HAPI
Haitian Artisans for Peace International (HAPI) is an initiative of The Advance that was co-founded in 2007 by West Michigan Conference Council on Ministries Staff Office Manager Valerie Mossman-Celestin and Paul Prevost, a former mayor of Mizak, Haiti.
It is a United Methodist Women-supported project that was founded as a fair trade artisan co-op focused on spirituality and creativity with a strategy of marketing the resulting art to support women’s economic development and empowerment. Women are most likely to invest in the education and health of the children, thereby breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
HAPI’s work extends into the community through community-based health care and programs for youth and its four major areas of focus are: economic opportunity, children, health, healing and wholeness, and building capacity. HAPI also responded to the earthquake with short-term food relief and ongoing housing assistance. Most recently, HAPI has extended ‘HAPIKredi,’ a microlending initiative to further stimulate entrepreneurial, economic activity.
HAPI shows people how to create economic opportunities but also is a community of encouragement. Meet the artists and browse the products on their web site. Advance Special #3020490 Read more...
Watch The HAPI Video