Andeyò : Throwback on Mennen'm La Tours

Today, we are closing our Andeyò series and saying goodbye to summer with this throwback share by Ann-Sophie. Thank you for sharing all your Haitian summer memories with us throughout this series!

A few times during my coaching trips or events in the US, some people will ask me "How do you do it? How do you plan all this? Where do you even find the contacts or know where to start?" Recently, this question got me to talk (with teary eyes) about the real reason this comes easily to me now. Even though the format is different now, in essence, it is the same as what started it all. For about 7 years, I was taking people on tours almost all over Haiti. When I started Mennen’m la Tours in 2015, It was 100% focused on social tourism, meaning creating employments an d promoting social development through touristic activities.

Throughout this journey, Mennen’m La tours focused on touching some areas of Haiti that I deemed too beautiful not to be known by most people, sometimes we were the ones to install the first toilets there! Creating jobs by allowing locals to: rent rooms in their houses, give cooking classes, teach art classes, do storytelling (ti koze ak peyizan), and tour guests around places they called home: These beautiful and underdeveloped pairs of the country.

No need to say it came with huge challenges but also amazing memories. From the art classes in Jacmel, to the beautiful beaches of Ile à Vache, to the local peanut butter in Nippes, these tours truly allowed me to discover time and time again the beauty of this country!

Today, I may not be taking people around Haiti anymore but these souvenirs always bring a smile to my face and played such a big role in the person I am today.

All pictures were taken by Verdy Verna.

A collection of andeyò memories

In creole, the term andeyò means countryside, cities outside of the capital. In Haiti, most of us have many memories of the countryside mainly because we spend days/weeks there during the summertime. No better feeling than leaving the routine of Port-au-Prince, jumping in a car and smiling through the ride. From the big waves in Jacmel, the Citadelle in Cap-Haitian, the greenery of Miragôane or the delicious food in Gelé, the countryside of Haiti is the place for a lifetime of memories.

Enjoy this new series as different people share their favorite andeyò memories.

Happy Summer!

RÉGINE

My favorite Andeyò city? This is a hard question. I love so many places but my favorite place is an area of Cas calls Savane Perdue. It's in between Thomond and Lascahobas.

I worked there for almost 10 years along a man made lake that flowed from the peligre Dam. My favorite memory from there is eating the harvest, and getting lost amongst all of the stories that people told there. I even have a running list of "betiz" because I dream about being able to master Kreyòl that well.

ANNE -MARJORIE

My favorite andeyò city is Port-Salut . I was marked by it’s beauty the first time I visited it as a child , my parents and I went on a road trip in the south and when we got there we spent days at the beach playing in the most beautiful sand I’ve ever seen and collecting unique seashells that we brought back with us to decorate our home .

I have many great summer memories, one of them was my first solocation to port salut as a young adult when I had  the opportunity to spend days with local artisans and I got to co design woven bags with them ,some of them were fishermen as well. I ate lots of fresh sea food it was so dreamy. I would wake up before to sunrise to do my devotion while watch the fishermen on the water .

KATE

My favorite ANDEYÒ city would definitely be Jeremie and fav summer memory would have to be swimming in the river with my mama. Just her and I sitting on those smooth white rocks surrounded by palm trees and then driving back home on my motorcycle. That motorcycle and river made me feel so free" Real, raw, peaceful freedom.

We would love to hear about YOUR andeyò memories! Share with us in the comments section

Jude shares his favorite andeyò memory

Our ANDEYÒ series continues! Today, we are sharing this video rom Jude as he pours his heart out and shares what the city of Gwo Mòn means to him.

In creole, the term andeyò means countryside, cities outside of the capital. In Haiti, most of us have many memories of the countryside mainly because we spend days/weeks there during the summertime. No better feeling than leaving the routine of Port-au-Prince, jumping in a car and smiling through the ride. From the big waves in Jacmel, the Citadelle in Cap-Haitian, the greenery of Miragôane or the delicious food in Gelé, the countryside of Haiti is the place for a lifetime of memories.

Enjoy this new series as different people share their favorite andeyò memories.

Happy Summer!

