Letters from our artisans - Boss André shares his experience

We all know how the crisis in Haiti is affecting the population in general. Gang violence, gaz shortage, barely any tourism, people having to flee their homes, kidnappings and more. While these things are all over the news, there are thousands of individual stories that also deserve to be heard. We have taken the time to check-in with our artisan leaders to know how their team is holding on. We will be sharing some of their responses here on this journal to invite you in and give you a better idea of how our teams are doing.

Today we are sharing Boss André’s response on how the situation is affecting him and his team.

How has the current situation in Haiti affected your business? Are people still able to come to work daily? How have you had to change how you do business?

Most of our customers have left the Country, especially foreigners who were our biggest supporters. We do not have much demand. Some craftsmen and I live very far from the workshop. The main road we have to take to get there is under the control of gang leaders so we have to watch when there is a clear road (of course it depends on the bandits) to take advantage of going to the workshop. We are forced to separate into two groups: those who live around my house work in my house and those to whom the workshop is more accessible work in the workshop. In this case I always leave the workshop open in case I can't get there myself

We have almost reached our goal for the amount needed to keep offering shelter to some of our artisans. Every gesture counts in helping us move towards that goal. Thank you! Anpil lanmou pou nou!

THE HAITIAN AMERICAN SERIES: YVE CAR

Welcome back to the Haitian American Experience series. With everything currently going on in Haiti, we wanted to create a safe space for authentic conversations and we are conscious that the diaspora cannot be left out. This series has started with the goal of hearing different perspectives about the current situation and how the diaspora could offer sustainable short and long term solutions. We will also of course dive into some more personal topics in order for you to learn more about our features and their unique personalities.

Enjoy!

Hi Yve-Car! How have you been?

Lately, I’ve been pretty overwhelmed by what’s happening in Haiti. I think often about what our impact looks like when the country is experiencing so many issues. But nonetheless, I remain hopeful, especially when I receive messages from our Tribe asking how we’re doing and ways to help and support. And of course, knowing what the Kreyòl Essence team is going to accomplish balances it out.

When did you move from Haiti to the US?

Although I was born in the US, I moved to Haiti shortly after my birth and lived there until the age of 5. But I always went back for every summer vacation and time off.

Tell us more about yourself your interests and the work you do.

I consider myself a social entrepreneur! I hold a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Rutgers University and started my Master’s at the University of Pennsylvania and went to complete it at Cornell University in International Development with a focus on rural agriculture. I currently work as the CEO of Kreyòl Essence, an agribusiness that creates natural and ethical personal care products in Haiti to the world.

How would you describe your passion for Haiti?My passion for Haiti is obsessive. And it’s not accepting that the country's current predicament is indicative of its future.

How is the current situation affecting you right now?

The current situation in Haiti is affecting me deeply –production, farming, and hiring all can’t function consistently. It’s also impossible to bring retailers and partners to see the beauty of Haiti which leads us to telling the story of Haiti in a different way.

From your perspective, how can the Haitian Diaspora contribute to short term and long-term change right now?

Short term, I would love for the Haitian Diaspora to keep buying from Haitian companies, this helps keep them afloat so they can keep paying their staff and feel motivated despite the situation. Each purchase is a vote to the Haitian entrepreneurs to hang in there!

Long term, we need to reimagine our political system –civic and political engagement is the greatest way to contribute change. The problems we’re currently experiencing are not just based on someone elected in office.

How do you do your part? (It's also ok if right now you don't know yet how you do your part. You can be transparent about that)

I do my part by making sure that Haiti is still on the national scene for more than its challenges through our partnerships with Ulta Beauty, Whole Foods, and JC Penney Salons just to name a few. Though, I wasn’t always a believer in NGOs being the answer to Haiti’s problems, this holiday season, Kreyòl Essence is looking at different organizations doing great work and taking care of Haitians in Haiti to donate proceeds from our Holiday sale to. They need that encouragement as well.

If you could give a word of encouragement to Haitians grieving for their country right now, what would it be?

I love this quote by Tony Robbins, “Good times create weak people. Weak people create bad times. Bad times create strong people. Strong people create great times.” I truly believe that there’s something we’re supposed to learn as Haitians that we can use to change the conditions around.

A little Haiti QnA

Favorite spot in Haiti?

Wahoo Bay! There’s a specific room I always goto that overlooks the ocean, it’s my safe space to go to for calm.

Favorite Haitian meal?

Diri kole ak tasso an sòs

Favorite Haitian alcoholic beverage?

That’s a hard one –but I'll go with 5-star Rhum Barbancourt.

Haitian item we will always find in your house?

Great question, first and foremost, lwil maskriti, followed by a varitety of Haitian art and hand-beaded Haitian purses.

3 Haitian businesses you love and support

There are so many to name! But Rhum Barbancourt, Ayabombe, and Haiti Design Co!

A popular Haitian dish you do not like 🙊

Mayi Moulen.

Favorite Haitian proverb and why?

“Dèyè mòn, gen mòn" because it expresses the ideaof humility and challenge. This reminds me that things are often more complex than what meets the eye.

Haitian song you will never get over?

