peyi lock

Peyi Lock 2022 - What is going on?

It’s been 3 weeks now since Haiti has been on lock again. Between the gang shootings, having no access to fuel, limited access to clean water to only name these, it is so hard to remain hopeful.

This lock is not the first but it seems to have a stronger impact on our team and on the nation as a whole. Rising up against the kidnappings, insecurity, violence and excessive prices, protestors have been in the streets. The fuel distribution station “Varreux” has been totally blocked following the announcement of gas price increase. While these protests are understandable as we are all tired of the corruption of the government and some private entities causing excess poverty, they are often accompanied by violence that have an even more negative impact on the economy. Streets are barricaded and roads are blocked, forcing people to stay in their homes, unable to sell or go to work, and kids can’t go to school. we can feel the weight of the mental toll this is having on the majority of the population. People are fleeing, some leaving the country to find security and for their kids to be able to go to school.

Nobody feels safe in their own homes anymore. Even behind our walls we can hear the close gunshots, in the news we hear more and more stories about gangs taking over people’s houses.

“It’s been 3 weeks now that we are on lock. It is not the first time that we are in this situation but this time it seems worse mainly because life was already so expensive. We are paralyzed to the point where schools and even hospitals are closed. We barely have any water, we do not have fuel. For us artisans, it has been hell. Most of us cannot reach work. There is no public transport. Everything is completely blocked. It’s been such a long time since we’ve been living these situations in Haiti. I can only hope that things will eventually get better Sigh“ Ismaella

For now, we cannot give our opinion on when things will “calm down”. It’s been such a rollercoaster and it is safe to say that we are ALL fed up. While we do our best to remain hopeful, we cannot stay silent on the horrible things happening on this land. As the government remains silent or seems to act like it is well, we will continue to use our voices to inform and educate on what is happening.

We cannot afford to completely crumble under this weight, as heavy as it is, because we know that our HDC family is counting on us. Many thanks to each of you who keep things going for us no matter what through your orders! You keep us working and give us motivation through the highs and extreme lows. We are so grateful for you.

In order to further support, please consider becoming part of our HDC Family

Men anpil, chay pa lou

An update from Haiti

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Hey friends!

Thanks for taking the time to be in this space and support us in the way that you do. I’ve wanted to send an update for a while, but it’s been hard to put words to all the feelings of the situation that continues to cause so much pain and fear in Haiti.

For many it seems the news on July 7th of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse was a huge shock. I was reading so many headlines in the international news and across social media as if this was a heartbreaking tragedy that was out of the blue. I want to acknowledge the pain and trauma that the former President’s family is experiencing- no one should have to live through that. And simultaneously must say that hundreds of families in Haiti, particularly in Port au Prince- in Village de Dieu, in Martissant, in Delmas 32, know this pain and trauma all too well as it has become the norm of day to day life since 2018, but particularly this year.

Leading up to July 7th, we had experienced on-going peyi lock since the summer of 2018. We had experienced a 200% increase in kidnappings; leaving the house with an uncertainty if you would return became the new norm. We saw the remaining infrastructure of a democracy crumble as the current regime laid a path towards dictatorship. We saw already hurting businesses (ours included) take a devastating hit as the currency was so drastically manipulated last fall. We heard violent threats that were acted out from gang leaders as they expanded their control in many areas. We saw innocent lives such as Evelyne Sincere tragically taken from this earth as kidnappings with no consequence became the norm. We mourn the lives of truth seekers such activist Netty Duclaire and journalist Diego Charles who were not afraid to speak out against the corruption. The physical threat of people speaking out in Haiti is all too real- that’s where we are today.

This all needs to be acknowledged because July 7th was not an isolated event- it was the pot boiling over that has been on the edge for a while.

What I’ve expressed above does not at all encompass the layers of political and international transgressions that contributed to the state of Haiti today, but it does give you an honest sense of what’s been happening in our world.

This space, Haiti Design Co, is meant to be one that uplifts and elevates the beauty and talent of Haiti. Sometimes we have to find a balance between doing that and being honest with what’s going on. Over the years in the wake of a natural disaster or political turmoil we have directed people in this space to buy Haitian made products or donate to a specific project of impact in Haiti. And with a heavy sigh, here we are again. How many more of those messages can we share? It’s all been said.

We try our best to stay focused on what we CAN do- creating jobs, holistic employee support, business start up, promoting Haitian made. Yet…. Many times lately it feels futile.

There is so much around us that can make us feel as if we are drowning- so much uncertainty and elements out of our control. But what I know to be true, to be real- is the impact in our little community from these jobs created. I know there’s a lot we can’t fix, but there is a whole lot of good when we focus on what we can fix.

