By Miami, Florida
May 2025
While thousands of Haitians continue to flee the violence, gang control, and political instability that have plagued their homeland, one South Florida woman is taking a markedly different path—returning to Haiti with her family to help rebuild the country she considers home.
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Rebekah Antoine, a Miami-born public health professional and registered doula, is preparing to relocate permanently to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, with her husband and children. Despite the country’s current turmoil, Antoine says her decision is driven by purpose, heritage, and a deep emotional connection to her ancestral homeland.
“I don’t want to live in this climate,” Antoine said, referencing the U.S. social and political environment. “Despite everything happening in Haiti, it’s home. I’d rather be home and make home better instead of being somewhere where my people and I are not welcome.”
Antoine’s sentiment echoes the experience of many in the Haitian diaspora who long for a return to their roots, but it is especially striking at a time when Haiti is facing one of its worst crises in decades. Armed gangs have taken control of large portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the collapse of political leadership has left much of the country in chaos. Still, Antoine remains undeterred.
“I had to reflect last year—Port-au-Prince is not getting better any time soon—but I gotta go back,” she explained. “I start to feel frustrated with the situation and I’m like I need to go back and I want to help.”
Antoine, who holds a Master of Public Health degree from Florida International University, has secured a position with Mama Baby Haiti, a nonprofit organization dedicated to maternal and infant health. Her husband works remotely, which allows him to continue his career from abroad, and their children are already enrolled in a local school in Cap-Haïtien.
“I have taught them Haitian Creole. They speak, they read Haitian Creole as good as you can as a Haitian American,” she said proudly.
Antoine has planned her move around her children’s academic schedule, waiting until the school year concludes. The family has already purchased one-way tickets, signaling the seriousness of their commitment.
Antoine’s decision also reflects broader concerns about the future of Haitians living in the United States. With the Biden administration facing pressure to revise immigration policies—and the possibility of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) being rescinded for Haitian nationals—she believes it’s critical to strengthen Haiti’s ability to care for returning citizens.
“With what happened with Trump, if all these people are going to be sent back, we need people there capable to receive them and provide care,” she said. “Pregnant women are going to get deported.”
Her words are a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing Haitian immigrants, especially women and children, and the lack of infrastructure in Haiti to meet their needs upon return.
Antoine is candid about the risks, but says fear is not enough to stop her from answering what she sees as a calling.
“Bravery is not having no fear, it’s doing something in spite of fear,” she said.
Her family’s journey defies conventional wisdom during a time of deep crisis in Haiti, and underscores the powerful pull of identity, responsibility, and hope. As many look to escape the hardship, Antoine is stepping into it—determined to be part of the solution in a country she has never stopped calling home.
