This past May, several of us with BB traveled to Haïti. Among our main goals were to meet our Haïtian partners, see the impact of their ministries, and experience the beautiful country they call home. We wanted to encourage their hard work and creative energy while learning how we could better represent their products and work on the BB site.
Like all of our vendors, the more of their products we sell directly translates to their ability to sustain operations, bring on and train new employees, and continue to strategically and permanently disrupt the cycle of poverty that has historically defined countries like Haïti.
Over the course of 6 days, we spent time with vendors all over the country: from the capital Port-Au-Prince to Gonaives, Musac and Jacmel. The Haïtian landscape was incredibly diverse driving through crowded shantytowns, dry deserts, the bustling capital of Port Au Prince, verdant tropical forests, mile-high mountains, and postcard beaches (minus the ever-present trash). While the language barrier of Creole was very real, our guide/driver/translator Rocky (thank you Cornerstone Church!) was wonderful in helping us experience the real Haïti. We found people to be overwhelmingly friendly and kind. We felt welcomed and found that we were treated as friends as we traveled into their communities.
Each day had its own list of highlights as we were fortunate to spend quality time with our vendors learning more about their work and their community.
Our week in Haïti - the people we met, the perseverance of its people, real lives being changed - left us wanting to share this with you:
Behind every product is a beautiful story and soul. Your purchases are allowing these souls to thrive, to break cycles of hopelessness and poverty.
So - in response to Haïti's Jewels' parting question, "When will you place your next order"? We ask you to help us reach others interested in making a real difference with their purchase by sharing Bought Beautifully today.