I don’t work with my hands. I clack on keys as I write, but what I create is ethereal, not tangible. There are beauty in words, but it’s not the same as a thing of beauty that strikes you in each passing step. I have a burst of sun that sits atop the table in my entry hall. It’s been a bright mark of spring as we await this tardy season to begin. It’s not just the happy strokes of yellow that make this vase so lovely. The texture is a tactile pleasure, and what’s more special is knowing someone’s hands artfully caressed and molded the paper to create this piece of art.
It’s from the Heart of Haiti.
Heart of Haiti brings the work of artisans and entrepreneurs in Haiti to us. Social entrepreneur Willa Shalit started Heart of Haiti in 2010 in partnership with Macy’s and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. The artisans receive 50 percent of the wholesale price of each piece. This program bridges the go-to-market gap that would otherwise prevent these artists from bringing their goods to consumers. And we would be left none the richer for knowing, touching, and appreciating their work. Several obstacles plague these artisans from earning a living, among them, limited ability to market products, limited access to raw materials, and poor infrastructure.
Consider this:
- The average Haitian’s annual income is $400. That’s not a typo. Annual.
- Haiti has an estimated 400,000 artisans (out of a 10M population) who rely solely on their handcrafted goods as a source of income. No other sector of employment even approaches such numbers.
The story of Haiti’s devastating earthquake is not for the annals of news archives. It’s still real and palpable. I have several friends who have traveled to Haiti to see these artisans at work. Many friends have been on medical missions, mostly working with children and pregnant women. Their stories recount the realities of Haitian families who are among the one million homeless. While we can’t all travel to Haiti to lend a hand, we can bring a bit of Haiti home.
You can find home decor like mine and several other beautiful products at Macy’s. If you’re lucky enough to live in one of these cities, Heart of Haiti products are available in-store: Herald Square, Brooklyn Downtown, Metro Center, State Street, Northland Center, Seattle Downtown, Portland Downtown, San Francisco Union Square, Biltmore Fashion Park, South Coast Plaza Home, Mission Valley Home, Dallas Galleria, Lenox Square Mall, Dadeland.
Follow the goings on of Heart of Haiti on Twitter and Facebook.
“I am a member of the Everywhere Society, and Everywhere has provided me with a product for review for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.“