June 2024 NewsLetter
June Newsletter
We know, it’s been a while…
If you’re in the loop with all things Haiti, you know things have been really hard there lately. It’s time to bring some light and good news to your inbox with the re-launch of our monthly newsletter. SO, hold onto your hearts , because since our move to the beautiful southern Haitian countryside, we couldn’t be happier with how our families are thriving.
Life in the south of Haiti
ONE YEAR AGO - Remember how our amazing team of social worker superheroes, fuelled by your support, their own determination and a touch of #godmagic, relocated 26 families, 3 dogs and ALL our stuff from the bustling city of Port-au-Prince to the tranquil countryside? That was a year ago already, and we wanted you to know how things are going.
Our 6 wonderful teenagers with disabilities now have their own slice of heaven at our Care House, surrounded by 10 incredible caregivers who are ready to pour out endless love. We have a team of big hearted mamas who care for these beautiful souls day and night. The main care providers have been using training videos to help these kids with basic physical therapy and movement, both inside our centre and outside on the courtyard getting some valuable vitamin D. Our cook is sourcing fresh local food and creating healthy meals for the teens and the staff and our grounds keepers are loving on our dogs and keeping our space safe for everyone.
Did someone say PUPPY? Our loyal security dog, Phantom, is starting to show some signs of slowing down and a well deserved retirement is in his future. We are bringing a new puppy to Haiti Mama, and we can’t wait to show you some of that cuteness in the coming weeks.
We've searched all over our new area to find the perfect schools and even some basic trade training for our kids and teens. We strongly feel that education should be the right fit for the opportunities available to them so they can be successful at supporting themselves when they are ready.
Two of our teenagers chose to stay in Port-au-Prince with their communities and familiar surroundings. TapTap’s and Motos are two basic forms of transportation in Haiti. Two of our boys have purchased motorcycles and have started their own businesses transporting people around town. We are so proud of them and look forward to watching them thrive while providing for themselves and we pray for their safety daily.
Sure, the journey and relocation had its challenges. Leaving the familiarity of their homes and diving into a new town took a lot of courage. But our incredible social workers have been there, supporting our families as they rebuild their lives with unwavering commitment.
Mama Wanese is one of the country's first foster Mamas and has started her own small business selling soup. Our social workers have begun assisting her to save some of her income. She’s on course to save $1,200 this year, which is more than double the per capita income in Haiti. This is what change looks like y’all.
So, what can you expect to see in the coming months? Training our artisans with new skills to make more beautiful things, relaunching our Bel Bagay online store, PUPPY pictures and doubling down on seeing our subscription artisan box “The Mama Box” to make it a huge success and so much more!
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to keep up to date!
Introducing Camille Sumner new Executive Director at HM
WE ARE THRILLED to announce an exciting new chapter in the journey of Haiti Mama. After an extensive search process, we have found a visionary leader who embodies our values and shares our commitment to empowering families and children in Haiti.
Please join us in welcoming Camille Sumner as the new Executive Director of Haiti Mama. Her wealth of experience in social enterprise and artisans work in West Africa and her accomplishments with US and international non-profits make her the perfect fit to lead our organization forward.
Camille Sumner brings with her a passion for economic empowerment and social development, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the communities we serve. She is committed to building on Haiti Mama's successes and exploring new ways to create lasting impact.
Discover The Fountain Project:
How we are empowering Haitian Families with the Bel Bagay Art Collective and The Mama Box
Moving our Bel Bagay Artisans collective to the South of Haiti was a game-changer!
Our new area isn't just safer; it's located close to to one of Haiti's most vibrant artistic communities.
Here, our Bel Bagay Artisan collective is thriving. With six trained artisans on our team, we’re starting to integrate into and will be learning from this new artistic community, all while keeping some very talented artisans in Port-au-Prince busy.
Despite challenges like port closures causing shipping delays, we’re inspired and continue to produce exciting projects for The Mama Box and we are working towards re-launching our online store.
By 2025, our goal is to train and employ more artisans, boosting The Mama Box sales and providing livelihoods for more Haitian families can help us with that goal. Our aim? Selling 9,500 Boxes annually by 2026 and achieving self-sustainability for Haiti Mama.
We're on a mission, and you can be part of this incredible journey.
Help us out by:
Chiming in on The Mama Box survey here
Discovering The Fountain Project here
Checking out The Mama Box here
Becoming part of our monthly Earring Club here
Hop on the TapTap and be a part of the change!
