January 21, Journal Entry ~Benjamin In the ayewopo (airport) now, waiting for our flight back into the states. Because of the love and concern of many, we were able to fly down at the last second, getting the last 2 seats on the flight from Miami to Port au Prince. This quick trip was much […]
January 19, 2015 Lovin’ Soap Project Journal Entry ~Benjamin Today was the first full day up in the mountains of this quick, impromptu trip to Haiti. Mizak is a small village that sits in a vast area of mountains and valleys outside of Jacmel, a large port city on the Southern coast of Haiti. It […]
Benjamin and Amanda of Lovin’ Soap Project are back in Haiti to work with the soap artisans of OFEDA in Port au Prince and HAPI in Mizak. Today was with OFEDA at the camp. We found out earlier this week that the women of OFEDA, who are currently living in a tent camp, will soon […]
“The Place Where Projects go to Die” Since I first began traveling to Haiti, I have heard more than a few people refer to her as the “place where projects go to die.” But why? I’m sure there are many reasons, however I believe there to be three at the core: Travel Cost Even though […]
On January 12, 2013 Marla Bosworth and I went to Haiti to teach the first soapmaking workshop to OFEDA. Blog post here. Since then I’ve been back several times, along with Benjamin Aaron, to help OFEDA continue setting up their business. January 12, 2014, Benjamin and I were back in Haiti working with OFEDA on […]
Amanda and I were back in Haiti to work with HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International) in Mizak, Haiti. A special THANK YOU to Paul Prevost and his staff at Peace Inn for a warm welcome and comfortable stay. A quirky and fun-loving sense of cooperation is the best way to describe how the women’s […]
On January 12th, 2013 we went and taught the first soapmaking workshop to OFEDA, Organisation des Femmes Devouees en Action. OFEDA is a group of amazing haitian women who banded together after the earthquake to form an organized group. As a group, they met to discuss issues, to support each other and to make plans […]
Since this past week was Thanksgiving, I’ve been reflecting on the things that I am thankful for in my life. January 12, 2014 will be the four year anniversary of Haiti’s deadly earthquake. It also happens to be the one year anniversary of when Marla and I first went to Haiti to teach soapmaking to […]
“I want our soap to be a national product!” Amanda has been teaching and assisting the women of OFEDA since January of this year. Before this trip, I was with them for just one full day as a Workshop Lead. So going without Amanda felt a bit intimidating at first, but those qualms quickly subsided […]