‘’NEW HORIZONS"
On July 7, 2021, late President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in the middle of the night in his home in Haiti. Since then, gang violence has ravaged the country, particularly within the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians have been victims of this historical humanitarian crisis, forced to flee their homes, many now separated from their families, their communities, and the lives they once knew.
To this date, nearly 700,000 Haitians have been internally displaced, and as of 2023, approximately 185,300 have migrated to the United States.
No one chooses to leave their home unless they have no other choice.
Now living together in a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia, the story of the four Duterrier siblings is a resilient narrative the journey of young Haitian migrants striving to build a new life in a foreign place. United not only by familial ties, but also by their collective strength and their dreams of a better future, they represent the story of thousands of Haitians who have had no other choice but to leave their homeland.
Three Haitian siblings share a quiet moment in their Atlanta home after a long day working at Amazon. Balancing demanding jobs and familial responsibilities, they exemplify the resilience and determination of many immigrant families seeking stability in the United States. Aug 20,2024
Kemuel Sam Duterrier sat on his bed with his piano and thought while I chatted with him August 20, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.
Two Haitians of Kadmiel's friends at his home July 17, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.
The eldest, Ketsa-El Duterrier, who balances her role as wife and sister, lives with her husband and her three younger brothers.Daily,they face the challenges of life in America. They all work at an Amazon warehouse, a demanding job that requires 50 hours a week and physical endurance. Every paycheck goes toward rent, groceries, savings for an uncertain future, and toward supporting their parents, who remain in Haiti. Their routines, once filled with the comforts of home, are now marked by early workdays and late nights, learning English, navigating complex immigration policies, and building a new identity. Some days, they struggle to survive.
.Ketsa-El Duterrier in front of her Amazon job gets picked up by her brother after work August 20, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.
Kadmiel Duterrier in front of a liquer store August 21, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.
Two of Kadmiel's friends at his home July 17, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.
But for Ketsa-El and her brothers, this is more than just about meeting their basic needs. It's about establishing a foundation that will allow them to pursue a life no longer constrained by fear. . Kemuel Sam Duterrier, the second eldest, dreams of becoming a computer engineer, while Kadmiel Duterrier and Ketlex Duterrier hope to pursue higher education. Despite what they have experienced, their unity as siblings remains their greatest strength, serving as a grounding force, especially when the obstacles seem overwhelming. Together, they are focused on their long-term goals, determined to create lives that are not only secure but meaningful.
Kadmiel Duterrier leads a service at a Haitian church on Youth Day August 22, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.
Kadmiel Duterrier share a moment of camaraderie on the balcony of their shared home in Atlanta. These gatherings offer a brief escape from their demanding routines, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural connection far from their homeland. August 17, 2024.
Photo of a decorated table after a birthday party August 20, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.