Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Heart Of Haiti

Today I want to talk about some people I have never met but yet feel connected to. Today I want you think of your surroundings and get to know the heart of Haiti. The Haitians are beautiful, creative and resilient people and this is the reason I who never post any sponsored post or ads is proud to introduce to you the Heart of Haiti.


Heart of Haiti is an extension of the Macy's 'Shop for A Better World' initiative born out of a partnership with Fair Winds Trading and Brand Aid Haiti.  Founded on the principle of "Trade not Aid", 'The Shop for A Better World' creative team sources artists from all over Haiti to develop and sell their works in over 25 Macy's storefront locations across the U.S. and on macys.com. The proceeds earned from the sale of their art dramatically improve the lives of the artists and their families giving them the ability to afford better nutrition, education and healthcare.  And the craftsmanship and technique behind these works of art, ranging from papier mache vases to hand cut metal frames & wall hangings, is truly remarkable.  The collection is made entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums & local gommier wood.


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This past February, a group of bloggers had the rare opportunity to travel to Haiti with Fair Winds Trading (led by founder Willa Shalit) and  who had taken on the Heart of Haiti project as a labor of love. They met many of the artisans behind the HOH collection including Serge Jolimeau, a world-renowned metal artist, who also presides over the guild organization (ADAAC) that links and guides the many local artisan ateliers.  Over the years, Serge has trained hundreds of young apprentices
giving them the gift of art and the ability to earn a living wage.  They watched as the young men pounded, cut and shaped ornate works of art for the home out of what was once nothing but a pile of raw scrap metal.  This was a theme they saw repeated over and over again in Haiti - the practice of taking a pile of nothing and turning it into something beautiful.  




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A random comment will be chosen to win a small item from the Heart of Haiti collection.
What comes to mind when you think of Haiti and its people?


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One year later: Rebuilding & Renewing

17 comments:

  1. my word is hope!
    they need it, and i am sure they have it! they must to have!
    nice and concious post!
    kisses!
    http://eldiariodeshyris.blogspot.com/

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  2. Thank you for sharing this! An old friend is getting married in KY next weekend, but lives in NY - she's registered at Macy's and I was trying to figure out how I was going to find a unique gift that can easily be shipped - this is perfect and for a great cause!

    What comes to mind when I think of Haiti? Unfairness, survival, strength, sadness, tragedy, sorrow, hope. Thanks to your post, now I can add beauty, creativity, and resiliency to that list.

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  3. What beautiful work and strong people.
    New follower from the blog hop. Hope you follow back. http://grandmabonniescloset.blogspot.com/

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  4. What a beautiful program; thanks for sharing!

    It's incredible to me what people are able to accomplish with what little they have.

    I'm thinking something from this collection might make great Christmas gifts! I love gifts with a cause.

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  5. amazing art work
    i would love to paint one of those pots

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  6. What a cool post. When I think of Haiti, I think of the kids. I used to work for a non-profit international adoption agency. We had a couple orphanages in Port au Prince. I loved those kids there. I got to meet a few of them when they were adopted and brought back to the States. Their hearts were so pure and they just radiated energy. Would love to get to go myself one day! :o) Thanks for the cool post, girl!

    Sarah Kate

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  7. This is incredible! I knew nothing of this program before your post. how amazing... and what beautiful art. It reminds me of those images we see full of rubble or destruction, which one lone- untouched- flower just blooming it's heart out...

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  8. Beautiful arts & crafts. Sounds like a wonderful cause.

    Reminds me of the kioskos de artesania during las fiestas patronales in Puerto Rico where you could find works made from all parts of the coconut tree.

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  9. ~I love what you do :)
    Do U have a badge for me to place on my blog?
    xxx

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  10. Whenever I think of Haiti, I think of a beautiful country, language, and people struggling to make lives for themselves. What a wonderful cause. I love what you're doing, here. Thank you for sharing it.

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  11. When I think of haiti I think of hope and struggle. Thank you for this post and raw pictures.

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  12. This post and the artwork is beautiful!
    I am following you via Mingle blog hop. Following you every way I can.
    Stop by my blog and follow however you like.

    http://itsabouttimemamaw.blogspot.com/

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  13. what a beautiful tribute, friend... when i think of haiti and its people, i think of worship. of the thousands of pairs of arms lifted to God while standing in streets full of rubble, following the earthquake. thank you so much for linking to imperfect prose!

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  14. Great post, thanks for sharing! New follower from Debbie's hop!

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  15. I love to hear stories of hope and resiliency in life. So many have everything, but only carry sorrow and yet there are many that have almost nothing, but carry with them the spark of life. This sounds like a worthy thing to support.

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  16. just look at their work (living) conditions.. and they are making art. and probably grateful to be doing so. a lesson we could all learn from.

    off to check your links and link you to a friend with a mission... :)

    patty@findingserendipity.com

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  17. The things they make are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

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