Full Breakdown
Capoeira Classes Launched to Counter Violence in Haiti
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Initiative
An association in Haiti has begun offering capoeira classes—an Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends dance, music, and self-defence—in neighborhoods where armed gangs are active. The program is intended to reduce community violence and aid social reintegration by providing a structured, culturally expressive outlet for participants of all ages.
Background and Context
Haiti’s security environment has deteriorated over recent years, with rising gang activity and frequent clashes contributing to a climate of fear in many urban areas. Community-based interventions have been limited, prompting non-governmental groups to explore alternative approaches to peacebuilding.
Key Figure
Rodney Jean Marc – founder of the association that runs the capoeira program. He established the initiative to make the classes accessible to anyone, including children who have been recruited into armed gangs.
Official Statements and Responses
Rodney Jean Marc explained that the organization’s doors are open to everyone, emphasizing inclusion of youth involved in gang violence. He described the classes as a means to teach discipline, teamwork, and cultural pride while offering participants a constructive way to channel energy that might otherwise be directed toward conflict. The association has not disclosed formal partnerships with government agencies, and no official response from Haitian authorities has been reported in the source material.
Why It Matters
If successful, the capoeira program could demonstrate a replicable model for using arts-based activities to mitigate violence in fragile settings. By targeting children entrenched in gang networks, the initiative seeks to interrupt cycles of recruitment and foster long-term community cohesion, addressing a critical gap in Haiti’s broader security and social-rehabilitation strategies.