“Sel pa vante tet li di sale.
Salt doesn’t boast that it is salty.”
In honor of Mother's day we at Haiti Design Co-op would like to applaud all of you humble, hard working, patient mamas out there. You never clock out, you are working hard to put your kids through school, keep bellies fed, and you go with such little recognition. You are the salt of the earth.
We see you. We love you. We appreciate you.
You, mothers, are simply AMAZING.
Today we would like to spotlight just a few of the incredible mothers from Haiti Design Co-op. Their fierce love for their children is inspiring. We did a little Q&A to get an inside look at their dynamic relationships with their children.
Meet MADAM CARMELLE & ISHMAELLa
What is the most rewarding part of being a mother?
Having a daughter that I consider a friend. She is my best friend and companion. She is so important to me. She always takes care of me and I can count on her when I am weak or have problems to be there for me.
What is your favorite part about working with your daughter?
She encourages me to try things that I don't think I can do. She is very patient, and understanding. I love being able to work with my daughter and embroider together, it is my favorite time of the day.
Ishmaella is the only daughter of Carmelle. Carmelle has worked very hard to put Ishmaelle through school and she even recently graduated from law school. Carmelle beams with pride when she speaks about her. Carmelle and Ishmaella work together to create our embroidered message banner.
meet darlene & collins
(Collins got in trouble for playing with scissors in the sewing room, so he wasn't too thrilled for this photo)
what is your favorite thing about your son?
He really loves me. He is affectionate and always tells me I'm beautiful and gives me kisses.
What is your favorite time of the day together?
I love when we walk together to drop him off at school in the morning and afternoon. I also love helping him do his homework at night. I'm so proud of him and what he is learning.
Darlene is our assistant sewing manager. Every day she picks up Collins from school and he gets to hang out with us for a couple hours at the workshop. He is always busy running around, drawing, or creating swords with stacked thread spools.
Meet Wideleine & her sons, Widens & Luchiano
how are your boys unique and different from each other?
Widens is much more serious than Luchiano. He is the oldest and is strict on rules. He is very independent and has a big imagination. He is very content playing by himself and creating stories with his little cars and toys laying around. He always tells me one day he is going to work and make a lot of money and he will always take care of me. Luchiano, or "Lulu", is very affectionate and clever. He loves being around and engaging with people. He always wants to give kisses and hugs.
What is your favorite time of the day with your boys?
I love getting them ready for school in the morning, taking care of them when they are sick, and praying with them at night. I love being able to take them to school, church, and playing with them in the afternoons. I love them so much.
Meet Yvetta & her kids, Peterson, Wislen, Yvens, and niece Cherline
what is your favorite part about being a mom?
I love being a mom because my kids have respect for me. They appreciate me and the work I do to take care of them, I love that about them. They are good kids.
What are your favorite activities to do with your kids?
I love when we can hang out on weekends and play, tell jokes, take photos, and go to church. I also love praying with them at night.
Wideleine, Yvetta, and their kids have been with our Haiti Design Co-op family since the beginning. They are hard working women that have overcome many struggles. Yvetta is the only one of her 12 sisters that can write her own name, and today she has 4 healthy, intelligent kids doing wonderful in school. Despite some extremely difficult beginnings, Wideleine has fought hard to bring her family to where they are today. Wideleine now serves on our Community Development Committee and takes care of many other girls in her community going through hard situations.
Yvetta and Wideleine are best friends and think of each other like sisters. They have worked together for 6 years and seen each other through so many ups and downs. We are currently fundraising to give Yvetta and Wideleine the opportunity to own their own land and homes.
If you would like to support them in this exciting and meaningful way, please donate below. Your help will be contributing to a purchase that will impact their families for generations to come.