As thousands continue to flee Haiti due to escalating violence, political unrest, and economic instability, one American-born woman is choosing a different path — not away from the chaos, but toward it.
Rebekah Antoine, a public health professional and registered doula from South Florida, is moving her entire family toHaiti — the country she has always called home in her heart. In an exclusive interview with CBS 4 Miami, Antoine shared her reasons for the move, her vision for the future, and the deep sense of purpose guiding her bold decision.
“I’ve always felt that my soul belonged in Haiti,” Antoine says. “Now is the time to plant roots — not just for my family, but for the families I’m here to serve.”
Antoine holds a master’s degree in public health from Florida International University and has recently accepted a position with Mama Baby Haiti, a nonprofit committed to improving maternal and infant health in northern Haiti. The organization provides midwifery care, education, and support to Haitian women — work that resonates deeply with Antoine’s professional and personal mission.
While many might question a move to Haiti during such a volatile time, Antoine sees urgency and opportunity in being present. With U.S. immigration policies in flux and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians under review, she believes that supporting Haitian families from within the country is both a calling and a responsibility.
Her husband, who works remotely, is fully supportive of the transition. Their children, already enrolled in school in Cap-Haïtien, will move alongside them. To help ease the cultural shift, Antoine has taken time to teach her children to speak Haitian Kreyòl — ensuring that language will not be a barrier to belonging.
“We’re not just relocating — we’re reconnecting,” she explains. “My children are learning not only a language but a heritage. A way of life.”
The family has already purchased one-way tickets. Antoine plans to make the move once her children finish the school year, stepping into a new chapter of life at a time when so many are closing the door behind them.
Her story is not one of naïve optimism, but of intentional courage — a reminder that even in the most uncertain times, there are those who choose to build bridges rather than borders.
As the world watches Haiti with concern, Rebekah Antoine is walking toward it with purpose.
