Haitian Handmade

If you know anything about Servants for Haiti, you know we’ll do whatever it takes to help our Haitian friends.  In that spirit, we’re branching out to do more.

SFH is spinning off a “subsidiary” called Haitian Handmade to market and sell products created by Haitian artisans.  In the process, we’ll be providing incomes for families who might otherwise not be able to raise their own children, a common occurrence and one of the reasons for the proliferation of so-called orphanages in Haiti.

Read on for the whole story about Haitian Handmade…

Servants for Haiti acquired 26 sewing machines and a variety of material to get the program started.  That equipment was set up in the same building where our Biznis Pam program is held.  Because electrical service is unreliable at the best of times in Haiti, we also purchased a new generator for the facility.

A French-speaking SFH volunteer traveled to Haiti to teach a class on the basics of sewing on the new machines.  Two sewing classes were held  during the last week of June, 2013.  A morning session with seven women and one man ran from 8:30am-11:30am.  Nine women attended the afternoon class from 12:30pm-3:30pm.

A class of Haitians learns skills to create products for Haitian Handmade.

Class participants learned the components of the machine, how to make a bobbin, how to thread the machine, how to sew various stitches, and how to create a simple tote bag.

Students proudly display their creations.

Eventually, you’ll be able to purchase products like these online. Until we are 100% up and running, we will accept special orders.  For example, a bride and groom ordered 24 tablecloths made by our students for their wedding reception.

Tablecloths created by Haitian artisans make for an especially festive wedding reception.

Be on the lookout for the new Haitian Handmade web site.  As its introduction approaches, we’ll give updates on the SFH web site.  Check back often.

Here are some women creating more products that will eventually be for sale through Haitian Handmade: