As an educator, I believe that it is my responsibility to impart the concept of empathy to my students. It is important that they understand that their actions and contributions to society can have a profound impact on the circumstances of others. As a result, every holiday we work together to decorate holiday greeting cards for our servicemen and servicewomen who are serving our country overseas. By participating in this program, they learn the importance of giving back to their community.
Macy’s Heart of Haiti initiative is also aimed at making a difference and giving something back to the community. It does so by providing sustainable income to Haitian artisans whose lives, and those of their families, have been completely devastated by the 2010 earthquake. It has already led to the employment of 750 artists in Haiti thereby providing financial benefits for an estimated 8,500 people throughout the country.
Heart of Haiti is a “trade not aid” program geared at shining a light at the massive destruction and devastation that has deeply affected the socioeconomic situations of these wonderfully talented artisans. The initiative was launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s.
Each item is unique in design and handmade by a Haitian master artisan using such resources as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier-mâché and stone. The collection is rich with such pieces as quilts, metalworks, ceramics, jewelry and paintings. Each item is also environmentally friendly because it is made from recycled items including old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gummier wood.
Heart of Haiti products are available exclusively at Macy’s.com and retail from $25 to $60. If you would like more information on Heart of Haiti, you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook. We hope you will join us in celebrating the heart, spirit, and endurance of Haiti.
Disclosure: This post is part of a campaign with Latina Bloggers Connect and Macy’s Heart of Haiti. I received one or more of the items mentioned above to review in exchange for giving my honest opinion. Any statements made in this post are the author’s honest opinions. I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will be “family friendly.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
© 2012, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for supporting Heart of Haiti!!! The values that our teachers instill in us are some of the most important. There are some teachers whose lessons stay with you forever. It sounds like you’re one of them. Thanks for helping spread our message.