July 2024 Newsletter
Hello, Haiti Mama Fam !
We hope you're enjoying the summer sunshine!
As we step into July, we’re thrilled to share some heartwarming updates from our Haiti Mama community.
This month, we celebrate one of our Mama's incredible successes, marvel at the creativity of our Bel Bagay artisans, and gear up for the upcoming August Mama Box. Plus, catch a quick recap of the impactful June Better Together conference in Nashville.
Pssst! Our Corporate Holiday Boxes are now available for order – we can’t wait to discuss it with you!
Thank you for your unwavering support!
With gratitude,
Camille and the Haiti Mama team
Celebrating Success
If you’ve followed Haiti Mama, you’ve heard of Chimene, affectionately known as Mama JMac.
Her son, JMac, was fondly called "the most famous kid in Haiti" by our founder, Tausha Pearson. JMac, a remarkably street-smart young man, was among the first boys our organization aimed to support. Tausha discovered him and other kids under a truck, sparking her mission to reunite them with their families alongside her dedicated social work team. They successfully located Chimene, who was then living in a single room unfit for raising her son.
The Haiti Mama team devised a plan for Chimene and JMac, leading to Chimene working for Haiti Mama as a laundry assistant. With her earnings, she built a home in Port-au-Prince, which she later had to flee due to danger. Despite numerous challenges, Chimene's achievements are remarkable. Tragically, JMac was killed in gang violence a year ago and is deeply missed by Haiti Mama.
While we cannot fathom the grief his mother endures, we continue to celebrate her triumphs and support her journey. Today, Chimene not only works at Haiti Mama but also runs her own small business selling vegetables, corn, and charcoal. Our social workers provided her with business and financial literacy support, enabling her to save money and invest in her enterprise. Now, she’s fully independent and a respected figure in her neighbourhood, where people seek her business advice and enjoy her famous grilled corn.
We are incredibly proud of the hard work that has empowered Chimene to support herself. Thank you all for helping create opportunities for Chimene. This is just one of the many success stories Haiti Mama is proud to share. Stay with us to learn more about our impact!
Exciting News: Bel Bagay Artisans are back in action (in our workshop)!
We are thrilled to announce that shipping to and from Haiti has resumed!
Our talented artisans are back to work, creating beautiful pieces once again. Our artisan program, Bel Bagay, was established to empower parents and teenagers through employment. In a country where tourism and artisanal exports are crucial to the economy, being an artisan is a respected and vital part of Haitian culture.
Our artisans, along with partners from the Haiti Artisan Collective, have crafted some beautiful and unique items for our upcoming August "Mama Box."
Kayla Raymond from Rosie’s Boutique has been curating the boxes for us this year. Her theme, A Year Of Proverbs, and this box was given the Haitian proverb "MEN ANPIL CHAY PA LOU," meaning "Many hands make the load lighter."
It's not too late to get in on the August Box ! You can subscribe quarterly or annually using the link below.
If subscribing isn’t for you, we have a limited number of single-purchase boxes available year-round, perfect for any budget! Keep them in mind for birthday or Holiday shopping!
Click here to check it out!
Stay tuned for more beautiful creations from Bel Bagay!
Announcing Our Corporate Holiday Boxes. Now Available for Order
Impress your valued customers and employees with a unique gift from Haiti Mama!
This year, demonstrate your commitment to both your people and social impact. The Seasonal Delight Box from The Mama Box is the ideal choice for everyone on your list. Each box is meticulously curated with exclusive, handmade products from Haiti that will leave a lasting impression.
By choosing The Mama Box, you not only recognize the efforts of your clients and employees but also contribute to meaningful job creation in Haiti.
Join us in spreading joy and making a difference—last year, we delighted over 300 clients. Will you be next?
For more information and to place your order, Click hereor email us at info@haitimama.org
Better Together Conference in Nashville
Over the course of three days, professionals in social work, child support, and family reunification in Haiti convened at the "Better Together" Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. This gathering aimed to address current challenges and foster new collaborations to enhance support for Haitian families.
Haiti Mama is deeply committed to partnering and collaborating with organizations that can amplify our impact on families. By participating in this conference, we aim to strengthen our network and explore innovative solutions to better serve our community.
One of the key takeaways from the conference is the realization that we are not alone in our efforts. There are numerous resources available for collaboration in addressing challenges related to children with disabilities, health, education, trauma management, business development opportunities and more. We even had the chance to learn some new delicious Haitian recipes !
For more information about the Haiti Family Care Network, please visit their website.
Hop on the Tap Tap with us and let’s make change!
