For you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace…. Isaiah 55:12a
Partnership for Peace
Where is peace needed in our community?
A Prayer for the Haitian Community
This young woman was born in the United States to a Haitian mother and an Ivorian father. At the Caribbean Festival, she bowed her head in prayer–not only for herself, but for the Haitian community facing an uncertain future.
In recent weeks, approximately 350,000 Haitians have faced the loss of their legal protection to remain in this country. Many are parents raising children who were born here. Many are homeowners who pay taxes, employees who contribute to their communities, and healthcare workers caring for aging Americans. Behind the numbers are real people, families, dreams, and years of building a life in a country they call home
Her prayer is a reminder that what is happening is not simply a political or immigration issue. It is deeply human. Living with the constant uncertainty of whether you will be allowed to remain with your family, keep your home, continue working, and safely go about your daily life creates a profound burden. What this community needs now is peace, compassion, and understanding. We need to recognize what prolonged fear and uncertainty can do to a person’s emotional and mental well-being–and remember that behind every number is a human being deserving of dignity, stability, and hope.
Photographer: Carline Jules
Jules is a mother, a gardener, a teacher, and community activist from Haiti who has lived in Durham for 30 years. My hope for this world is for everyone to belong no matter what your background is. Peace be with you!