On the last Saturday in January, high schools across Haiti treat their seniors to a special day out, filled with philosophical debates, presentations, and fun.

For the 13 seniors at Grace Emmanuel School, this year’s “Philosophy Holiday” proved extra special given the multiplying troubles all around them.

On Friday, December 22, the students of Grace Emmanuel School gathered together for what many consider to be the best day of the school year: the annual Christmas party.

Rampant insecurity continues to trample on the ambitions of every young person in Haiti, no matter how hard they work. Clersaint, 24, has felt this acutely.

If you were to compose the soundtrack for this past year in Haiti, you might fill it with dissonance and minor chords, making it unsettled and dark. Portions might even sound like a child’s banging on the piano, void of any rhythm or structure or beauty.