the apparent project {haiti}

my cuties decked out in their apparent project jewelry!

I received a box of happiness on my door step today!  Beautiful necklaces, bracelets, earrings, jewelry pouches, ornaments and key chains made by artisans in the Haitian Apparent Project.

I love the heart behind this non-profit agency.  They were made aware of the problem of child abandonment, realized that this was, in most cases, a direct effect of poverty, and set out to be a link in the chain to end that cycle!  And they're doing it!  They are training men and women in skills, employing them, and paying them a living wage for the work they do.

From the Apparent Project site:

We train each parent in a specialized skill, such as jewelry making, bookbinding, sewing, or another craft, building relationships along the way.Through addressing educational needs, homelessness, joblessness,nutritional problems, medical needs, and building emotionally and spiritually enriching relationships, we are trying to bring dignity and wholeness to the whole person, strengthening each to be a support and encouragement to others.

all images borrowed from the Apparent Project site

While the Apparent Project advocates passionately for the adoption of true orphans we also believe that preventing child abanonment by economically empowering Haitian families is the best way to rescue children. This is why we have created opportunities for impoverished parents to earn an income through our artisan program.

This is why we are called the "Apparent Project". We are trying to help mothers and fathers in poverty be A PARENT to their children. We are educating and taking care of street kids who don't have A PARENT. We are using media and the arts to make the needs of Haiti APPARENT to those who can help, and we are doing this all with the hope that the love of God will be made more APPARENT to those we humbly serve and that He will be known as A PARENT to the parentless. 


I read this and my soul says "yes".  This is the kind of work that I want to be a part of.  The hard work of redemption, of breaking the chains of oppression.  Of mamas and daddies getting to keep their babies while having the ability to feed them and clothe them.


If you would like to be a part of this work as well, would you consider going over to the Apparent Project website and seeing how you can help?  You can donate on a one time basis, on a monthly basis, or do some early Christmas shopping.  Or, maybe you would consider hosting a jewelry party?  It can even look less like a party and more like you putting out a message on FaceBook and your friends coming over and rifling through the box of happiness with you.  Trust me, this goodness is hard to keep to yourself.


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I was first made aware of the Apparent Project through my buddy Heather.  She and her husband Aaron work for an agency in Haiti called Heartline.  Heartline does amazing work, offering prenatal and postpartum care to women in Haiti.  They are midwives, breast feeding educators, and doulas.  And counselors, and pastors, and teachers, and surrogate mamas to their girls.  Right now Heartline is trying to build a maternity care center.  They have recently been entered into a contest to win a $50,000 grant.  Can you imagine how much that money will do to get them closer to their goal?  Wanna help them make it?  Would you please take a minute and head over to The Giving of Life site and vote for Heartline?  What an easy way to make a BIG difference in the lives of women and children in Haiti!  You guys are awesome!  Truly, you are!