Stories from the current crisis in Haiti: Words from Mona

The crisis in Haiti is still ongoing and we are not yet able to be able to see the light. While we remain hopeful that things cannot possibly stay this way, we cannot hide the hurt we feel each time someone from our HDC family is directly affected by these inhuman acts and by the general instability. We have reached out to many of you for support and the response has been so heartwarming that it gives us the strength to keep going. But the work is not over. We feel like it is important to put names and faces behind these stories. It always seems non-urgent until there is a face attached, for us this is extremely personal and terrifying.

Today we want to share the words of Mona, our HDC mom and kindest woman. Mona is a wise and loving mother, always looking out for the needs of those around her. Mona makes the best pikliz and is always dressed in her Sunday best. For months now, Mona has been unable to go back to her home…

Here is what she has to share:

“One day I went out to go to church. Everything seemed ok, but that day I could not go back home. Everything I tried to get home was failing. I saw many people running around. I couldn't understand what was going on until I saw a man who told me I would not be able to get home today. My phone started ringing non stop and people from my neighborhood were warning me that I should not come home. Gangs had taken over the area and many were endangered.The worst is that it was happening behind my bedroom! I called a HDC employee and was able to stay over at their place. I was then able to speak with Chandler and she gave us the opportunity to sleep at the workshop. This is causing me a lot of pain and a lot of stress. To this day, I still wonder what will happen if I go back home. There are rumors saying they are coming back. Everything is uncertain...” - Mona 

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

A few thoughts on our dear Haïti

Hi friends! Many of you have been concerned about the situation in Haiti. Some reach out and send words of encouragement. We are so thankful for this continuous support and are forever grateful for the family that we’ve acquired through these years.

As much as we would love to write this to announce that things are now better and that all is well at our workshop, it is not yet the case. Right now, kidnappings and gang violence are creating an atmosphere of fear and terror. Countless families have been obligated to flee their homes because of non stop gunshots in the area. More privileged ones have been able to flee and start a new life elsewhere. Gas shortages, burning tires, inflation, and overall uncertainty about the future.

Our summer series is dedicated to bringing light in the midst of darkness this summer. This doesn’t mean that everything is always shiny and bright for us. We often experience discouragement. We often feel like things are moving backwards. We often feel exhausted to have to send you these messages with no real good news.

However, we also cannot afford to give up. No matter how difficult things are, it is not only about the brand and products. It is about families, about people who have been able to build their homes through the jobs your support is still creating. It is about the courage of our artisans who go to the workshop as soon as they can to keep the work going. It is about our responsibility to keep Haïti alive no matter how small our contribution is. It is also about the children watching us and being inspired by the way we face today’s challenges.

Life comes with ups and downs. In Haiti, we’ve experienced more downs lately but this wont keep us from doing the best we can with what we have. We also want to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of our heart for all of your support and the faith you put in us. Until we have better news, we will continue to provide quality Haitian made products while sharing the blessings of our day to day.

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!

More than just a box...

There are no words to describe the situation here in Haïti. In the last few months, things have taken a turn for the worse and we find ourselves constantly needing to find new ways to keep going, to keep hoping. We do this by remembering our “why”, by encouraging each other mutually and making sure we do everything in our power to keep business going.

Ever since Haiti Design Co has been created, our goal has been to not only create unique and quality products, but also to connect to buyers to the stories and faces behind each piece. The maker’s box has been our way to do just that. Each season, we curate products you will love in collaboration with Haitian artisans to help develop and grow their own businesses. Through initiatives like the maker’s box, we have been ale to keep artisans employed and hopeful by not only providing jobs but also by reminding them that people are still thinking about Haïti and still value our art and talents.

My name is Maggie Joseph and I started working with HDC when we began the VAK branch in O Cap. Before getting this job, I was always in a situation where I was constantly obligated to take out loans, but since having a steady job with VAK, I have never had to borrow money- which is very empowering. I would love that our customers know and realize what a difference they are truly making. There are so many women in my neighborhood that watch me go to work every day, and they often come to the workshop looking for a job. Every product our customers have purchased have given so many people steady jobs that help support their families, and every product they will buy in the future will give even more steady jobs.

Maggie - Spring Maker’s box 2018

To us, it is more than just a box. It is a way of keeping the hope alive in a time where it is so easy to get discouraged. Our moto has been the same from the start, “Men anpil, chay pa lou” and will remain the same till the end because we firmly believe that it takes many many hands to keep going.

“Working with HDC betters our lives, and I want everyone to see how we represent our country in the products we create.” GERALD - LEATHER TEAM

Spring, for many, is the symbol of hope and we believe that this spring 2022 maker's box is a great way to empower Haitian entrepreneurs and support Haïti in this dark time. As we ship out this season’s boxes, we want to invite you, friend and supporter, to learn more about these boxes and join our many other faithful subscribers.

We strive to keep the light on even in this season. We have faith that, with hard work, positivity and love, we can move mountains.