The Child and the Doves

At the center of the poster, a Haitian child captures attention. His appearance reflects the hardships he endures: his tattered clothing symbolizes poverty and the daily struggles he faces. This child represents the innocence and vulnerability of the populations most affected by violence and insecurity in Haiti. As Roberson Geffard noted in an article published in Le Nouvelliste on September 5, 2023, street children have become “fertile ground for recruitment by armed gangs.” They take on various roles, such as monitoring gang operational environments, carrying out kidnappings, and committing thefts, with many actively involved in these armed groups.

The white doves flying above the child are universal symbols of peace and hope. Their presence suggests the possibility of a better future, where peace can prevail over violence.
The child’s gesture, raising his hand toward the doves, expresses his longing for peace and human dignity, despite his difficult circumstances. In doing so, he turns his back on violence, revealing a path of hope and reconciliation.

The Abandoned Weapon

At the child’s feet, a broken firearm left abandoned on the ground draws attention. This powerful symbol represents the rejection of violence and weapons as solutions to conflicts. The broken weapon suggests that peace can emerge from disarmament and the renunciation of violence, whether by individuals or armed groups.

This poster draws inspiration, among other things, from the troubling reality of children being used by armed gangs in Haiti, a topic all too often overlooked. The image of this child, associated with a destroyed and abandoned weapon, reflects a poignant aspect of the current crisis in the country. This inspiration also stems from a striking experience shared by one of our collaborators.

One day, while returning from Carrefour, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, he witnessed a heartbreaking scene in Martissant, a lawless neighborhood in the heart of the metropolitan area, controlled by an influential gang leader. Around 9 p.m., he and his companions saw children aged 9 to 10 crossing in front of their vehicle, carrying automatic weapons.

A police commissioner, a close friend, also shared a similar experience with us. His police station was attacked by children the same age as his own. Deeply affected by this event, he was forced to leave not only the police force but also the country.

These poignant testimonies highlight a tragic reality that demands to be denounced and addressed.

The color palette used in the poster is primarily composed of soft and light tones, with a predominance of pale blue for the background. Blue is often associated with tranquility and peace, thereby reinforcing the central message of the poster. The contrast with the darker tones of the child and the broken weapon highlights the harsh realities Haiti is facing, while also emphasizing the hope for positive transformation.

The slogan at the bottom of the poster, the theme of the Dominican Month of Peace, is a vibrant call for personal and collective commitment to action, solidarity, peace, and respect for human dignity. It invites everyone to actively engage in promoting peace in Haiti, while reminding us that human dignity must remain at the center of all our efforts.

Finally, the dates “December 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025” printed on the poster mark the period dedicated to this month of reflection and action, focused on promoting peace and global solidarity, especially within the Dominican family, in support of a country facing great challenges. These dates emphasize that peace is a continuous process, requiring sustained commitment beyond mere commemoration, while also strengthening the unity of the Dominican family within the Order.