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Caribbean Crafts

HAITI

This marketing organization for Haitian craftspeople is headquartered in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital city. Caribbean Crafts (formerly known as Drexco) provides work at a desirable daily wage for about 400 artisans. Caribbean Crafts hopes to provide work for 2,000 artisans in the near future despite the current difficult circumstances in Haiti. The articles made by Caribbean Crafts are handcrafted from recycled or locally-produced material: the steel comes from used steel drums, the papier mache from cement bags, and the glue from the starch of Haiti-grown manioc, a tuber high in starch. Made from imported pigments, the paints are mixed in Haiti, and are guaranteed to be lead-free. The wood is imported because of the local problem of deforestation. Caribbean Crafts is a member of the International Federation for Alternative Trade.We purchase painted cut metal animal wall hooks and mirrors, painted wood animal bookends and door stops, and Christmas ornaments from Caribbean Crafts.

Although Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, Haitians have an abundance of spirit and pride. Overpopulation and oppression are countered by dazzling art and magnificent music.

Haiti was the first black republic; 95 percent of Haitians are black, 5 percent mulatto. More than sixty percent of Haitians live below the poverty level. Gated communities and open sewers form figurative and literal barriers between wealthy and poor Haitians.