Dear Chere:

Thank you for taking the time to send us your thoughts and concerns about our recent email on supporting the relief efforts in Haiti.

We did not send this email out lightly – in fact, we asked ourselves the question, “are we, as a business, exploiting this terrible tragedy”. Our conclusion was that we were not – and that our priority was to do our part in the relief efforts. We also agreed that this effort would continue beyond immediate relief work and long after the cameras had moved on – we would find a way to work directly with a group of talented Haitian artisans in the coming months and offer them an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Our mission as a business is two fold – to be healthy and financially viable so we can continue to strengthen our support for artisans in vulnerable areas of the world and to offer a humanitarian model for business that meets the challenges of humanity in crisis through direct and practical support for the wellbeing of its victims – whether they be refugees in Darfur, war widows in Afghanistan, survivors of genocide in Rwanda or victims of an earthquake in Haiti. We take this mission seriously and will always step up where ever there is a crisis in the world!

Supporting the efforts of partners in health in Haiti – through a % of the purchases of gifts made by talented artisans in other impoverished areas of the world – is not exploitive. Rather it is a reflection of deep and good work. We are proud to stand beside this global mission, knowing that in some small way, our efforts as a business have an impact on the lives of those in crisis.

Let us support each other through these compassionate gestures and celebrate the spirit of our shared humanity! For only together, can we make a difference!

Warmly,
Amber Chand