Rosena Derima’s CLM Story in lower Northwest Haiti We’re sharing stories from the field. Accounts from Fonkoze CLM members as told by the staff in the field. This story is adapted from by Steven Werlin, Fonkoze CLM staff member living in Haiti. This is Rosena’s story. Rosena Derima lives in the hills of northern Bedeyenn, […]
Message from Haiti with Carine Roenen of Fonkoze Foundation
Fonkoze Foundation has operated in Haiti for the past 30 years. Executive Director, Carine Roenen, gives an update and shares information about the work of Fonkoze in Haiti and the context of the poverty alleviation and development work despite the existing challenges. We encourage you to watch this video and learn more about Fonkoze programs […]
I Don’t Need Charity, I Need Work: How Fonkoze’s Ultra-Poverty Program Helps Haitian Women
Saincia Eric Tranquille Before Saincia met the case manager who would guide her through Fonkoze’s Chemen Lavi Miyò (Pathway to a Better Life), Saincia was living in ultra-poverty. “When it rained, I used to wrap my baby in a plastic bag,” says Saincia. “I slept where I could with my children—sometimes under a tree.” […]
10 Years Later: CLM Graduate Elsie and Her Son Kervenson
Elsie and Kervenson In 2013 and 2014, while Elsie was in the Fonkoze CLM program, the staff discovered an issue with her young son, Kervenson. He couldn’t attend school due to what Elsie believed was severe back pain, causing him to slump forward, supporting his weight on his hands. Concerned about a four-year-old experiencing such […]
Marie Yolène Néus
A Fonkoze-empowered client for over eight years, Marie Yolène Néus from Sorel, Haiti, says, “With Fonkoze, I continue to grow personally and professionally. As a businesswoman, I’ve learned a great deal over the years and am grateful for this.” Marie participates in Fonkoze’s social franchising health program, Boutik Sante, which brings much-needed health products, education […]
Chelene Belamour
Chelene Belamour lives in Paulette, a small village near the northeast coast of Haiti. Before becoming a Fonkoze-empowered micro-entrepreneur, Chelene had fallen into ultra-poverty (the most extreme form) due to two unfortunate events: the death of her mother and her son breaking his leg. The funeral costs and medical fees, respectively, were all it took […]
Anthonise Jean-Michel
Anthonise Jean-Michel wants nothing more than to be able to provide a good life for her 5- year-old son, so that he will be able to create a promising future of his own one day. Unfortunately, her former position as a kindergarten teacher did not allow her to do this. “It was difficult to get […]
Anne Marie Albert
Anne Marie Albert has been a Fonkoze-empowered Ti Machann (Market Woman) for over 25 years – nearly the entirety of the organization’s existence. Throughout the years, Anne Marie has made much progress and has learned a great deal about what she is capable of achieving. Prior to joining Fonkoze’s core micro-lending program, Solidarity, she and […]
Marie Ange Septembre
On a narrow dirt road that leads to the Dominican Republic border from Mirebalais, Haiti, lies a bustling market filled with patrons and vendors of all kinds. To navigate through the crowded scene takes a bit of finesse and agility as virtually every square foot of the market is being utilized. The rich aroma of […]
Rosenie Daniel
“I don’t have a husband,” says Rosenie Daniel. “Fonkoze is my husband in a way,” she smiles. As a Business Development-level Fonkoze client, Rosenie has access to empowering micro-loans and accompanying development services (e.g., business skills training, one-on-one support and guidance) to grow her small retail food operation. The relationship Fonkoze has with its clients […]