There continue to be light carriers along the way- local business owners who refuse to give up. Those warriors pressing on against all odds- building, growing, and investing in Haiti based businesses and services. Those who refused to let their joy and vision be stolen from the situation and push forward to invest in the impact they can have around them. And also the customers- you amazing beings showing up to support Haiti made and keeping us working during these dark days.

So today I want to thank those heros (well mostly Sheros really). Thank you for giving us inspiration.

Ou pa janm te bag vag 🖤

Below I’m going to link some of my favorite local Haitian-made businesses that I encourage you to support! Another big support to us would be you joining HDC Fam, our monthly contributors that support our holistic employee programs. You can donate once or join HDC Fam below.

Keep carrying the light forward friends! Pa lage!

-Chandler

Co-founder of HDC

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Haiti-Made Brands We Love

PEYI LOCK

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Day 4: TOGETHER IN THE STRUGGLE

“A long time ago, Haiti used to be a prosperous nation in the Caribbean. A few years ago, Haiti wasn’t facing what it currently is.

This year has been full of hardship. Gas shortages. Food shortages. Corruption in the government and private sector- all of this leading to what we call “Peyi-Lok” or a “Country Shut-down”.
Streets are barricaded and roads are blocked, forcing people to stay in their homes- unable to sell or go to work, and kids can’t go to school. For me personally, it’s been really hard. There have been many days when I can’t go to work, and a lot of times the streets are too dangerous to go out. Some days I tried to leave my house but I got threatened and had to turn around, or had things thrown at me while driving my motorcycle.
What’s sad is that when you are at home, you should feel comfortable and safe. But it has turned into something else, because now when you are home you don’t feel those things, instead you feel frustrated, scared, and sad. You aren’t home because you want to be, you are home because you are forced to be by protestors and gangs.
The Peyi-Lok has really affected my spirit, and I feel like I have been traumatized by the things that I have seen, and by the fear I have felt. One time I was on my way home from work and my brother and I accidentally drove into a violent riot- where tires were burning everywhere. We were terrified by being hit by bottles or rocks that were being thrown, we drove like crazy to get out of there. I have had friends that fell victim because of the lockdown. My friend’s father was run over by a car trying to escape from a manned roadblock, I had another friend who was shot after a gang robbed him while driving his motorcycle. They both died because of the lockdown.
More people are hungry. It’s harder to get food when businesses can’t get produce delivered. It’s hard to feel safe at all now, you used to feel like you could call the police if you got into trouble, but now the police are so preoccupied by the situation- it’s like there isn’t enough to go around. Honestly, they probably couldn’t even make it to you in time because of the road situations.
So it’s a hard time in Haiti, but I will say this- Haitians stand together. People are helping each other survive- they share food, they share resources because they know others are going hungry or don’t have money because they lost their job or can’t make it to work to get paid. Haitians are resilient, it’s not the first time that we have had to face such trials as a people, and it certainly won’t be the last. But I always find that we make it through together, we always help each other through it.”

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As we continue in the week of #HDCFam, we reach a core value that is especially important to us during this difficult time, being together in the struggle. Today’s essay was written by Carl Mathiew. Carl is the head of sewing on our leather team. He is also a member of our advanced english class and wrote this feature based on his personal experience of peyi lock.

While this phase has been extremely difficult, it has been a great comfort being able to pull together as a team during this time. When we can make it to work- be with community, commiserate, and do our best to support one another and encourage one another, it reminds us that we really aren’t alone in it all.

And many thanks to each of you who make this opportunity possible for us through your orders! You keep us working and give us motivation for a new day.

To further support our team members in more impactful ways, please consider being a part of HDC Fam.

An Update From The Workshop

Friends and supporters of our HDC community- 

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As you probably are aware if you’ve been following our posts via Instagram and Facebook, we have found ourselves in a particularly challenging and discouraging time in Haiti. The past year there has been continued political unrest that has reached a boiling point over the past few months. Many things are at play and contribute to where Haiti is now, but some of the key factors are a lack of governmental leadership, an on-going fuel shortage due to mismanaged subsidy funds, a sharp rise in inflation, and a lack of proper accountability for elected officials. 

The opposing political parties want the current President to leave, and the population is demanding a change to the status quo in Haiti. This has manifested itself through on-going protests that have immobilized day-to-day activities in the country. While it is difficult to accurately convey the multi-faceted layers of issues coming to a head, and what “peyi-lock” (country lock down) actually feels like, we felt it’s time to stumble through these mixed emotions and anxiety ridden thoughts to communicate with you all what is happening within our own HDC community. 

