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<\/p>\n2010 was a pivotal time in our lives. We watched as the lives of hundreds of thousands in Haiti altered in seconds when the ground beneath their feet shook violently, the roofs above them fell, and the walls collapsed. As news reports flooded in, the stories I heard throughout the years of my youth while growing up in Florida of the lives of Haitians who had fled for an opportunity in the States came flooding back. That of desperation, a willingness to swim ashore through shark-infested waters, like the family of Elian Gonzales from Cuba, I had pictured groups of individuals who fashioned vehicles into boats and took the few belongings that might make the trip, and prayed heavily that they would make the long journey alive to the United States where they could try to apply for refugee status. Farmers, skilled artisans, chefs, childcare providers, and families of beautiful people seeking a life of education and happiness.<\/p>\n
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It now seems so long ago, and yet yesterday that I look back on the past baker’s dozen years I think of Haiti as a home away from home and of the family and friends that I have filled my heart with. I have so many memories. So much love, and so much heartbreak. Haiti is a country with rich history, full of victories and tragic losses. If there is a summation to provide the best, it could be said that Haiti is a place where balance is seen every day. There are miracles on display every day, and when a life comes into the world a loss also takes place. We see that every day in Haiti.<\/p>\n
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Within the first few days of the earthquake, I read about some damage to a guest house due to the earthquake. The blog had been written by the Director of the Haiti Foundation Against Poverty, Mallery Thurlow. The school she sponsored also sustained significant damage. The wall securing the school had fallen on the kitchen, damaging it. I decided I could try to help this organization. My Hearts for Haiti campaign began. The paintings of hearts that I created sold for funds to help rebuild the wall of the school. I eventually joined the board of Haiti Foundation Against Poverty, and my paintings then sold for sponsorship and other types of fundraising for the foundation, the school, and the cr\u00e9che, Hope House.<\/p>\n
The organization expanded by opening a women\u2019s program, Gift of Hope by partnering with Herman Miller Furniture, through their Herman Miller Cares, an international and corporate giving program. Gift of Hope receives their extra and scrap bolts of fabric to create bags, clutches, wallets, and other items that provided an opportunity to open creative space, a boutique in Haiti for tourism and visitor sales, and fulfillment, as well as a second boutique in Midland, Michigan and the opportunity to sell items online and at pop-up\u2019s allowing Haiti Foundation Against Poverty to bring in revenue to support parents, preventing poverty orphans. The pillars the organization promotes are Education, Empower, Employ.<\/p>\n
HFAP continues to grow! They have expanded by taking on the coffee farm Mallery\u2019s husband Frentz Neptune grew up on. The couple married and now has a family, and they are a wonderful powerhouse of impact forHaiti. I have been proud to be a part of it! Avanti Coffee is grown in the mountains of southern, Haiti in Chambellan. It is all organic and the purchase of this coffee is directly supporting the coffee farmers and the economy of the southern peninsular areas of Haiti that were directly impacted by hurricanes that have ravaged these regions. Please consider looking into Avanti Coffee as an investment for your morning Joe! They offer subscriptions and have medium and dark roast and you can purchase a sampler set to give it a try!<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m thankful for the time I spent partnering with Haiti Foundation Against Poverty, and hope that the amazing work of the organization is something you enjoy looking into.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.giftofhopehaiti.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/avanticoffeecompany.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n