The Haitians have experienced multiple natural disasters as well as government situations that hinder economic progress and threaten their wellbeing in a variety of ways. To help them combat these obstacles, Haitian Connection sponsors several programs:
Women’s Houses
When Haitian Connection was founded in 2005, our primary efforts were directed at providing human and physical resources to a variety of educational projects. With the January 12, 2010, earthquake, our focus changed somewhat, and we started our project of building houses for women with children. The idea is to provide women and their children with a secure, safe place to live. Nobody can take that away from them, and it is a life-changing gift that the women never dreamt could become a reality.
Each house has three rooms, a latrine, and a veranda. Eight to ten people find employment during the construction of the home. It allows the women to start a small cottage-type industry, and, most important to them, with the money earned they can now send their children to school.
In 2018, we added a biosand filter which provides the family clean drinking water year round.
Microcredit
With our housing project, we provide women and their children with a safe place to live, but we also see the need to offer them some income generating activities. With a grant from the Espera Fund of Mary’s Pence, we started two microcredit groups for the communities in which we have built houses. The women’s groups in both communities determine the rate of interest borrowers pay and maintain an account for the group with Fonkoze. This is a rolling fund; as loans are paid back, funds become available for further loans.
Micro Enterprises
Women have established their own micro-enterprises; they sell foods such as flour, oil, spaghetti, bread, and soft drinks, as well as lumber, locally brewed rum, and cosmetic items. With their micro enterprises, they feel they have received more respect in the home, and they are able to send all their children to school.
Goat Project
Haitians needed to restore the livestock that had been completely wiped out by hurricane Matthew. We primarily focus on women, so we worked on this with a women’s group in Paroty, a community outside of Jeremie. We provided the funds for the purchase of 30 goats and an official contract was signed. Naturally, the program grew as the goats multiplied.
Literacy Program
Basic reading and writing skills are necessary for any progress, especially for women who are involved in commercial activities.
We began our literacy program in Latiboliere, one of the communities where we have built houses for women and their children and also have a micro-credit program. Three women from the women’s group served as instructors for that program. Now there is great joy when a woman conducting business can sign her own name.
Haitian Connection 