When: Friday, March 5, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Dowling International Center, Indiana University, 111 S. Jordan Ave., Bloomington, IN
What: Haitian arts and crafts will be sold to benefit the reforestation efforts of Imagine Haitian and the economic empowerment initiatives of the Women’s Cooperative of Thiotte. Baked goods and Haitian coffee will be sold to benefit the Hephrata orphanage in Gonaives. Drop in anytime during the event to enjoy Haitian music and art. There is no door charge and something will be available for all budgets and all tastebuds (including gluten-free and vegan options). Bring your friends!
Beneficiaries:
IMAGINE HAITIAN
See the “About” and “Projects” pages for more information.
WOMEN’S COOPERATIVE OF THIOTTE
The Women’s Cooperative of Thiotte was established in a rural village in the mountains of southeast Haiti in July 2009. The cooperative, which is headed by a board elected from among the members, sells a variety of purses, clutches, and totes made from recycled plastic. The women gather used plastic bags, which litter the streets of their community, and knit the plastic into decorative purses and totes. A selection of these purses will be sold at the Coffee Evening. All of the money from each purse sold goes directly to the woman who make the purses.
HEPHRATA ORPHANAGE
The Hephrata orphanage of Gonaives is run by Nestor Pierre, a Haitian friend of Lizzie Cooke, the founder of Imagine Haitian. Many of Lizzie’s friends in Gonaives have accepted earthquake refugees from Port-au-Prince into their homes. Unfortunately, most of those accepting refugees are in a poor situation to do so since they are still suffering from the floods and mudslides that devasted Gonaives during the 2008 hurricane season. Nestor described the conditions of his orphanage in a recent letter: “We have 30 children, and they live in a mud house and in a roof thin. We have a small school. At that school, we have fifty children. Those who teach the children work as volunters because we have not had means yet to pay them. Actually, what we need for the kids is to build a house for them, feed them, and dress them. We also need soap, shoes, clothes, beds and so forth. The children that we have are from 9-10 years old. Let’s work together to save the lives of the children who are in difficulties. Anyone is welcome to this program.”
