I have "a shop in a box" to provide support for education programmes and local artisans in Haiti. The suitcase and several boxes beside originate from a series of trips I have made to Haiti over the past eight years to visit my friend Sr. Rosemary Fry, CSJ and, more recently, also her friend Sharon Gaskell in Cap-Haitien in the north of the country. You can read about Sr. Rosemary's work at the Sacre Coeur Centre at www.csj-to.ca and Sharon's at www.StarthrowerFoundtion.org. Both missions provide funding for education programmes for children and young people who would have no opportunities without this help. Last year, with Sr. Rosemary home during the busy fall session, was our most successful to date. We were able to donate $2000, sharing it between the two programmes, and to retain sufficient funding for further purchases with which to continue supporting local artisans and educational programmes.

Haiti has long been internationally famous for its art work including masques, voodoo flags and metal work. There is virtually no tourism in Haiti, which has allowed so many of the islands to upgrade their living standards, due to political unrest and lack of infrastructure. It also means there is no local market other than folk visiting NGOs like myself and various peacekeepers. This is particularly so in the north which is largely cut off from the rest of the country by poor roads.

On my first visit, I returned with cards from two groups Sr. Rosemary was supporting. One group is made up of young women who have graduated from a domestic science course that includes embroidery. The other is a co-operative where young men learn to carve bannico, the bark of the banana tree, - a common craft throughout the Caribbean. Both sets of cards depict local scenes and many are works of art in themselves.

There is always a large range of Christmas cards. On subsequent trips, I visited the craft market that has been set up in small huts (now very weather-beaten) along the pier. This has made it possible to extend the inventory considerably. On both occasions, I appeared to be the only person with money in my purse, somewhat intimidating but also tragic as there were so many interesting things to buy.

From purchases during visits, I have sold a lot of metal work, mostly brightly painted; some serviceable items, such as pencil and napkin holders; ornamental items, some of which are decorated, the favourite being brightly painted geckos sought after to decorate garden walls and children's bedrooms; wooden objects, some painted and others intricately carved. Though there is much impressive art, I do not have Sharon's great eye for it and have not invested there. Sadly the embroidery purchases have not sold too well, but I will take orders for table linens and clothes. I always wear my own skirt as an example at sales. Other things include masques, traditionally dressed dolls and delightful crèches - the characters stored in a coconut barn. In between my visits, Sr. Rosemary and her visitors come home with laden bags to keep the project running.

I take my suitcase wherever I find a friendly crowd. I will be at Metro Hall in Toronto for the third year in the corridor on the west side of the building on Thursday, October 22nd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Do come and visit. If you wish to host a party in your home or belong to a group who would be interested in having a closer look at what's in the suitcase, and in-cidentally learning more about Haiti, contact me at gaythomson@rogers.com. As we approach the holiday season, think of giving twice this year - buy where your money goes directly to support those who have so little. There are many outlets, the best known being Ten Thousand Villages with branches throughout the country and in Toronto, the International YWCA shop, now in the Sobey's Mall at St. Clair East and Yonge Sts. It carries our cards and many other items from all over the world as well as Canada.