The idea of sales brings mixed emotions in the US. We all have experienced the slick or pushy salesperson that simply wouldn’t take no for an answer, and then we felt ick afterwards. Yet at the end of the day, sales of different sorts are what makes many things happen. Sales of electricity, houses, cable, and more keep us comfortable in our homes. Sales of clothes and shoes keep us decent in public, feeling fashionable, and protected from the elements. Sales of food keeps our bellies full and satisfied. Some purchases fulfill basic needs, and some are indulgent. Yet, each sale provides a good or service, as well as a source of income for the one selling the item, whether in a corporate board room or a roadside stand.
And that basic form of supply and demand is universal throughout the world. The methods and monetary exchanges may look different in different settings, but the basic principle is the same. One person needs something. Another person has the thing in need. They come to an agreement and exchange goods with each other.
In Haiti, sales are a way of life. Most people get all their daily needs from the individuals selling them on the sides of the road, in their neatly lined and stacked spaces, showcasing canned milk, wrapped biscuits, fresh fruits and veggies, meats, toiletries, shoes, even bras, shirts, and pants are on display for sale as you travel the streets of Port-au-Prince.
The initial way that Apparent Project worked to empower Haitian families and provide income was through sales. And this continues to this day. Artisans create handcrafted jewelry, metal work, screen printed tees and bags, leather work, ceramics, and more. Each of these items crafted with care and love are brought to the US and then shipped throughout the entire country. For nearly 10 years people around the country and Canada have desired to purchase with purpose and share the stories of the artisans, creating sustainable income for artisans to provide for their families.
What once was simply seen as materials destined for the trash has been redeemed, given new life, and a purpose with great impact. A simple bracelet made from cereal boxes, or a keychain or wall hanging made from an oil drum, carries the power to transform the life of an artisan who was once begging on the side of the street for work. And you have the power to become a storyteller, inviting your community to be part of transformation on a global scale.
We invite you to become a storyteller and sharer of handcrafted items in your community through a party box or individual sales. Learn more about party boxes here: Apparent Project Party Box and order individual items here: Market Haiti
