Sleeping in Haiti

In Haiti, the way people sleep can vary greatly depending on where they live and their financial situation. In rural areas and poorer communities, many families sleep on thin mats laid directly on the floor or on simple wooden frames with no mattress. A bed might be shared by multiple children or even the whole family, especially if space is limited. In homes with more resources, people may have mattresses—often worn but cherished—and mosquito nets to help protect against bites during the night.

Electricity is unreliable in many areas, so people often go to bed early and rise with the sun. Cool breezes through open windows or the hum of a battery-powered fan are the only relief from the tropical heat at night. Despite the challenges, rest is sacred, and people do what they can to make the best of their sleeping space—sometimes with just a thin foam pad, a woven mat, or even a pile of clothing as a pillow.

The variety in where and how people sleep in Haiti reflects the resilience and resourcefulness of the Haitian spirit, always making do with what they have and caring deeply for one another.