Maison D’Haïti
Haiti · Est. 1994 · Affordable
Maison d'Haïti is a fair-trade handmade kids and home label, founded in Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti in 1994 by Sarah Hackett. A retired nurse, Hackett first visited Haiti in 1992 as a volunteer with St. Boniface Hospital and launched a women's health clinic in 1994 through Haiti Projects. Realising that many local women had excellent sewing, knitting and embroidery skills, she started the Artisanat Cooperative in 1996, and Maison d'Haïti, meaning "House of Haiti", is the cooperative's brand. The collection includes hand-knit baby sweaters, cap-sleeve children's dresses, embroidered cotton batiste nightgowns, tea towels, cocktail napkins, aprons, pouches and jewellery. Every piece is handmade in Haiti by women artisans in Fond-des-Blancs. As a non-profit and a member of the Fair Trade Federation, Maison d'Haïti renews its verification every year, and proceeds go directly to the artisans. Its artisans earn on average 262% more than Haiti's national minimum wage, and Haiti Projects also runs a community library, a girls' soccer club and a beekeeping programme. Haiti Projects has become the second-largest employer in the region after the local hospital, providing income to nearly 100 women and their families.
