15 Aug Social Enterprises in Haiti
Note: This blog post was featured in a San Francisco Chronicle article about Bay Area Haitians responding to the crises in Haiti.
We originally wrote this blog post featuring a curated list of social enterprises in Haiti after the assassination of the Haitian president in July 2021, and the resulting political and economic instability faced by the country. Then, on August 14, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Southern Haiti, and the country is now in an acute humanitarian crisis. As of this posting, over 1000 people have lost their lives, thousands are injured, and hundreds of thousands have no shelter, food or water. The heartbreaking casualties will likely continue to increase.
Many are asking how we can help Haiti. Nonprofit organizations that already work in the region are best positioned to respond effectively to this tragedy. Partners in Health is the largest nonprofit medical organization in Haiti with incredible teams of local doctors, nurses and logistical staff. Hope for Haiti and Fokal are also excellent grassroots organizations that work in the region and are delivering emergency aid. We highly recommend donations to these organizations.
In addition, Haiti’s economy, which has still not recovered from the 7.0 earthquake that hit in 2010, is in dire straights. The high rate of poverty contributes to Haiti’s vulnerability to tragically high casualties in the face of natural disasters.
One way to help Haiti rebuild over the long term is to purchase goods from Haiti, supporting the economy. The hardworking people of Haiti create exquisite products, but they often lack marketing and advertising budgets. Below is a curated list of Haitian businesses that not only sell beautiful and delicious items, they also go an extra mile by investing in local communities and providing training to their employees. Bit by bit, if these businesses can flourish, then it may help with Haiti’s longterm recovery. As they say in Haitian Creole, “Piti, piti, zwazo fe nich li;” meaning little by little the bird builds its nest. We can all contribute just one twig.
Gifts
The knitted beanie hats, metal wall art, and leather goods from Haiti Made are defined by quality craftsmanship. The company has a commitment to creating dignified employment that will help families thrive while also promoting economic sustainability in Haitian communities to end the deep-rooted cycles of poverty fight against the orphan and child slavery crisis in Haiti.
The leather goods, jewelry, and other gifts from Haiti Design Co have an elegant and chic aesthetic, and this nonprofit social enterprise supports community programs that train locals in design, craftsmanship, and leadership. Their goal is to empower locals with employment and training that will eventually allow them to become entrepreneurs of their own.
Handmade paper greeting cards from Haiti Partners are crafted using sustainable fibers by the men and women of Bawosya to support their children’s education. Embossed with beautiful patterns, 100% of profits go to charity supporting education and community development programs.
Clothing & Accessories
Black yoga pants are a wardrobe essential for most women and Share Hope calls their yoga pants an “ethical essential” as well. Their mandate is to transform communities through the creation of secure and decent jobs by bringing garment manufacturing work to Haiti. 100% of profits go to empowering social programs for factory workers.
Silk face masks, headbands, scarves and beaded clutches from Bien Abye have refined and stylish designs that can be purchased online or at Nordstrom stores. The brand promotes women artisans in Haiti whose traditional skills have been passed on for generations, allowing artisans to preserve their craft while building a better life. Their philosophy is “elevating women one stitch at a time!”
Coffee
With names like “Zombie Desert” and “Defense Against the Dark Arts,” Cafe Kreyol is playful with their blend names but serious about conscious capitalism. Their coffees are certified organic and intended to create sustainable employment for farming families, alleviating poverty in rural coffee growing regions, one cup at a time.
Whether you start your day with roasted coffee beans, cold brew or K-cups, Caribbrew Coffee is known for smooth and full-bodied flavor as a result of shade grown Arabica beans. They also sell body scrubs made with ground beans! Grown at high altitudes by small-scale farmers in Haiti and roasted in small batches, they are committed to fair business partnerships that support the poorest communities in gaining access to better food, health care, and education.
For years this Singing Rooster has worked shoulder to shoulder with small coffee farmers to help them raise yields and improve quality and flavor. As a nonprofit social enterprise they not only pay above fair trade prices, they also organize pre-harvest prices and equitably distribute economic gains to farmers. For a unique cup-of-joe check out the “honey processed” coffee, referring to the pulp that is left on the bean instead of being washed off, resulting in a sweeter taste profile and complex full body flavor.
Specialty Foods
Haiti’s first and only premiere bean-to-bar chocolate company, Askanya Chocolates, sources cacao grown in Haiti and then they process and package the luscious bars at their facility in Northeastern Haiti. The company was founded to create opportunities for cacao farmers and factory workers. Their chocolates have unique flavors such as “Bouquet Vert,” a dark chocolate infused with lime.
Spicy Peanut Butter is a staple in Haitian cuisine, and Lavi Spicy Peanut Butter is bringing this delicacy to US markets to spice up your pantry! Moreover this social enterprise is transforming lives in Haiti by improving smallholder farmer productivity and creating jobs. For every jar of peanut butter sold, a nutritious snack is provided to a child in Haiti at a local school.
Made in small batches, Merline’s Caribbean Hot Sauce packs a double-punch: not only are they delicious, in addition 100% of profits go to charity supporting education and community development programs. The hot sauces contain coconut milk and scotch bonnet peppers, for a unique creamy texture and spicy flavor.
Beauty Products
Skincare and haircare made with Haitian black castor oil and moringa oil, you may have seen the founders of Kreyol Essence debut their product on Shark Tank! In addition to great products, they are also a social business interested in economic development, empowering women, and taking care of our environment. Every purchase of a Kreyol Essence product helps change lives and protect Haiti’s unique ecosystems.
Soothing balms, salves, oils and other natural products from Papa Rozier Farms allow the company to invest in education and agriculture. The aromatic vetiver essential oil produced by Papa Rozier is known for reducing stress and anxiety and is a lovely gift that also has a positive impact. The farm and their affiliated school employ 24 people within the community and serve over a hundred students.
Beeswax lip balm, lotion bars, and honey from Vetiver Solutions hail from the village of Moreau in Southern Haiti. This public benefit corporation emerged as a community-led initiative to earn reliable income while caring for local ecosystems. Pollination with purpose supports subsistence farmers who practice sustainable agriculture, and the company also collaborates with farmers to prevent erosion in their mountainous region, preserving the rich topsoil for generations to come.
Looking for other ways to change the world? For international and unique one day volunteer opportunities, visit Give a Day Global’s volunteer page.
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