Crafting Hope in Haiti’s Crisis: The Resilience of CAH Artisans
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Time to read 6 min
The streets of Port-au-Prince hum with tension. Where markets once overflowed with song, color and commerce, fear now shadows every corner. Armed gangs have tightened their grip across the capital, seizing control of over 80% of the city. Key infrastructure like the main international airport has come under attack. Families flee violence, hunger and uncertainty and number 1.3 million displaced and counting. From January to May 2025 alone, over 2,680 lives have been lost to gang violence.
And yet, amid the chaos, hammering continues as oil drums are pounded into suns and other handicrafts are produced.
In the heart of this turmoil, artisans are still creating.
This is the story of Comité Artisanal Haïtien (CAH), a beacon of dignity, tradition and hope in one of the most difficult environments on Earth.
Art in the Shadow of Crisis
Steel Drums and Spirit: A Culture Reimagined
One of the most iconic symbols of Haitian craftsmanship is the recycled oil drum. Once used to store petroleum or chemicals, these heavy, rusted barrels arrive in workshops battered and spent. But under the hands of CAH artisans, they become something else entirely.
First, the drums are sliced open, their metal flattened and sanded. Then, using chalk, artists sketch elaborate designs like vines, birds, suns and trees of life. With hammer and chisel, they carve each line with stunning precision, transforming waste into intricate wall art.
These vibrant metalworks are more than decoration. They are a declaration: Haiti may burn, but beauty will still rise.
A Legacy of Empowerment in Haiti
For over 50 years, CAH has nurtured Haitian creativity, not as charity, but as partnership.
From day one, CAH committed to returning all revenue (beyond basic overhead) directly to artisans. This model has helped communities in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel and beyond develop long-standing cooperatives rooted in mutual support.
CAH has provided more than markets. It's offered business training, literacy education and emergency assistance for health crises or disasters. In moments of personal tragedy - such as the 2010 earthquake or recent food shortages - CAH steps in with real, tangible aid.
Over the years, CAH has supported over 800 artisans working in 170 craft collectives. For many, it is their only source of income.
And in this moment of deep national despair, that income means everything.
Creativity as Resistance
Earlier this year, just as the situation in Haiti reached a breaking point, nearly 100 young artisans gathered at the Expo Jeunes in Port-au-Prince.
Despite the threats. Despite the roadblocks. They came carrying hand-painted tote bags, crochet dresses, sandals, organic soaps and jewelry. Their booths overflowed with energy, color and pride.
These weren’t just products. They were statements. Proof that Haiti’s youth will not be silenced. That the country’s creative engine still pulses, even under siege.
Ten Thousand Villages and CAH
A Partnership Rooted in Purpose
Since 1978, Ten Thousand Villages has proudly partnered with CAH to bring Haitian artisans’ work to global audiences. This is not just about selling products, it’s about sharing stories. It’s about recognizing the humanity, talent and courage woven into each creation.
Through a long-term commitment, fair trade pricing and storytelling platforms, Ten Thousand Villages supports CAH’s mission in meaningful ways. Together, we’ve empowered artisans and their families to sustain themselves during earthquakes, hurricanes, economic freefalls and now, one of the most dangerous chapters in Haiti’s history.
When you buy a hand-cut metal wall hanging or rustically beautiful bread board you’re doing more than decorating your home. You’re preserving a tradition. Helping to sustain a family. And standing for justice.
The Ripple Effect of a Single Sale in Haiti
A metal sunburst shipped from Haiti to your front door is more than a piece of décor. It’s the school fees for a child who would otherwise go without. It’s medicine for a grandmother. Food for a household. Hope for an artisan who sees no future outside his workshop.
Each product sold ripples outward, reaching not only the artisan but their community. In a place where basic infrastructure has collapsed, a steady sale means survival.
It also means dignity.
Haitian artisans are not asking for handouts. They are offering beauty with the pieces they create. Craft. Culture. They ask only for the chance to compete in a world that often overlooks them.
