The Process

In Haiti, a small pouch of water, sealed on all 4 sides, containing about 4 oz of water, can be purchased for approximately 4 US cents. While this has created a distribution of clean water for consumers, there remains a problem with disposal of trash on this island nation.

The typical placement of the water bag after consumption is right here - - - on the ground. With no organized trash collection, people have few other options, and have not been taught a better alternative.

First, the water bags are collected. The community in Delmas 33 is learning not to discard their water bags onto the ground, but rather to bring them to various PeaceCYCLE team members who are collecting them. Once collected, the bags must be cut as to allow them to lay flat.

All water bags are then washed and sanitized.

Each piece (of former garbage) is then laid out to dry.

Various brand of trash must be sorted, and piles of 4 matching pieces are arranged for ironing.

Due to lack of electricity, the iron is such that it has a cavity in which charcoal is inserted. The four pieces are ironed together to create one final piece.

Once the new piece has cooled, a pattern is traced, and then cut to create patches of equal size.

The pieces are then sewn into various products, using scrap material from school uniforms as the binding. We use a treadle sewing machine.

Then, friends, we have a final product.

Then, friends, we have joy!

Then, friends, we have pride.

We have empowerment.

We have success.

We have productivity.

We have PEACE!