Haiti tannery sets up relief fund
Haiti-based tannery Hawtan Leathers/Cuirs Hawtan has set up a fund to help victims of the terrible earthquake that struck on January 12.
Despite being at the epicentre of the quake, the tannery, and its staff were unharmed. “It is really an incredible story, one of survival and hope and triumph amidst the tragedy,” said co-owner and CFO, Lisa Gallagher.
However, she points out that many people and businesses have not been so lucky and need all the help they can get. Co-owner, president and CEO, Dan Gallagher was on his way back from the tannery to his hotel when the earthquake struck. He was unhurt and was even able to get emergency aid to the tannery just seven days later over the border from the Dominican Republic.
The Cuirs Hawtan Haiti Relief Fund aims to provide resources for the tannery’s 100 workers and more than 100 hide/skin collectors so that they and their families can start rebuilding their homes and lives.
“We at Hawtan have truly been blessed to survive this tragedy with minimal damage, in view of the horrific destruction that surrounds our factory,” Mr Gallagher said. “I had discussed with my wife during the week about setting up this fund. We are an integral part of this community and, understanding their culture, who better to get aid distributed than Cuirs Hawtan. The destruction to my factory workers homes is just mindboggling!”
He continued: “Literally every day there is another tragic story and this will not change for the foreseeable future. Cuirs Hawtan is here for a reason and we believe that is not just for trying to make the best possible leather for our customer (which I promise we will especially with our new technician, Patrick McCaffrey) but we are here to [provide] aid in this relief effort.”