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
This isn’t just about Haiti. It’s about the global systems we choose to support.
Will we allow market instability and political chaos to erase centuries of tradition? Or will we stand by those who continue to create…even in the face of darkness?
Artisans in Haiti are keepers of cultural memory. Through their hands pass not just raw materials, but folklore, rhythm, faith and resistance. To lose them is to lose something irreplaceable.
We can’t fix the crisis alone. But we can be part of the solution.
Fair trade is not the whole answer. But it is a powerful act of solidarity. It affirms that artisans - no matter their geography - deserve safety, voice and opportunity.
How You Can Help
If you're wondering what you can do in the face of such immense suffering, here are three simple actions that matter:
1. Purchase with Purpose
Explore handcrafted Haitian goods on Ten Thousand Villages. Each item is ethically sourced and fairly priced, an investment in lives, not just products. Every dollar goes further than you can imagine.
2. Share Their Story
Social media is a powerful amplifier. Post a photo of your Haitian craft. Tag @tenthousandvillages. Use your voice to elevate theirs.
Let the world know that Haitian artisans are not defined by crisis, but by creativity, courage and contribution.
3. Support Fair Trade Year-Round
Keep artisans in mind not just during crises or holidays, but every day. Commit to conscious shopping. Tell your friends. Support brands that invest in real people.
We all have purchasing power. Let’s use it wisely.
In Closing: Crafting a New Chapter
Comité Artisanal Haïtien has weathered storms for over five decades; political unrest, economic hardship and natural disasters. And through it all, they have held fast to one truth:
Craft is hope.
Each cut of metal, each hammered design is a defiant act of imagination. It says: We are still here. We are still creating. We still believe in tomorrow.
At Ten Thousand Villages, we are honored to walk alongside CAH and the hundreds of Haitian artisans who craft not just products, but possibilities.
Together, we can help turn crisis into craft and hardship into hope.
Let’s keep Haiti’s heritage alive. One handmade piece at a time.
Explore Haitian-made goods from CAH at Ten Thousand Villages. Shop with purpose. Share with intention. Stand with the makers.
What is Comité Artisanal Haïtien (CAH)?
Comité Artisanal Haïtien is a nonprofit fair trade organization that supports Haitian artisans by connecting them with global markets and promoting sustainable livelihoods through handmade crafts.
How does CAH help Haitian artisans?
CAH provides artisans with training, access to raw materials, quality control assistance and fair wages. It helps artisans maintain income and dignity, even during times of national crisis.
How does buying from Ten Thousand Villages help Haiti?
Every purchase empowers Haitian artisans to rebuild their lives, support their families and sustain their communities through economic opportunity, even in times of political and environmental hardship.
Be Part of the Good
If you're inspired by the stories behind these products, there are many ways to support this movement:
- Shop Mindfully: Look for the Fair Trade Federation or World Fair Trade Organization logos. Sites like Ten Thousand Villages make it easy to shop by product, artisan group/country or material.
- Share Their Stories: The more people learn about fair trade, the more impact we can create. Share blog posts, artisan bios and product stories on social media.
- Gift with Intention: Whether it’s a birthday, holiday or just-because gift, choose handcrafted items that carry meaning and impact.
- Advocate for Ethical Brands: Let your favorite retailers know that sustainability and fair wages matter to you.
Denise Brossman
Copywriter, Editor and Content Manager
Summer gatherings are a time to celebrate connection, but they’re also a perfect opportunity to care for the planet and the people who make the things we use. At Ten Thousand Villages, we believe hosting can be both joyful and just - with simple, sustainable choices that make a meaningful impact. Whether you're planning a backyard brunch or a sunset picnic, embracing tips like reusing what you have, repurposing creatively and choosing handcrafted, fair trade goods helps reduce waste and support artisan communities around the world. It’s hosting with heart...and a little imagination.
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