Employ 100 Rural Women: Create a sustainable Haiti

Mirlande Faustin and Sherilne Bernard are two proud young women who recently received promotions at Haiti Projects.  Mirlande started working at the artisan workshop in 2012, and Sherline started in 2013.  When they began working, they were Ironers, responsible for ironing each and every product once it was finished being hand washed.  Products range from hand-emrboidered cotton batiste nightgowns, canvas market bags, hand-embroidered sachets, little girl dresses, to linen aprons.  About six months ago Mirlande and Sherilne were promoted to the level of Assistants.  They now attach labels onto products, remove stray threads and, most importantly, perform quality control inspections. 

Both women speculate that without their jobs at Haiti Projects they would have no other employment prospects, and would likely be sitting at home.  Not only do their jobs give them income, responsibiliy and a cooperative of women to be a part of, but also their jobs have allowed them to make investments that will benefit their families and the community.  Mirlande has purchased some goats and a pig, and Sherline was able to build a small extension onto her family’s home for herself.  When we invest in women, we trigger prosperity for the whole community.