Written by Vi Bella COO, Mia D'adesky Chipps

Our hearts are breaking as we mourn the loss of our dear friend, Gerard. His passing has left a deep void in our Vi Bella family, where he was cherished for over a decade as an incredible artisan and a beloved member of our community.

Gerard embodied the essence of kindness, as reflected in the quote: "Each act of kindness is like a drop of heaven, creating ripples of joy and love, bringing a bit of heaven on earth." He dedicated himself tirelessly and selflessly to bringing hope and joy to others. Gerard's actions helped those around him feel a deeper sense of belonging, purpose, and love, thus creating a small but significant slice of heaven on earth.

As we reflect on Gerard's life, we remember his unwavering loyalty, kindness, humility, and his readiness to learn and assist in any way possible. He was a father figure to our younger artisans and served as our jewelry manager for many years, leaving a lasting impact on our community. Recently, he led a team of our artisans to Pignon in the central plateau of Haiti, where they taught new Vi Bella artisans to make jewelry.

Gerard's beautiful smile and determined spirit will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in our hearts. His work to bring better jobs to people in his community and his kindness to his coworkers will continue to inspire us.

While we grieve his loss, we find solace in believing that Gerard is now enjoying his heavenly reward. We ask for your prayers for his family and friends during this difficult time, and we hold onto the hope of being reunited someday.

 Rest in peace, dear friend Gerard; you are dearly missed and loved. We take comfort in the words of Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."