Ayiti Se by the legendary Mikaben.

Make sure you follow along their journey and learn more about this Haitian empire in the making!

“Short term, I would love for the Haitian Diaspora to keep buying from Haitian companies, this helps keep them afloat so they can keep paying their staff and feel motivated despite the situation. Each purchase is a vote to the Haitian entrepreneurs to hang in there!”

— Yve Car

Partner Highlight: MADE GLOBAL

Five years ago, I started Made after seeing the incredible impact that social enterprises (like HDC) were having in Haiti by providing people jobs with fair pay + many other provisions. They were people first businesses, understanding that if a business can only survive by unfair payment and treatment of employees, the business model is not working. Even further, it was after realizing that over half of the world’s orphans still had parents who were unable to afford raising their children, even though many had full-time work that I started to dig further into how we can be a part of creating work that opens the door for families to stay and thrive together.

The more I became exposed to the important conversation of ethical fashion, the more I dreamed of bringing something to my city —Williamsburg, Virginia. I wanted Williamsburg to have a place to purchase fair trade and ethically-made goods while getting to know the people who made what they’re buying. I wanted people to realize how connected we are and to shop in a way that honors our connectedness and celebrates the stories.

So, I bought a few pieces from talented artisans I knew in Haiti, and I hosted our first pop-up at my favorite local coffee shop. Then, we started selling online, continuing to partner with new groups all around the world who were making quality and stunning pieces, sharing their stories and inviting people to shop differently —considering the story that started before them. From the beginning, we have wanted to open our own brick and mortar shop, but I knew we needed to grow slow and take our time. I had a lot to learn, as I had only non-profit experience and hardly knew anything about running a business. A few months ago, we signed a lease on our first space which will hopefully open by next spring. My goal with the shop is to create a space that invites people to consider the stories behind what they buy through purchasing, our workshops, book clubs and other educational opportunities. It has been a journey and I am loving it.

There are three thing I love most about what I do: One, I love getting to tell good stories — and I get to do a lot of that. I absolutely love sharing with someone about who made what they are considering purchasing, helping people to see the story that started before them.

Two, I love watching people change their shopping patterns and habits to make space for better living for others. When a customer tells me they are buying less so they can buy better, it is a good day.

Three, I love seeing what people make and celebrating it. Buying, selling, sharing, and getting to support good employment is an absolute joy.

I met HDC years ago through the non-profit I work for, Wings of Refuge, Inc. We would bring groups to visit and a few of the teens in our program interned for HDC during the summer months. Over the years, Chandler, Josh, and Fabienne have been amazing at connecting me to the work

A few of our current favorites — my whole team has and loves the Julienne bag. A few customer favorites — the black essentials crossbody bag, keyfobs, the Cheri necklace, and the scrunchie fanny pack.

Why is buying ethically important to you?

Simplified, because people matter — more than anything. I want my decisions to make life better for others, those I rub shoulders with here in Williamsburg, and those I may never meet. Shopping ethically is not a luxury; it’s believing that people are worth fair wages no matter the cost.

One of the reasons I started made is because I want to be a part of creating a world where fair and safe employment is the norm — where a child doesn’t have to grow up in an orphanage because their mom can’t make enough at her full time job + where child labor really is something of the past (not just in this country).

I think sometimes we think fighting for justice requires huge grand gestures, and while it might sometimes, most days it can look like choosing to be intentional about where we spend our money. Because EVERYTHING has a story that started before we bought it, and we get to choose what stories get worn, represented, and told over and over.

Brands I love at the moment:

I am a huge fan of Known Supply and all that they stand for. I love their commitment to sustainability in every sense, from fair wages to organic materials. Anchal Project in India is another favorite that I will carry more of in our shop. I love the way the women combine traditional methods with fresh design. As far as what I wear, it is mostly all secondhand, thrifted around town or from Poshmark, with some ethical brands woven within.

“Shopping ethically is not a luxury; it’s believing that people are worth fair wages no matter the cost.”

— Holly Webb

Partner Highlight : BONJOU Boutique

September, Higlighting our Partners Month. We are thrilled about this series. Our partners have been such a crucial part of our survival and growth and we don’t have enough words to express our gratitude towards them for their trust. Most of our long term partners have been there from day one or not too long after that, visiting our workshop in Tabarre, spending time with the artisans and getting to know their stories. Beyond the products, we have shared laughter, good times and memories. Throughout the years we have built strong and lasting relationships. We are so proud of them all and are so in love with their work.

Without waiting longer, here are our first guests, Jean-Paul and Alexa from Bonjou Boutique

Jean- Paul and I met in 2010 and, though our communication was minimal + required some charade playing due to our language barrier - we became friends. In 2011 I (Alexa) had the opportunity to be a part of the formation of Wings of Refuge Inc., a non profit that is giving life to families in Haiti through partnering with locally led movements. Jean Paul was then asked to be a part of the Wings of Refuge Children’s Home team a short time later. For over seven years we served alongside Wings of Refuge Children’s Home and were blessed to be a part of the lives of 32 incredible kids (now mostly young adults - which makes us feel old!). Somewhere along the way we fell in love, got married - though we wouldn’t recommend taking the route we took. We faced many uphill battles as a couple due to our cultural barriers, language barriers, opinions of family, friends and coworkers... but we persevered by God’s grace and a few key people in our lives. In 2019 we made the difficult decision to move stateside and in January 2020 we welcomed our sweet baby boy Jayden into the world. To this day, our family still serves as part of the Wings of Refuge Inc. team here in the states with its impact on our lives being invaluable.

