RESTAVEKS (FROM THE FRENCH "RESTER AVEC " STAY WITH ) ARE CHILDREN, SEND BY THEIR - OFTEN VERY POOR RURAL FAMILIES TO STAY WITH FAMILIES IN THE CITIES, ALWAYS IN HOPE FOR A BETTER LIFE. BUT THE REALITY IS BITTER: RESTAVEKS HAVE TO WORK VERY LONG AND HARD FOR THEIR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, THEY DO NOT GET ANY SCHOOL EDUCATION AND VERY OFTEN THEY ARE ILL-NOURISHED. THEY COMPLETLY LOOSE THEIR CHILDHOOD, THEIR DIGNITY AND THEIR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. SOME OF THEM EVEN DO NOT HAVE NAMES. UNICEF ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 300.000 CHILDREN IN HAITI LIVING AS RESTAVEK.