The Apparent Project

My sister in law read about the Apparent Project on a blog she follows and recommended it to me recently.

The project employs a network of Haitian artisans to make those rolled-paper beads that are getting so popular as well as journals, baskets and other hand-crafts and then markets these items via an online marketplace or home-hosted jewelry parties a la Pampered Chef or Cookie Lee (all the ladies reading this just sat up and sniffed the air).

While I am almost always a big fan of nonprofits that also support industry in Haiti, I was immediately impressed by how grounded this project seems to be. The administrators of the organization are in very close contact with their artisans, they are all friends and neighbors, and thus in touch with their needs. More importantly they strongly advocate the idea of solidarity, i.e. community with them.

I find this incredibly encouraging. Too many well-meaning individuals and nonprofits are moved by the plight of Haiti and attempt to meet needs without really understanding what those needs are. Generally speaking, as foreigners, we approach Haiti with a limited and often completely inaccurate understanding of her history, personality and culture (especially when it comes to foreign assistance) and bring with us our own history, personality, and culture. Until we can recognize that both exist and understand how fundamentally different they are, all of our relief efforts, even so-called sustainable efforts, are going to be short-lived  at best and harmful at worse.

You can read more about the challenges and pitfalls to humanitarian work at the Apparent Project Blog here.

I've struggled personally with the way people like me, incredibly wealthy by global standards, approach poverty, especially foreign poverty. I've talked about the effects of a culture of affluence and even how we hate the poor. My battle against ignorance, fear and judgement rages daily and becomes even more difficult each day I spend away from Haiti. Still, it is the passion of my heart to know Haiti and to earn the respect of the Haitian people. To learn about her, to listen to her and to share what I learn with those who also long not to save but to understand her.

I am very excited about the work that the Apparent Project is doing, their business philosophy and their personal investment in the people of Haiti. I hope that they continue to stay true to those philosophies and that their work multiplies not only economically but culturally as well.