On January 12 2010 our world and lives changed. Most saw everything they had worked for their entire life disappear in 35 seconds. Some lost their lives… All our artisans are living in street camps, with no other protection against the elements than a bed sheet. Luckily for us there has been no rain since the quake. But the rainy season is not far away.
The earthquake that almost completely destroyed Port-au-Prince hit the world media like a stone - but we know that will be temporary... In a few weeks or days it will be replaced by other events. What is important now is to focus some of our attention to rebuilding. The humanitarian crisis is not over yet and we still have our share to do there. But there will be another crisis if we do not start working on the future.
With the economic crisis that hit the world, Caribbean Craft has been fighting hard to keep all its workers for the last 2 years. We invested a lot to expand our activities; we went directly to the customers’ doors, and we designed totally new collections to access new markets. It was a tough challenge but we loved it, and we started to see great results by the middle of 2009 and especially with the NYIGF in August 2009 and Atlanta show in January 2010.
Now the fight has to be refought. This fight will be at the same time easier and harder. Easier because we have the clients, the markets, the know-how and the good will of all. The designs are there, the orders are waiting to be produced. Harder because we do not have the place to produce them as efficiently as before. Our 40,000 square feet building has been deemed totally unsecure. We will have to micro manage production in several small places: in a 8000 square feet covered place near the airport that will serve as stock and offices, in a tarp covered open space – at least until the hurricane season starts – next to these offices, and at a one hour drive from the airport, in our backyard court under a 2400 square feet tent.
This solution is only temporary: we need to find a place to resume our work as before. Or better than before. The challenge will not only be to get a great product in the market. It will also be to be able to produce enough, and at a reasonable price, to satisfy the demand. All the big buildings in Port-au-Prince are either already occupied, heavily damaged or in rubbles. We will thus need to build a new facility of at least 30,000 square feet as soon as possible. We found a terrain, worth $250,000.00, at a suitable location next to the airport, which could accomodate the new facility. We contacted several building companies and chose an offer from MBMI.BIZ
We have prepared a plan detailing what we want to do and how we will achieve it. You can download it there:
http://www.caribbean-craft.com/2010/Caribbean%20Craft%20Reconstruction%20Project%202010.pdf
The short term plan focuses on resuming production as fast as possible. To achieve this we need to help our workers who have lost everything - up to now we know of 25 of them in this tragic situation and we also need to help those who still have something left: they do not have enough to pay for the trip to get to work or to buy food. As said above, we lost our workplace and need to find tents, tarps and a warehouse for our stock and offices. Our truck was damaged during the earthquake and needs to be replaced to go from one place to the other…
For the long term the investments will be very heavy. Time wise, work wise and money wise. The first two we will manage. The money is something else…, we will need all the help we can get. Several of our clients have already contributed generously, either in cash or in loan promises. Several others have promised to help by giving as many orders as they can. Others want to send food, tents, and blankets for our workers (but the logistics for sending these to Haiti is not obvious).
If you want to help us, sending a check to our NY Bank account is the best way. Every cent will be useful. Please note that whatever gift you send us is not tax deductible. If you want your donation to be used for a specific part of the plan please note it on the check.
Thank You.
Magalie and Joel
Make checks payable to:
West Indies Exporters
a/c No 1705-218-4
and sent to:
West Indies Exporters
c/o M&T Bank
350 Park Ave,
New York, NY 10022,
USA,
If you would rather make a wire transfer: ABA No 022000046; SWIFT code MANTUS33
