Three years ago, on my first trip to Haiti, we were riding down the bumpy backroads of Haiti in the bed of a pickup truck. Our group had received a call that there was a father in the area who couldn’t take … Continue reading
On the first day of January 2016, I had an idea. Well, actually, Pinterest had an idea. (Pinterest is right up there with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and dry shampoo among God’s best ideas EVER.) Anyway. Among latte … Continue reading
Kayla Raymond is the founder of Rosie’s Boutique. During my most recent trip to Haiti over Thanksgiving 2014, I visited Rosie’s Boutique in Haiti. It is a colorful and unique shop in Cabaret, Haiti. I loved all the goods and- even better- the stories behind the goods for sale at Rosie’s. Beneath their beautiful, handcrafted surfaces, they tell the tales of employment and change for the better. Continue reading
Vi Bella means beautiful life. When I think of what a beautiful life is, I think of a life spent for the glory of God. A life with happiness and joy and love. A life where you don’t need to … Continue reading
You all probably know the story of how I raised over $6,000 last year for a playground at a school in Haiti.
But in case you don’t know the story, here it is: Last year, I felt as if God was calling me to do something for the country of Haiti, something big. I kept searching and searching for something to do, and finally, it came to me. My mom suggested I raise money to build a playground at a school in the village of Simonette, Haiti by selling Vi Bella Jewelry, which is made by Haitian women. My goal was to raise $5,000, but God really came through, and I raised a grand total of $6,000 for the school!
I’m amazed that God has used me to do this, even though I’m just a child!
But right now, I want to tell you about another story that has touched my heart. A story that will take place in Africa. Led by my friend, Lisa-Jo Baker. She wants to raise $5,000 to build a laundry facility for mothers who don’t have access to water.
I remember when I first got to Haiti. As we neared the house where we were staying, we passed through a shallow stream. One that was polluted and dirty. I saw people washing their clothes in the water. I wondered if the water made the clothes dirtier than before, but they have no choice.
This is a common sight in Haiti:
Lisa-Jo is going to banish the option of washing clothes in polluted water (or just not washing clothes at all) in a community in Africa.
I highly suggest you check out her blog and make a donation to her fundraising effort.
I have already made a commitment of $40 to her fundraiser.
(And by the way… You know how my motto for my playground project was “every kid deserves to play”? Well I think hers should be “every woman deserves to wash laundry”. 😉 )
***
I found the photo shown on Flickr. It was taken by “kretyen.”
It was as any other Saturday was. We all filed into our Acadia, heading for a nearby town because our friend, Renae Grooters, was hosting a Haiti fundraiser. We arrived and entered the building. The room was filled with Vi … Continue reading
I gripped little Jeffte’s hand as I approached the playground. I gazed out at a wide and joyful area of slides, swings, and smiles and thought, Wow… did I do this? Months earlier, I began a fundraising effort to build a … Continue reading
