Hope in Haiti

In a recent post, I shared with you this journey I have begun with Trades of Hope, empowering women out of poverty. What an honor and a privilege it is to be their voice, to represent them and their beautiful products. When we shop, host and Join we help these women to maintain a sustainable income to provide shelter, food, medical care and an education for their families and communities. Today, I am sharing what we are doing in Haiti.

Last May, a team of Compassionate Entrepreneurs went on a Vision Trip to visit the artisans in Haiti. They were able to meet Gina and visit baby Christnelle in the nursery. The experience allows us to see first-hand the direct impact that they are facilitating by selling Trades of Hope products.

Erin Woods, CE with Gina and her baby, Christnelle (pictured).

Trades of Hope works with the Apparent Project and Papillon Enterprise, Heartline Ministries, Three Angels Children’s Relief as well as steel art artists.

 

The Haitian Steel Art is developed out of used oil drums -- of which Haiti has a surplus. The art medium originated when Haitians tried to make something to mark their loved one's graves. Today, Haiti Steel Art is a part of Haiti's culture and is improving the lives of families.





Years ago, Heartline Ministries in Haiti started a sewing program that was designed to give women an opportunity to create beautiful bags and provide wells for their families. Over time, Heartline continues to focus more and more in the direction of maternal health and the sewing program has been run by a young woman from Texas, Chandler Busby. Chandler and her husband are now ready to take the sewing program officially under their wing and transition the group of artisans into it's own ministry. Trades of Hope has been working with this group of women since 2013 and our Gifts of Hope program has been able to help them get on their feet. A financial gift has been given to help them with relaunching costs and supplies.

At Three Angels Children’s Relief, we meet three school girls sponsored through the sales from Trades of Hope, girls who will have a future because they are getting an education and we meet the women in the artisan program who are learning new skills and crafts to provide for their families. 

At the Apparent Project, we meet with Shelly Clay, who in 2007 came to Haiti to adopt an orphan and stayed when she discovered the child’s parents were living and still wanted her, but they simply could not afford to care for her. She was a relinquished child. Shelly and her husband started this non-profit to enable mom’s to keep their babies. They began with six artisans, teaching them to make jewelry out of recycled cereal boxes, and now employ more than 300 men and women in jewelry making, sewing and pottery crafts, providing an income that is twice Haiti’s minimum wage.
Trades of Hope was their first wholesale partner, and we continue to be a huge part of the change for Haitians and the crisis of relinquished children. All of the Haiti Signature products are made by this group, which is nicknamed the “Unorphanage.”

The Haiti jewelry shown here is made of recycled cereal boxes! Half of the beads are clay, half are recycled cereal boxes made into beads.




Watch this video from Shelley at the Apparent Project (two of our founders make an appearance at the end!): 








For more information or videos, see My Trades of Hope

Thank you for your purchases which are making all of this a reality!