Sharon and I are in the U.S. through March 22 on stress leave. Haiti's still on our minds and in our hearts, and we've been particularly wrestling with the question: how can Haiti rebuild? One (simple?) way to help is through purchasing one of the few things Haiti exports:
Coffee. We all know the importance of buying fair trade, so add a bag of Haitian coffee into your rotation or get your church or workplace to use Haitian coffee for a few months instead of Folgers.
Art. Haiti exports paintings and metal art (in which artists flatten steel drums and then craft different images by hand). Haitian art fundraisers are happening all around: there's one here in PA, or you can always buy art at your local Ten Thousand Villages store.
We've been realizing more and more that trade - and not simply aid - is incredibly important for Haiti's economic future, earthquake or not. More on this subject soon.*
* A note on "more soon" alerts: Sharon still remembers that she promised details on the Haiti Response Coalition's conference. That update has been delayed because of her grandmother's death and our travel, but it's still in the works.
In which Bryan and Sharon, two mouns from Philadelphia,
learn Creole
propagate trees
and live in beautiful rural Haiti.
1 comment:
I have been reading Haiti blogs for weeks since the earthquake and was linked to you through the Livesay blog. I would love to meet you, as I live in Princeton, NJ and could drive to you. I am a pastor with the PCUSA and am researching mission opportunities in Haiti. I was especially delightfully surprised tonight when I read your blog, clicked on your link to buying Haiti Exports( I have already gone to 10,000 villages for more cut metal art) and clicked on the Coffee link. I used to live in Alaska and often pine away for the Heritage Coffee Shop in Juneau, AK! How awesome that this is where you linked me! I will buy some tomorrow, and put on my Heritage t-shirt and wear it proudly. Blessings to you! Elizabeth and Matt
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