2010, Francia Simon (16), Dominican Republic
Francia was born in 1994 in the Dominican Republic, where she grew up with her Haitian mother and a partly Dominican father, who left them when she was 9. The village where Francia lives is very poor and consists mainly of Haitian refugees who were forced to leave Haiti. Because of this, they live in the Dominican Republic without an official status. This is also the case for the Francia’s parents, who fled from Haiti before she was born. Francia has been fighting for years to improve this situation.
Right to a birth certificate
When Francia wanted to go to secondary school, she discovered that she cannot enrol as she is not in the possession of a birth certificate. Since her father was no longer around and her mother was Haitian, they could not help her. Fortunately, an aunt of Francia could register her, after which she received her birth certificate and could continue her education.
Once Francia learned that every child is entitled to an identity including a name, surname and nationality, she decided to use her knowledge and energy to help other children obtain their birth certificate. In this way, she could help others to get access to education and health care. This also makes children less vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.
Francia’s actions
Inform and help
Francia would go around the doors in her community to inform people about the right to a name and nationality and to ask if they are already in possession of a birth certificate.She would help those who did not yet have this certificate. She guides them through the complex application process and accompanies them to the authorities, so that they can also obtain a birth certificate. It often happens that the judge rejects the request because of Haitian origin, Francia shows that everyone is entitled to a name and nationality. She makes sure that the registration actually takes place. She has helped many children obtain their birth certificate this way. “Because of my age and small stature, they thought they could just send me away, a Chiquita (little girl) like me. But I wasn’t intimidated, I put on a serious, almost angry face, and asked for an appointment.”
Earthquake
Besides fighting for the right to an identity, she also devotes herself to helping Haitian refugees from the earthquake in 2010. She took care of many child refugees who came to the Dominican Republic. She provided them with shelter and organized sports activities and other games for the children to distract them from the acquired trauma.
"A name and nationality are indispensable and a fundamental right for every child."
- FRANCIA SIMON, 2010 WINNER INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S PEACE PRIZE
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