Ibulliance: A Message from Haiti: Emergency Relief for the Women of Bien Abyé

Dear friends,

Last month, Ibu awarded a $4,500 emergency grant to Bien Abyé, our artisan partner in Haiti led by designer Dayanne Danier. The grant—$3,000 in emergency relief for food, water, and medical care, and $1,500 toward rent—came at a time of urgent need.

Port-au-Prince has grown increasingly dangerous. This grant came in the midst of alarming unrest and instability. Gangs have seized control of the roads. Prices for basic goods have skyrocketed. And yet, the women of Bien Abyé continue their work, quietly, cautiously, and with extraordinary resolve.

 

Bien Abyé is home to 65 artisans across two regions of Haiti. They create handbags, accessories, and home goods through intricate beading and embroidery, work that feeds families, educates children, and builds dignity and strength amid uncertainty. The brand draws inspiration from Dayanne’s Haitian heritage and reflects her belief in embracing beauty in every part of life.

I had the joy of meeting Dayanne this past March during our Waka Waka festivities. She’s one of those rare people you instantly feel at ease with—warm, open, full of light. At one point, she sat in our showroom with a sewing machine, casually making herself something to wear to the event, as if conjuring beauty out of thin air was second nature. The vibrant piece she created and the matching headband—are both signature elements of the Bien Abyé collection, stitched with joy and fierce creativity, even in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Since 2020, we’ve stood with Dayanne and her team through times of profound challenge–beginning with a small emergency grant, followed by $22,400 in 2021 to support recovery after the earthquake that impacted more than 65 women and their families. In 2023, your generosity helped fund a $5,000 grant to stabilize operations amid growing unrest. Because of your support, these women have not only endured–they’ve continued to create, to lead, and to rise. This most recent emergency grant is a continuation of that promise: to walk beside them still, offering not just aid, but steadfast partnership through every chapter. 

At Ibu, we often talk about the power in women’s hands. What we see in this moment is the power in YOUR HANDS. Offering relief, anchoring hope, and keeping the lights on when it matters most.

If you’re moved to be a part of responding to this crisis in Haiti, please join us by contributing your hope and solidarity. 

With gratitude,
Grace Hamilton
Director of Mission Engagement