It's been 5 years... @HeartOfHaiti A reason for giving thanks, A reason for giving more.

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the US, and Babushka is sooo very thankful to live in this country, be blessed with the people in my life, and the countless moments of abundance I've had. For that reason I have joined with Macy's in their Heart of Haiti program, to give back to those who haven't been as fortunate. 

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

Five years ago this little girl was born and BB's world would never be the same.

Almost Five years ago Haiti was hit with a devastating earthquake, 

and their world would never be the same.

Flickr pics -Top Row:HaitiDamage  coolgeography.com.uk
haiti_earthquake  csmonitor.com, Cite Soleil by mellagi,haiti_earthquake  theengineer.co.uk

Like my granddaughter La Princesa, Haiti is also developing, learning to stand on its own. 

Pero tambien como mi nieta, like La Princesa, Haiti needs help in doing so.

Macy’s went to Haiti shortly after the January 12, 2010 earthquake and realized that despite the devastation there was an artist community that existed and was eager to bring their product to market. 

They launched a product line for sale at Macys.com and in stores (listed below) which to date has employed 400 artists. 

• Macy's Herald Square, Brooklyn Downtown, Metro Center, Chicago State Street, Northland Center, Seattle Downtown, Portland Downtown, San Francisco Union Square, Biltmore Fashion Park, South Coast Plaza Home, Mission Valley Home, Dallas Galleria, Lenox Square Mall, and Dadeland Mall. 

 When you employ one artist in Haiti, the entire community benefits. Over 500 artists employed benefitting over 3,000 members of their extended family.

To put this into perspective, the average Haitian’s annual income is only $400 – for a year!  Add to that, Haiti has an estimated 400,000 artisans (out of a 10M population) who rely solely on their handcrafted goods as a source of income. No other sector of employment even approaches such numbers.

Macy’s paved the way in helping to rebuild this important sector of the fragile economy. 

The paper mache technique - practiced by many Haitian artisans - involves sourcing old, cement bags - or other paper products - to tear apart and re-purpose with glue and paint to create this unique piece. 

The blue circle vase - made in Jacmel - is hand-painted and includes a glass insert for functionality. 

Babushka was given the Blue Circle vase to show and share here, and to say it is stunning is an understatement. The quality is buenisimo, the colors rich and bold. A treasure to wake to every morning; it's a true work of art in my bedroom. Quee?? Ok si, JU SO FONII, BB's a work of art too. Actually, as I said in the Oprah post, this vase reminds me of all the beauty in the world, and how Babushka can play a very important part in it.

And you My Beautifuls can be a very big part of it too.

When thinking of gifts, think of giving gifts that help others, especially those in need. 

Give gifts that give hope, a sustainable income to Haitian artisans.

 Giving back and paying forward is the way to start this Thanksgiving and holiday season.

Have a wonderful holiday My Beautifuls.

BB2U

Heart of Haiti can be found and followed on social media at @HeartofHaiti on Twitter andwww.facebook.com/heartofhaiti on Facebook. 

For additional information about how Heart of Haiti is helping the community, visit this page. 

Showcasing Love with HeART of Haiti

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!  It's February, the month of love- and for BB there's no greater love than mother love. Quee?  JU SO FONII!!!  Ok si, el café and chocolate come very close, especially during ::shudder:: puberty, but all in all, Babushka must say my trio have been and are the greatest loves of my vida.

Heart of Haiti Frame and Paperweight

river stone paperweight

 The S Sisters once again blessed BB with such symbolic gifts.  The frame pictured above is encompassing my loves by the same sentiment I've shared with them throughout their lives.  To give fully of oneself- in all one does, and to do it authentically. And like these hand chiseled paperweights, we shape and form our children with love, while they in turn become our grounding treasures.  

For those of you who've been following BB for awhile, you may remember my Mother's Day post  where I've always told my trio to "do everything with heart, from the heart."  I sincerely live by this motto and as you've seen by the last couple of posts, Babushka believes in the power of giving, helping and loving.  Thanks to the wonderful Heart of Haiti initiative my trio is being showcased with love, because each original piece of art is made by a Haitian artisan who gives of themselves fully.  I can think of no better way to show off my trio, and no better way to show global love than to help those who give of themselves. 

"Haitian artisans create beautiful one-of-a kind pieces for sale at Macys.com. This is an initiative Macy’s launched with the Clinton Bush Haiti fund and Willa Shalit – a philanthropic entrepreneur. Macy’s Heart of Haiti upholds the belief that “trade not aid” is a powerful way to create sustainable work and much needed financial opportunities."

Babushka hopes you go to their website, not just to see the wonderful creations, but to watch a video BB fell in love with.  The music, the colors, but most of all the sharing of the people. Their love of their art, their country, and of themselves.  Si, self love, self sufficiency-  the greatest lesson a mother can give her children. And the greatest love we can give to all.  

Love to you My Beautifuls, during the month of Amor and Always.

♥

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Although this post was in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Heart of Haiti, 

BB received no monetary compensation, just the above shown items and the satisfaction of knowing the cause is worthy of highlighting.  

Opinions and beliefs as always are mine, and as always, shared from the heart.