We started dreaming up Bonjou Boutique shortly after we got married in 2017.

We knew we wanted to take some of the generosity friends and family showed us at our wedding and invest it back into our Haiti home. We felt the best way to do that would be through a small business that showcased the beauty that comes from Haiti by partnering with social businesses we personally knew, loved and trusted.

Bonjou means “good morning” in Haitian Creole. It’s the first thing we say to each other when we wake up and we love the sense of light and newness it brings! #bonjoucheri

“We created Bonjou Boutique as a space for you to create change through the purchase of socially responsible and ethically made products from this little island we called home for so long. ”

— Alexa

We had been fans of Haiti Design Co. for years - we shopped there, took teams there (for Mona’s famous breakfast burritos and workshop experiences). As our non profit worked towards reunification, HDC gave two of our kids internships. In 2018 I had the opportunity to work for HDC for about 6 months before our family moved. So, of course, in 2021 when we finally decided to turn Bonjou Boutique from a dream into a reality, we had to partner with HDC when we were designing our original collection.

Our Polo Dopp Kit and Lex Toiletry Bag were some of the first pieces I had the opportunity to collaborate with Chandler and the team at HDC on and to this day they are two of my favorite pieces.

Why is shopping ethically important to you?

Shopping ethically isn’t a magical switch you flip one day, they are daily choices we make knowing there are people behind the products we buy. Start small, do your homework and be intentional.

Other ethical brands we love -
@made_global
@papillonmarketplace
@avanticoffeeco

Whether you’re recently engaged, tying the knot, becoming a first time mama, making a house your home, or simply celebrating the season you’re in, we want to bring a little piece of our island home to you.

Caribbean Craft sharing Haiti's colors with the world

Magalie is a woman of too many passions and talents. The CEO of Caribbean Craft has a true love for her county and seeks to CHANGE THE NARRATIVE. Continuously promoting the talents and hidden treasures of Haiti, exposing them to the world. Teaming up with the top motivated designers in and outside of Haiti, the best web designers and marketers, bloggers and writers, merchants and vendors that woman shakes the world to better shape the future of her artisans.

With her driving attitude and no nonsense mindset she is a pillar in the Haitian crafts sector and one that only seems to grow more ambitious and eager to see her country come out of its shell and show its true, vibrant colors to the world. Her favorite saying

“ Haiti might be in your heart but Haiti is in my hand the hands of each and every Haitians”.

Magalie is among these few believers and fighters for a bright future, possible for Haiti and it will be written by its creative minds.

 
It was such a pleasure to have her share these memories with us for the third feature of our series Lavi an koulè! Her vibrant spirit is just what this summer is all about.

Why did you start Caribbean Craft?

Putting people to work is of a paramount importance in the critical task of rehabilitating our struggling country, and we consider it an honor and our duty, as citizens, to participate, at our level.

What is your favorite summer memory as a Haitian kid?

It is so difficult for me to choose just one and hope you will forgive me for sharing my top 3 favorite memories. If I close my eyes and think of my summer memories as a child the first thing that comes to mind is:

the bike rides in les Cayes. With my cousins we would tour the town delivering gallons of milk from my uncle farm. We would spend of course extra time wandering around .

The second is the scary story telling nights were we would all gather and the older kids with some adults will share the stories about the Haitian legends. They would keep us up late at night.

The third is our Sundays at the beach: my parents would take me every Sunday for that ride to the north coast and we would spend the day swimming ad floating in the ocean I also like a little monkey enjoyed climbing the trees and step away, find my solo time and read a book up there on the tree observing the world from above.

What is your favorite fruit/food to eat in the summer ?

The summer fruit that I would look forward to every summer is the KENEP . Like grapes I would enjoy that sweet and sour fruit with that constant fear of swallowing the seeds as the adults would tell us if you do you will die!

What is one thing in your life that keeps you vibrant ?

The joy that everything little things brings me. I am a very passionate person they call me the woman with too many passions and it is true from gardening to hosting, caring for my girls. cooking reading ,yoga , traveling dancing working designing I love every single aspect of my life and that keeps me glowing .

How are you planning to incorporate more moments of joy in your life this summer through your business and daily routine? 

First of all I plan to spend more time with my family. A woman who can keep her family happy and united is a true inspiration now a days. Slowing down and going back to the basics that’s what I will do this summer. I also intend to spend a lot of time finding ways to address the needs of our artisans life has gotten so hard for each one of them that I must find an outside of the box solution to be at service to this community.

MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW THEIR WORK ON INSTAGRAM. DO NOT FORGET TO GIVE THEM A FOLLOW AND SUPPORT BY SHARING WITH FRIENDS!