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Haitian orphan once enslaved prepares for life in college

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 12, 2006

FORT LAUDERDALE - A Haitian orphan, whose claims of being a servant for a wealthy South Florida family exposed a cultural practice rooted in Haiti's poverty, says she hopes her story will inspire other victims of abuse.

Williathe Narcisse, then 12, told police in 1999 that she was beaten, enslaved and raped by the 20-year-old son of a Pembroke Pines couple who had smuggled her into the United States three years earlier to be a servant, according to court documents.

"I can't forget what happened to me. I don't know why they tortured me. I'm not going to dwell on it," said Narcisse, now 19, who was the salutatorian of her graduating class Saturday from the Life Skills Center of Broward County.

"I'm not the best role model, but here is a little advice: Never give up on yourself," she said in her address to the class.

Her case drew attention to the practice in Haiti's countryside of "restavec" - meaning "one who stays with" - in which a child works in exchange for a room, meals and possibly an education.

Narcisse and her mother had performed similar work for Marie Pompee's relatives in Haiti.

She now has a four-year scholarship to study journalism and broadcasting at Broward Community College and Florida International University.

"I'm very proud of myself," Narcisse said. "I just wish my mom was here. But I know she's in heaven and she's proud."

Marie Pompee was sentenced to six months in federal prison in 2004 after pleading guilty to illegally harboring the girl. Her attorney, Martin Roth, said Friday that she never abused Narcisse.

"My impression always was that Mrs. Pompee really loved the child and tried to do the best for her," Roth said.

[Last modified June 12, 2006, 05:42:56]