Haiti, Home Away From Home
2010 was a pivotal time in our lives. We watched as the lives of hundreds of thousands in Haiti altered in seconds when the ground beneath their feet shook violently, the roofs above them fell, and the walls collapsed. As news reports flooded in, the stories I heard throughout the years of my youth while growing up in Florida of the lives of Haitians who had fled for an opportunity in the States came flooding back. That of desperation, a willingness to swim ashore through shark-infested waters, like the family of Elian Gonzales from Cuba, I had pictured groups of individuals who fashioned vehicles into boats and took the few belongings that might make the trip, and prayed heavily that they would make the long journey alive to the United States where they could try to apply for refugee status. Farmers, skilled artisans, chefs, childcare providers, and families of beautiful people seeking a life of education and happiness.
It now seems so long ago, and yet yesterday that I look back on the past baker’s dozen years I think of Haiti as a home away from home and of the family and friends that I have filled my heart with. I have so many memories. So much love, and so much heartbreak. Haiti is a country with rich history, full of victories and tragic losses. If there is a summation to provide the best, it could be said that Haiti is a place where balance is seen every day. There are miracles on display every day, and when a life comes into the world a loss also takes place. We see that every day in Haiti.
I read about some damage to a guest house due to the earthquake on a blog written by the Director of the Haiti Foundation Against Poverty, Mallery Thurlow within the first few days of the earthquake. The school she sponsored also sustained significant damage. The wall securing the school had fallen on the kitchen, damaging it. I decided I could try to help this organization. My Hearts for Haiti campaign began.
I eventually joined the board of Haiti Foundation Against Poverty, and my paintings directly benefitted this organization for nearly ten years via direct sponsorship for kids at the school and with children at the créche, Hope House. The organization expanded by opening a women’s program, Gift of Hope by
partnering with Herman Miller Furniture, through their Herman Miller Cares, an international and corporate giving program. Gift of Hope receives their extra and scrap bolts of fabric to create bags, clutches, wallets, and other items that provided an opportunity to open creative space, a boutique in Haiti for tourism and visitor sales, and fulfillment, as well as a second boutique in Midland, Michigan and the opportunity to sell items online and at pop-up’s allowing Haiti Foundation Against Poverty to bring in revenue to support parents, preventing poverty orphans. The pillars the organization promotes are Education, Empower, Employ.
The organization continues to grow! They have expanded by taking on the coffee farm Mallery’s husband Frentz Neptune grew up on. The couple married in the process of all of these years passing, and they have two sons. This beautiful family is a powerhouse, and the work they do together is honorable. I have been proud to be a part of it! Avanti Coffee is grown in the mountains of southern, Haiti in Chambellan. It is all organic and the purchase of this coffee is directly supporting the coffee farmers and the economy of the southern peninsular areas of Haiti that were directly impacted by hurricanes that have ravaged these regions. Please consider looking into Avanti Coffee as an investment for your morning Joe! They offer subscriptions and have medium and dark roast and you can purchase a sampler set to give it a try!
I’m thankful for the time I spent partnering with Haiti Foundation Against Poverty, and hope that the amazing work of the organization is something you enjoy looking into.
https://haitipoverty.org/team-details/jen-haefeli
https://www.giftofhopehaiti.org/
https://avanticoffeecompany.com/
https://www.hermanmiller.com/
https://mochni.com/herman-miller-furniture-design-for-a-better-world/