The Vassar Haiti Project
The Vassar Haiti Project
was founded in 2001, and is a collaborative, all-volunteer organization. Today, it is recognised as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with over 100 members and volunteers dedicated to supporting Haitian artists and the people of Chermaitre.
Join in partnership with Femmes de Chermaitre!
The women of Chermaitre, Haiti, many of whom have experienced significant personal and economic hardships, came together in late 2013 to form the women’s co-operative, Femmes de Chermaitre, in order to collectively improve their livelihoods. They strongly believe
in the power of women working together, and have an incredible network of solidarity.
Jeanne Saintulis, President of Femmes de Chermaitre
"Women are everything"
The full impact of a successful women’s co-operative is immeasurably large and interconnected with all aspects of life in Chermaitre. We are certain that their growth will reverberate through the entire community: they will be able to afford and grow more food
for their families, send their children to school, and realize their goals of sustainable, thriving livelihoods. As Toussaint Vina (secretary of the co-operative) reminds us in the video: “Women are everything.”
Growing the Co-operative
Since their formation, they have been making coffee, producing peanut butter and jams, as well as fabrics, handcrafts and jewelry for sale in regional and U.S. markets. This year, VHP successfully began selling their richly aromatic organic coffee, hand-sewn
napkins and artfully beaded earrings at our Haitian art and handcraft sales. We are very heartened by the results so far. With your support in purchasing more supplies and equipment, Femmes de Chermaitre can get up and running on a larger scale!
Lavantine Joseph, Member of the Procurement Committee
Learn more:
Website: http://thehaitiproject.org/
Twitter: @vassarhaitiproj
Venture page on StartSomeGood: http://startsomegood.com/Venture/vassar_haiti_project