A population that is already living in very vulnerable conditions, are now facing higher costs for food, staple items, and transportation (when it is available). They are losing their ability to work, and for their children to be able to go to school, not to mention the fear for their own safety in the volatile conditions of the protests and their unpredictability. It has been like this for almost a month, and has happened multiple times this year, to varying degrees. 

Now- every day doesn’t feel like civil war. Some days are calmer than others, and most days it depends on the areas you’re in. For people with resources available- you can stock up on food, water, fuel, and check the reports daily to see what areas are clear and what areas are safe, but for the majority of people, the privilege to be prepared is not an option. Most people depend on their daily income to feed their families that day. They’ve worked tirelessly to pay school fees in hopes of their children receiving an education, and now their kids haven’t been able to attend classes for over a month for their own safety. Schools that have attempted to open and function as normal have been threatened and targeted by opposition protesters. For those that do have steady work- the burden they carry of providing for those around them has gotten much heavier, and their fear of traveling to work safely many days is very real. We had a beloved staff member, 3 months pregnant, that was hit by a rock thrown by a protestor on her way home from work last week. We have many staff members who have walked over 2 hours, around burning tire barricades to make it to and from work. We have mothers with sick children who cannot get them to the hospital due to blocked roads. We’ve had artisans go without eating because of their inability to buy food, due to a lack of available cash, because the banks have been shut down for over a week.

We are hungry for change, but we are desperate for peace too. Many people have reached out asking how we are doing, it’s a difficult question to answer. We are struggling. We are tired. Our spirits are sad, and angry, for the injustice and corruption that led us to this place, and our hearts are broken for the further suffering of many people who’s load was so heavy from the start.

But we keep moving forward; we choose optimism, and truly, what other choice do we have?

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We are committed to contributing to the Haiti we want to see in 50 years. We pray for change; we dream of security, education, and economic opportunities for our children, but all prayer must be accompanied by action- So we are doing our best to stay focused on the tasks ahead one day at a time, and we are grateful for the signs of hope Haiti gives us each day. 

Your orders give us hope (truly they do!). Fellow business owners, street vendors, and most employees keep doing their best to show up; pushing forward against what seem to be insurmountable odds. This encourages us to keep moving forward as well, and the thing is, we all have no choice but to show up- so many people are counting on us. Many have reached out and want to know how to best support Haiti during this time. Here are some ways we need you to stand with us-

  1. Buy Haitian Made:

    We cannot stress enough the importance of supporting Haitian businesses at this time. Every single Haitian-made product you buy is employing a team that is providing for many families. On average, each of our employees is supporting another 7 individuals. Due to the on-going crisis this year, so many local businesses are suffering and having to lay off employees. Christmas shopping season is on the horizon- please think of Haiti when you are purchasing. Here are a list of a few of our favorite companies you can support: 

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2. Promote Haitian Made:

Encourage your friends, family, and local retailers to buy from Haiti. Is there a boutique or online retailer that you love and think would be a good fit for our products or the brands above? Please tell them about us! Do you have friends fundraising for certain causes that need wholesale product to raise funds? We would love to make products for them, and many of the brands above provide product for fundraising as well. 

3. Support our Education & Wellness Programs:

These programs are vital assets in supporting our artisans’ families in the heavy load they carry. You can become a monthly donor or make a one-time donation, and your support it is so appreciated. Your support provides daily lunches, quality health insurance, contributions to our artisan savings program called “Save For Tomorrow”, financial gifts to our artisans during emergency situations such as this, monthly educational seminars, and group wellness activities. 

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Thank you for your support, friends. We have endless gratitude for each of you!

Much love,

-The HDC team

And to our friends in Haiti, this message was shared by a friend of ours and we feel is an important message to relay- 

Nan moman kote lavi a pi difisil pou ou, chèche anndan w, nan kè w ak nan nanm ou tout enèji ak fòs pozitif pou kenbe, pou jwenn lajwa pou mete nan kè w ak souri sou vizaj ou.

Jodi a sitiyasyon Peyi a kapab koz anpil stress, depresyon ak tèt fè mal. Chèche fè tout sa w kapab pou ou pa efondre: Bay blag, fè lekti ki ka entèresan, jwe ak timoun yo, jwe ak zanmi w, menm si w ap tande nouvèl men tande mizik ak emisyon ki kapab relakse w. Fè espò, detire kò w, chase fatig kò a epi detann lespri a. Pran swen kò w, pran swen lespri w.

Jodi a Peyi a enstab, gen boulvès, men sa pap rete konsa. Nan mitan stress ak tristès, fè tout sa w kapab pou viv tandrès ak alegrès.

Rete byen fèm!

From by Evanise Louis via Tara Livesay