Like the Sugar in the Sweet Tea

Rose Estaline Ruffled Tank Top | Bottle Cap Fan Tassel Earrings | Vegan Leather Wristlet | All Made By Gift of Hope Haiti

“It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to good education.”
- Nelson Mandela

What is Summer fashion without tassels and ruffles? No, really? They are almost essential, and if you know the hands who made them, then that is the sugar in the sweet tea, the extra scoop on the ice cream cone, and the marshmallow over the campfire. These are the things Summer should be made of. Ethics and dignity for laborers are things the fashion industry should be made of. Fair pay should be the standard, not the exception.

There is so much injustice and tragedy happening in our homes, our cities, and in countries around the world. Scrolling through my news app on any given day leaves me feeling burdened and overwhelmed. Have you been there? I am, by nature, a problem solver. I was born to take action, but there are so many horrible things I can not do something about. The power is not in my hands to solve the problem. I cannot cure cancer. I cannot stop a war. I cannot bring an innocently killed child back to life. I cannot rescue young girls who have been kidnapped in Africa. But I have good news, there IS a huge injustice happening that I can do something about. You can too. It is something so big, it would have global impact that could in turn, solve many of these problems we ourselves cannot solve today. You see, where we spend our money, including where we choose to buy our clothes, jewelry, and accessories impacts poverty rates, and poverty is a major contributor to some of our biggest global issues.

A recent article from The Haitian Times, entitled “Cost of Living in Haiti 4 Times Higher Than Minimum Wage” just released the following information:
“Amidst Haiti’s dwindling economy, the apparel industry represents one of the few sources of formal employment in the country. However, despite the opportunities the sector provides for more than 50,000 people in the country, garment workers find themselves in poor working conditions and improper payment of wages and benefits, forcing them to forego basic living necessities.
‘The daily minimum wage for export apparel workers is more than four times less than the estimated cost of living,’ Lauren Stewart, a senior program officer at the Solidarity Center, wrote in The High Cost of Low Wages. The April 2019 report explores the impact low wages has on the livelihood of workers in Haiti’s apparel industry.
The daily minimum wage for export apparel workers is 420 gourdes or about $5.07. According to the report, workers, the majority of whom are women, are unable to purchase homes, devote resources to their children’s education, or invest in small businesses.”

Can you imagine learning a new skill just to work long hours under terrible conditions, earning barely over $5 a day? I can assure you after living in Haiti for the last decade, that the cost of living is not cheaper just because it is a third world country. To live a similar lifestyle that I would in America, with luxuries such as running water, 24/7 electricity, quality education for my children, a well rounded diet, working vehicles, etc. it is actually more expensive to live in Haiti. Since Haiti is on an island, much of what is consumed needs to be shipped in. From food, to gasoline, to textiles; everything comes with an increased rate to cover shipping and importation expenses. Lack of infrastructure as well as corruption, overpopulation, and minimal resources also contribute to high costs on even the most fundamental items. Living a lifestyle with basic human necessities and rights is not less expensive.

The average Haitian family is not living with 24/7 electricity or running water. They do not own their own car. Their food consists mostly of the basic staples of rice and beans with local spices and vegetables thrown in. They do not own their homes, and all too often, not all of their children are enrolled in school because there is not enough money left over after paying for public transportation to and from work, and eating. Education becomes a luxury out of grasp, even for children of the employed.

I am not sharing this with you because I read an article that shared these startling statistics. I am sharing this with you because I have lived with these families for the past ten years. I have received too many knocks on my door asking for help with food, shelter, and education from women who work in the garment industry. I used to love seeing “Made in Haiti” printed on the tags of clothing while shopping in global brand stores, but now I know the truth. Now I know that the hands who made them probably can’t send their children to school. They probably can’t afford their rent. They have probably been asked sexual favors from management.

This is not a world I want for my children, their children, or any family across the globe. But buying into fast fashion is telling the garment industry the opposite (fast fashion is a term used to describe inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends). Perhaps without even knowing it, your desire for cheap clothing to keep up with the latest trends is allowing, dare I say, encouraging unethical labor to continue. We need to be aware that our first world spending affects third world families.

Garment workers are some of the lowest paid laborers in the world. The human factor of the garment industry is too big to ignore. We need to educate ourselves. Despite global brands trying to minimize our connections to the makers of our clothing, the reality is that every piece of clothing you own was made by someone who was knit together by the same Creator who created you. The hands of people who Jesus came to die for created every piece of apparel in your closet. Many of whom do not share the same rights or protections that you do.

By continuing to purchase cheap clothing, we are intentionally or unintentionally telling the talented garment workers that our good deal is more precious to us than their family. Our spending is saying that our few dollars of savings is a greater priority than their livelihood.

They say knowledge is power, and I believe it. I want to help you gain the knowledge to realize the power we have to change the fashion industry together. I will be sharing more statistics and resources soon, but if you want to get started, check out:
World Report 2018 - Transparency in apparel industry
True Cost Movie Site

Or if you missed my past ethical fashion blogs, catch up on there here:
I Know Who Made It
Dressed With Purpose
Get Passionate
My Ethically Made Christmas

I believe our increased knowledge and actions can result in more children having access to a powerful education. Then they too can increase their knowledge and become equipped to break the cycles of poverty.

Let’s use our voices and purchases this summer to reflect this belief. Are you with me?

His Kingdom come, His will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. ⠀
⠀