Jerry shares his favorite andeyò memories

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE! Yes we are screaming because we love summer over here and we cannot wait to introduce you to this new series: ANDEYÒ. In creole, the term andeyò means countryside, cities outside of the capital. In Haiti, most of us have many memories of the countryside mainly because we spend days/weeks there during the summertime. No better feeling than leaving the routine of Port-au-Prince, jumping in a car and smiling through the ride. From the big waves in Jacmel, the Citadelle in Cap-Haitian, the greenery of Miragôane or the delicious food in Gelé, the countryside of Haiti is the place for a lifetime of memories.

Enjoy this new series as different people share their favorite andeyò memories.

Happy Summer!

My favorite andeyò city is Jacmel. The things that make it so special during the summer is the activities that they have on the seaside especially lakou new York. My favorite summer memory there is when my daughter had just turned one year old. I wanted to introduce her to life like that and give her opportunities to do fun things fun at a young age. Things that I didn't get opportunity to do myself. During summer, we went to the beach and the river everyday. I held her in the ocean to teach her how to swim and I loved these moments. Everyday we ate different seafoods with plantain or breadfruit and rice. Another great memory is climbing trees to get cacao and mangos

“During summer, we went to the beach and the river everyday. I held her in the ocean to teach her how to swim and I loved these moments.”

— Jerry

3 ways the HDC Makers Box is making a positive impact right now

Hi friends!

Amidst all of the chaos happening in our beloved Haiti, we’d like to give you a little update.

So far this year, there has been both some good and devastating news. The good news is that, we have joined forces with 2nd Story Goods! (Link 2nd story goods retail site here) The Haiti Design Co mantra is the well known Haitian Proverb, “Men anpil, chay pa lou” or “many hands make the load light”. We’re combining the strengths of both companies and putting our many hands together to continue to serve our customers and to continue bringing the makers of both brands to market!

The most devastating news is that, the week of March 11th, our horn and bone partner Boss André’s shop was vandalized. Most of their equipment was stolen and their main source of income was taken away from them. Many are asking for ways to support. We encourage you to give through https://www.gofundme.com/f/sos-haiti-solidarity-with-artists-artisans?fbclid=IwAR3ttujE-4kzLLzjHFj-gy7Qd4FUwvz5wgGVMGox2_s56SUrKmM4mG5Yd30, a collaborative effort that will go to support Boss André Paul as well as several other artisan workshops who are facing the same tragedy, to help them replace what was lost and rebuild their livelihoods.

In addition to this, we highly encourage you to support through our Makers Box! The Makers Box is your chance to get to know the team members better and receive an exclusive collection at a discount. Every 3 months, our subscribers receive a box spotlighting an artisan partner. The box includes 5-7 handmade products, a note from the artisan and a beautiful proverb card from our team. Now, more than ever, the artisans need our support and the Makers Box is one of the best ways to offer continued support.

1. The Makers Box is an effective way to sustain those who already have existing jobs that they depend on.

It unfortunately would not be realistic to say that we can create new jobs in Haiti right now. However, we can definitely empower those who already have their own businesses. So many talented artisans all around the country are not able to work because of lack of equipment, gang violence, lack of tourism in the country and more. By placing orders, we empower those who already have their businesses and workshops to keep going.

2. The Makers Box is a way to make sure Hait’s beauty is shared with the world.

In a time where the news is flooded with images of violence and disaster, it can be hard to hold on to the beautiful. When you subscribe to the box, each quarter, you will receive beauty right at your doorstep. You can share the handcrafted items you receive with your family and friends and post photos on social media to show a different side of Haiti. What a wonderful way of promoting the beauty of Haitian-made goods, at a time when it is so needed.

3. The Makers Box is an easy way to keep a piece of Haiti in your home and heart.

How many of you carry Haiti in your hearts even though you might not be able to travel there at the moment? The box includes 5-7 handmade products that each represent Haiti and tell a story. The Makers Box helps you keep Haiti alive in your heart through jewelry, leather, and other handmade pieces, and can serve as a reminder to think about and pray for her often. We hope this serves as a reminder that even when tragic things we see in the news feel out of our control, there are still things we can do that make a very real difference. We invite you to sign up for the Makers Box and support Haitian artisanal work! Men anpil, Chay pa lou. (Here we need to insert information about the makers box, how many times a year you get it and how much it costs and then a button to the page to sign up)