If Haiti has a Martha Stewart, it's Berta. Oh how I love this lady.
She has one of those rich, infectious laughs. She cooks the most amazing food, several dishes I was fortunate enough to enjoy. I walked through the hospital with her in Port-au-Prince as she sang for the patients, her singing voice as beautiful as her laugh. And if all this isn't enough, she even makes natural handmade soap. Yeah, I feel pretty lame compared to Berta. I told her she could write a book. Maybe I should work with her on that. A book full of Berta's recipes, songs, healing cures, soap recipes, etc.
Of course I cannot communicate with Berta now, but I don't need to communicate with her to know what she is doing. She is finding a way to laugh through her pain and tears. And she is helping. She's exhausting herself cooking and cleaning, singing as she goes. I'm sure she has a child, one of her own or someone else's, clinging to her every step of the way.
She sent me home with a big batch of her soap. I'd like to surprise her and use her soaps to raise some more money for their artisan group, Haiti By Hand.
What I wouldn't give right now for one of Berta's big warm hugs.
What a beautiful smile she has - full of joy and warmth. I'm so happy to see the Haiti goods fly out of the shop.
Posted by: Lorrie | 15 January 2010 at 11:16
God Bless Berta.
Whenever I see a list of places to donate to Haiti...I have been putting a link to your blog.
Posted by: Jeanelle | 15 January 2010 at 11:30
She's a beautiful lady---gotta love that smile. Do you know that she's o.k.?
Posted by: Carolyn Mallin | 15 January 2010 at 11:39
Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your stories and letting us be a part.
Posted by: Jennie | 15 January 2010 at 11:43
She's got a beautiful smile...and a beautiful heart to go with it. Hope you get another one of her hugs someday:)
Posted by: Leah C | 15 January 2010 at 12:12
what a wonderful woman... as are you... so glad to see those items selling quickly from the etsy shop... have my eye on pins!
Posted by: mary jane dodd | 15 January 2010 at 12:14
Your readers are lovely. I can't keep up. Every time I check the etsy shop, it's sold out! Wonderful. Keep posting, and I'll keep checking.
Posted by: Karen True | 15 January 2010 at 12:45
Yes, Berta is a special lady, you can just tell, her sunshine radiates! I would like to add my prayers
Carolyn ♥
Posted by: Carolyn | 15 January 2010 at 12:46
What a warm and beautiful smile and woman. I'm sorry I missed donating for one of the soaps, I bet they sold quickly! Prayers to Haiti and you for all you do, Rebecca. I have listed your blog on my blog. Thank you for inspiring us all.
Posted by: Rhonda | 15 January 2010 at 13:03
Missed again! Thanks for such a moving profile.
Posted by: Susan | 15 January 2010 at 14:47
I will visit her website....The joy in her face is beautiful...........
Jerri
Posted by: Jerri | 15 January 2010 at 14:48
Rebecca, thank you so much for all these posts. I love to "meet" these friends of yours. Your spirit ignites my heart to do and give more and more. I have been praying for Haiti this week, and thinking of you and how sweet it is of you to create the etsy shop. May you be much blessed, and may the beautiful people of Haiti recover. Please keep updating us and sharing. The smiles you share on their faces are so important right now. xo natalea
Posted by: natalea | 15 January 2010 at 15:35
What a beautiful soul;you can see it in her face! Thank you for sharing your new friends and their stories...so touching!
Prayers for Haiti!~ I will be checking back;
their stories are so profound!
I missed the soap sale, somehow i bet it went fast!
Thanks for sharing so much with us!
Posted by: Ellen | 15 January 2010 at 17:44
OH REBECCA! It just hit me that you had been in Haiti. I haven't been on the blog list for a few days and having been hearing the news without putting it together with your trip! I wish I had been able to help throught the Etsy shop but it was all gone by now. I will continue to enjoy your memories of the dear people you met. So happy you have had good news from your new friends there. We are all praying for those desperate people. Such sadness.
Posted by: debe | 15 January 2010 at 18:15
Thanks for sharing...lovely pictures and priceless memories...Berta looks like a wonderful woman and I could almost imagine her singing in the hospital. I linked up your blog to mine to get the word out. let me know when there are more items available.
http://everydaymoments-holly.blogspot.com/
Posted by: holly | 15 January 2010 at 23:34
Hi Rebecca. This is my first time visiting your blog, but it certainly won't be my last. Thank you for sharing all you do here.
I wanted to buy some of Berta's soap, but the shop is sold out. Would you happen to know of an etsy shop selling art for the earthquake? I'd love to donate some of my paintings.
Posted by: miz katie | 16 January 2010 at 06:41
Hello Rebecca, I am just writing to thank you for your posts about the people you met in Haiti. It brings a view into the hearts of the people that live there for those of us that try to imagine what it must be like there. On the news we don't really see the hearts of the people you know? I am so saddened by the earthquake there. I will keep praying, giving, and hoping that they will be able to rebuild stronger than they were before. Thanks for all you do to bring awareness. I have not left a comment on your blog before, but read it often and I am sure there are many many more out there like me that are seeing these posts of yours.
Here is a quote that I took from the Doctors without Borders website... I thought you might like to read it.
"Trying to catch people's attention to something so far removed from their daily reality which barely impacts them is hard. But if we cover all bases, we can make in-roads into their awareness." —MSF nurse Fiona Bass
xo Heather
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | 16 January 2010 at 12:41
Hi Rebecca,
I have been reading your posts over the last few days and you helped inspire me to have an auction on my blog to raise funds to donate. I mentioned your blog and the ETSY store in the same post. Thank you for sharing your experiences and those of the Hatian people you befriended. I hope I can help!
Warm regards,
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie Rubiano | 16 January 2010 at 12:49
Rebecca,
I ordered one of the Haiti Hearts, we hope and pray for the people of Haiti and your friends their.
I can't seem to have a full nights sleep, my mind is in Haiti and the idea of me in a warm bed makes me sad. Most of the day my eyes are full with tears ready to fall. But I know that won't help so I send a check to the Red Cross and that makes me feel only a bit better.Thank you for sharing your friends with us.
Fondly,
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa Higashi | 16 January 2010 at 13:11
Is there any way to donate directly to these people to help them get more supplies to continue making their art and producing income?
Posted by: GailM | 16 January 2010 at 16:56
What a beautiful photo of Berta. I will definitely be thinking of her and the others...
Posted by: Zita-Mlle Magpie | 17 January 2010 at 08:50
Hi Rebecca, your(pl.) book idea is brilliant. Raw talent mixed with necessity is a true gift. I'd love to buy a recipe book like this. maybe we can even pre-order to get the idea rolling? (It needn't even be glossy)
Posted by: caro | 18 January 2010 at 10:00
I know you'd love the peace of knowing she is okay. I'll be praying for Berta and asking that someday you will get to hear of her again...safe and well.
Posted by: phyllis | 28 January 2010 at 08:50