EcoVentures: Made to Love

Posted on Jul 6

Shop for a Purpose at Made to Love in Hamilton

Spearheaded by Shari Miller and Tony & Christin Harris, Made to Love buys Haitian-made items from local artisan markets and co-ops. This creates long-term, well paying and sustainable employment. Profits generated from Made to Love are used to create education opportunities for Haitian children.

First Trip to Haiti

In 2010, the trio made their first trip to Haiti as part of a mission trip after a catastrophic earthquake had ravaged the country. Little did they know that this life-changing journey would serve as the foundation for a much larger initiative that would ultimately change their careers and the communities throughout Haiti.

The Beginning of Made to Love

Upon returning to the United States, the friends had one simple goal: find a way to send the Haitian kids to school. As young moms, Christin and Shari felt devastated to learn that Haitian kids don't go to school for free; all education is private which is very hard to attain for many families in Haiti.

To raise funds, they began creating and selling t-shirts to sell at craft shows and pop-up shops. With word-of-mouth marketing, they had raised enough money to create educational funds that were desperately needed. However, they saw that their reach could be greater and that they needed to expand their vision. The goal became less about sending funds, and more about helping to create opportunity and generational-growth.

Where There is Opportunity, There is Hope

Shari, Tony and Christin realized after their journey that the people of Haiti needed the love and support that would build them up and guide them to be sustainable and self-sufficient. This led them to the name, "Made to Love." The heart of this mission is to make a difference by showing love, building hope and restoring lives through education and job opportunities.

Education Can Change the World

Made to Love worked with Charye Village Leader, Estime Odilon, to build schools in the village for over 300 kids. He is also the leader of OCDM (Organisation De Devloppement Contre La Misere)— a Haitian organization that works with educational development, agriculture and reforestation.

"It has always been important to know that if something were to happen to Made to Love, the school would still exist," says Shari. "We've built buildings that will be there forever."

All of these pieces together helps to build sustainability. They also partner with other non-profits in Haiti to help feed children, provide medical care, and more.

Made to Love

In 2015, they opened their brick and mortar shop, Made to Love. The team says the backbone of their organization is their many wonderful artisans and partners — everything you find in their shop is sourced directly. Almost all of the Haitian products sold in the shop are environmentally sustainable because they are reused and repurposed — the quilts made from clothing sold on the streets of Haiti.