Because We Are

Ten-year-old Libète navigates the harsh realities of Cité Soleil, one of Haiti's most notorious slums, where survival often trumps justice. When a brutal crime rocks her community and authorities show little interest in pursuing answers, this fierce young girl teams up with her resourceful friend Jak to uncover the truth. Their investigation pulls them deeper into a dangerous web of corruption that spans from street-level gangs to powerful institutions, testing their resilience and threatening everything they care about. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Haiti's social and political turmoil, the story explores themes of poverty, violence, and the extraordinary courage required to seek justice in a broken system.

Bahni Turpin delivers a masterful performance that brings authenticity and emotional depth to every character, particularly capturing Libète's determination and vulnerability with remarkable nuance. Her voice work skillfully navigates the story's cultural complexities while maintaining the narrative's urgent pace across nearly seventeen hours of listening time. Turpin's ability to convey both the brutality and beauty of Haiti creates an immersive experience that makes this challenging subject matter deeply accessible to listeners.