Several years ago I stood in a small, open-air, dirt courtyard with the blazing sun beating down, the temperature in the low 90s with high humidity. I was surrounded by a circle of 10 small rooms made entirely of corrugated tin. Each of the rooms had a single door that opened into the dirt courtyard. A room number was haphazardly spray painted on each door, and none of those tin rooms had windows, let alone air conditioning.

What I'm describing is a Haitian brothel. The ladies who now make the items in this little space? They used to work there. And they are my friends.

A few years ago, some of them gathered their courage and left that life to begin making the beautiful goods you see in this shop. It took real bravery to try something new ... to believe that they in fact could earn a living as artists, instead of living the degrading life of prostitution ... to believe they were worthy of respect as one of God's daughters.

The most amazing part for me has been the privilege of witnessing this firsthand. I've seen their self confidence grow and their dignity restored. They can look me in the eye when we talk now. They feel comfortable enough to tease me and laugh at my dumb jokes. They speak of their new line of work with great pride. They enjoy having their picture taken. If you could've spoken with them a few years ago, you'd realize what a miracle all of this truly is.

My friend Sarah and I have teamed up with these Haitian women, teaching them how to make the beautiful things you see in this shop. The ladies not only earn a great wage, but your purchase enables them to have a new life, supporting their families in a happier, healthier way outside of the brothel. Yay for that!

And guess what? They really don't want you to feed their kids and send them to school. THEY want to do that. Your purchase gives them a "hand up" that allows them to feel the pride that comes from good work.

When you buy something they've made, you might think it's just another pretty thing for your house, or another cool piece of jewelry to wear. But for these ladies, it's freedom ("Libète" in Haitian Creole). It means everything to them.

THEY win .. with a dignified job, good income, and the ability to support their family.

YOU win ... with cute items for yourself or gifts for your friends, and the joy that comes from helping someone who needs it.

And God is glorified ... because His kids are doing what they can to make the world a little brighter for everybody.

Thanks for being a part of this endeavor!
Neile
Libète Made In Haiti
P.S. Want to see some of the ladies sorting through the beads they've made? Check out the little video we've attached.