A nightgown and a mission to make you sleep easy

You may have noticed in our holiday gift guide recently that we featured a lavender-filled eye pillow made by Haiti Projects. The organization’s mission is to empower women in rural Haiti to lift themselves out of poverty, become self-sufficient and build community.

Eye pillows aren’t the only product they make. The organization also sells cute nightgowns, sachets, bags, and other linen products. We tried a couple of the adorable cotton nightgowns, which are great especially for summertime. They are – unlike many products out there these days – hand cut, sewn, and embroidered by the women of Fond des Blancs, Haiti. We thought you should see and hear more about the organization’s endeavors since they have such a cool mission! We couldn’t have done it justice in just 50 words in our gift guide.

The embroidery skills in the cooperative have been handed down from mother to daughter for generations. Haiti Projects started when its founder Sarah Hackett went down to help in the nearby hospital. She saw the talent and set out to help find them materials to use their craft to make money to help lift their village.

Currently, Haiti Projects employs 100 women, 10 of which are victims of the earthquake. Each woman has her own job, whether it be a set wash, iron, sew, and embroider. Every piece the women make they get paid for, so the sale of each gown or other piece goes back to help keep the Artisanat running. With a steady salary every month these women are able to buy good food for their families and send their children to school.

So, here’s another cool thing we wanted to tell you about: Haiti Projects’ biggest sale venue is the homes of its supporters, which host sales in their homes, local church, or community event! So forget the Mary Kay or Longaberger parties. Host a Haiti Projects party! Email Renee at renee AT HaitiProjects DOT org. if you are interested!

-Kayleigh K.