink from, the streets of Haiti can be a harsh place. Malya Villard-Appolon is fighting for these women, by providing shelter with food and sanitary water. But how is this effecting Haiti?, and what has is the effect of Malya Villard-Appolon’s organization?.
By creating an organization named KOFAVIV, Malya Villard-Appolon has given women a place to live and to regenerate all that was lost, with food, sanitary water, shelters, and a place where you can somewhat establish a new life. As a cofounder of the KOFAVIV, Malya Villard-Appolon watched the organization smash to the ground when the earthquake hit, she managed to regroup with what’s left of the founders, and pull through to recreate the KOFAVIV. “Despite the escalating violence and the loss of its clinic, KOFAVIV regrouped to help victims by providing food, water and shelter in Haiti's "tent city" camps, in which about 500,000 people still live today.” But what about shelter and places to grow and regenerate? Malya Villard-Appolon has helped these people by giving them a place where they have food and sanitary water to drink from, all in all a safe place. In giving safety and support (food & water), KOFAVIV and it’s cofounder, Malya Villard-Appolon have been working to give women support and and safety so they can stay off the street and also training so they don’t have to sell themselves for money. “KOFAVIV and other groups are working to help young girls and women, giving them safety, support and training so they can make money and not have to sell themselves.”What is the effect of this though? In this quote, it shows how all the resources being given are helping women in need of shelter, food and water. In doing so, Malya Villard-Appolon has created an environment that is safe and provides all three components, food, shelter, and water. But in what ways are these problems effecting Haiti?
What is the effect of the rise in reports of sexual violence? A reporter from Haiti, called this act dehumanizing as for he believes that it degrades his country and makes them look like every citizen of Haiti are such animals. "The conditions are so dehumanizing. Over months and months, it increases all forms of violence, including sexual violence.”. What are some other effects? Calling Haiti a degrading country due to the amount of rape reports is probably an accurate statement. One of the effects that this had was the disbelief in others own country, and feeling that there country has nothing left, basically they believed there was no more hope for their country and this was a problem. Malya Villard-Appolon spent half a year in the dangerous camp named “Champ De Mars” she said this is where she watched everything deteriorate. "I spent six months witnessing it," she said. "Babies are not spared; adults are not spared; mothers are not spared; sisters are not spared." What has been the effect due to the regrouping of the KOFAVIV organization? Seeing the camp “Champ De Mars” deteriorate Malya Villard-Appolon knew it was time to act, she saw people being raped and what would happen to the baby if they made it through birth, and if they were, they wouldn’t make it due to no one had any money after the earthquake that hit in 2010. But what has happened so far, after Malya Villard-Appolon and other co founders regrouped to to recreate the KOFAVIV organization?
What has is the effect of Malya Villard-Appolon’s organization? As a cofounder of the KOFAVIV organization, Malya and her colleagues have reduced the amount of rapes in all of haiti by an astonishing 4,000 rapes but now take a moment to think about all that we could do if it was more than just one organization. “Rape cases in 2010 (after the Earthquake leaving many in camps) was at an astonishing 1,000 rape reports in only 22 of the 800 camps but now, take a moment to think of all of the camps combined, now in the year of 2012 all of those camps combined have decreased in the rape crimes by 4,000.” But other than that what has happened other than the amazing amount of decreasing rape reports? In the decreasement of rape cases, this is a result of the regrouping of the KOFAVIV organization and how they came together out of their own will. What can we wish for the future, although there has been a massive decreasement in the amount of rape cases, can we hope for a bigger decreasement or is that too much? Well what does Malya think?"My dream is that we will get to a place where we stop talking about the number of rape cases. We will stop talking about Haiti as a country where people are committing violence against others. One day, we have to be able to say that we have a country with people who respect each other." And can we stop rape crimes for ever? Malya Villard-Appolon dreams for a place where we do not need to worry about others being attacked and raped or a place where we are discussing this exact topic, a place where you can be safe and live with your family and live as a community. By doing so, can we prevent rape all over the world, but how will we do this?
I believe that we can make this world a better place by creating organizations much like the one that Malya Villard-Appolon, as shown in this essay, how successful it is and what are things we can do to help. Malya Villard-Appolon and her organization are a great example of heroes, they have shown all things needed to help people who are powerless. Now it’s our turn, how can you help?
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