KADO

Marie Claude Joseph 47 passed away this morning, it is a very sad day for her friends and family who she left behind, the youngest is just five years old and her eldest daughter has been unable to walk since the earthquake.

She died after fighting cholera for a week. We thought she would be going home to her family today as yesterday she was stronger and walking around, but after everything she went through her heart stopped this morning, and Marie Claude left us.

We visited with her family this morning as they wailed and mourned the loss of such a precious, wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She has a large family, but they were very close. She had such an impact on all those around her with her gentleness, her loyal friendship, and her love that she freely gave. She was such a beautiful lady, always working hard for her family, singing joyfully, and smiling continuously despite the difficulties of life here. 

We will be helping with her funeral, and will try to continue to support their family (6 children and her husband) in the coming months in any way we can. If you want to help by making a monetary donation directly to her family you can, by sending it via paypal to naomi@kadogift.org, and we will see that it is delivered promptly. If you cannot support them financially please pray for them. There will be a funeral next Saturday as the family wanted to give her a Christian burial with a funeral service at her church.

We are very upset and will miss this lovely lady who brought light and love into so many lives. See you in Heaven Marie Claude.

Marie Claude is in hospital fighting cholera, please pray for this beautiful lady who is always so cheerful and helpful to everyone around her. I visited her today at the hospital making sure she was ok, and I found her looking very sick, but with a smile for us, and wearing her Kado shirt. She is such a precious woman, please pray for quick recovery for her, and protection for her family from cholera. 

Last Saturday we took a bunch of necklaces and metal work from Haiti to CBN’s 50th anniversary where we were able to set up a small tent for Kado Boutique. Thanks to everyone who came and supported us. All the profits went straight back to the Haitian ladies and gentlemen who handcrafted each item and extra money went back into buying more beads so they can continue to create. Thank you all for your continued support, and make sure you check out the latest designs on www.kadogift.org

This is Vernicia.  Her little boy Richard went to baseball practice on Sunday and was on his way to beg when David met him. We gave him some food, and asked how his family was doing.  He told us they didn’t have any food and he and his 6 sisters and brothers live in a tent near the OB office. So yesterday Vernicia started working with Kado. Unfortunately she can’t see very well so I will also try and arrange for her and Marie Claude, another lady we work with, to go see an optometrist here. Vernicia’s little boy Richard, had stepped on some glass a few days ago and has a really nasty wound on his foot that the Mayo doctors, working with Operation Blessing, were able to attend to. Hopefully, we can continue to help the Ladies of Kado support their families and themselves as they face the harsh realities of life in Haiti.

The Ladies of Kado are loving their new shirts we gave them the other day. They’re still working really hard to perfect the designs, and be even more creative. And now that they have jobs and uniforms it gives them even more respect within their communities here in Port Au Prince. I’m grateful to know these beautiful ladies, and help them support their families.

Had a little fun with this product shoot, using artworks by Walton Ford to display some of the recent works in the Kado Boutique.

Some sweet creations :)

This is Dorrisaint she started at Kado Boutique two days ago and has already made some really great pieces that look fantastic. Her daughter Adianne was very sick last year with a bone infection and sickle cell anemia. I travelled with her and her dad Pierre to Virginia Beach where Operation Blessing was able to get her free medical treatment. Dorrisaint is from a village in Haiti’s countryside and has 5 other children. Recently the entire family has relocated to Port Au Prince to continue to have access to treatment for Adianne. They were in desperate need of employment like so many, and luckily we were able to help her, by giving her an opportunity to work with Kado Boutique, and we are so excited to be working with her. 

Recently we have been making childrens mobiles combining both the Kado paper beads and Gabriel’s metal work. These beaded mobiles will be given as gifts to the children with special needs and limited mobility at Zamni Beni children’s orphanage. Operation Blessing has just completed their new dormitory and it will be wonderful to present each child a mobile of their own for their new rooms. Each beaded mobile costs about twenty dollars to make.  And if you would like to contribute to this project in any way we would greatly appreciate it. Please contact me via Facebook if you would like to.  

Olivia Wilde rocking a Kado necklace as a bracelet in Haiti

Just got to be part of Rosilia’s land purchase for her new home. 100 necklaces later and she has a piece of land for her and her 6 children. Kado is so sweet.

Here are some of the recent pieces that the ladies of Kado have been crafting. They’re doing a great job. And, on each label for the necklaces that we make from now on we’re going to put a part of the box from which the beads of each necklace/bracelet are made. 

Bead shopping in NYC for the Kado boutique the ladies love when I bring new beads for them to mix together and be creative with.  

Kado is moving ahead the ladies have got it and are making some great pieces. I have been in NY wearing Kado and getting lots of interest in the product. Am looking forward to growing this project even more when I get back to Haiti next week. Going to get some more ladies involved and see how far I can take them. Want to set them up so that they can work even when I’m gone with an online store and plenty of beads. If you have any beads you would like to donate please let me know and I’ll give you the details in how you can help these women and their families.

Providing an income for women in the developing world through beautiful jewelry made from recycled materials - Kado. Marie Claude sold both of the necklaces she made yesterday and just earned 45 dollars, a lot of money for a few hours work here in Haiti. Sure beats the pittance she would get for the back breaking work of hand cleaning clothes for other people in the camp.