I first traveled to Haiti with my company Everywhere and a diverse group of writers and bloggers that eventually adopted the name Bloggers4Haiti. During our travels we met with artisans and others involved in the Heart of Haiti cause campaign that we support. Willa Shalit, a socially conscious entrepreneur, is often our leader on the ground and visits Haiti many times a year to help with her many altruistic ventures. She had heard of a group of women that were living in a ravine. They called themselves OFEDA, which stood for Organisation des Femmes Devouees en Action (Translation: Organization of Women Devoted to Action).

Needless to say, we liked the sound of these women devoted to action. We were told they had nothing. Before the earthquake the women of OFEDA were merchants and savvy street vendors who operated stalls on the bustling roadways of Port-Au-Prince selling food and goods. The earthquake took more than 220,000 lives that day, it also took the livelihood of countless others.

All inventories had been destroyed. The women came together for security, support and to encourage each other to live with hope and possibility. The women in the camp range in age from 18 to 82 years old and now three years later they number two hundred strong. Each and every one of the women pooled their resources to help create what would become OFEDA. One of the women had a very fragile, old book of embroidery stitches from which she taught the other women how to do embroidery.

I was with Willa as she explained to them that by embroidering cards they could use less thread and paper would be a cheaper supply to buy. The women eagerly began to brainstorm designs and other resources they could use. I was stunned by their business acumen. By starting a business together they hoped to find a way out of the tent camps, reclaim their lives and continue to move forward with security and dignity. They have since launched a product line designing handmade greeting cards and soaps. The conditions under which they work are extremely challenging.

The women have been working in the tent camp battling extreme heat and torrential downpours in an unstable environment. Safety is also a concern as the women work out in the open and are vulnerable to violence and theft. They continue to persevere and thrive against all odds.

Their tenacity, strength and positivity inspired us all. Recently, through a generous donor they have secured the funds for an office but need the supplies necessary to be able to take advantage of the opportunity it will provide them. The #bloggers4haiti collective has created a campaign, to raise money to give OFEDA the supplies they desperately need for their new office. They need everything from furniture, to a computer, to a night guard and these funds will go a long way to ensuring these women have what they need to grow their business.

Find out more about their products at OFEDA.com and spread the word by sharing this campaign with your followers and networks.