Lakay

Haiti is a land of great beauty and rich culture, but it’s also been plagued by corruption and poverty. Author David Frederick remembers a happy childhood growing up in picturesque St. Marc, Haiti—until the day he and his family had to flee following a brutal massacre in 2004. Lakay: A Journey of Struggle, Perseverance, and Hope, leads readers through glimpses of the author’s life in Haiti amid growing social unrest and government corruption as well as his life as a new immigrant to the United States. Frederick shares stories of the many obstacles he overcame while still holding onto hope. And after a return visit to Haiti, the author reflects on the current state of his native country and calls on this generation to be a force for change.

Those who grew up in Haiti may vividly remember some of the places and events discussed in this book, but even non-Haitians can still envision themselves moving along the same road the author has traveled because, at the end of the day, we have all traveled this road. We may not all come from the same place or end up at the same destination, but we have all shared moments of suffering, fear, hope, setbacks, and triumph. We all wish to live in a peaceful and prosperous world.