Hope Amid Crisis in Haiti 

Haiti, often referred to as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and one of the poorest in the world, has long been plagued by crisis. Political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and natural disasters have hindered development and created an unrelenting cycle of challenges.

Economic hardship remains pervasive, with nearly 59 percent of the population living below the poverty line, facing multi-dimensional poverty, with limited access to essential services like healthcare and education. 

The current crisis in Haiti has further deepened the struggles faced by Haitians. In the face of such adversity, it can be easy to question the presence of hope. As I read through the news headlines, I can’t help but look back on my visit to Haiti in 2019, when I was able to witness hope firsthand. 

A Pathway to Transformation in Haiti 

During my visit, I experienced an up-close look at Opportunity International’s program called Pathway to a Better Life. Pathway to a Better Life is an ultra-poverty graduation program led by our partner Fonkoze, which models the program pioneered by BRAC. It focuses on the regions of deepest poverty and the most marginalized women and families. 

Often, chronic ultra-poverty creates a trap that is difficult for women and their families to escape without extra support to build confidence and life skills. Through the Pathway to a Better Life program, trained case managers work with women through an intensive, 18-month process to help them build sustainable livelihoods and the skills needed to create a better life for themselves and their families. 

A Beacon of Hope 

Dieumanuel was one of these case managers, and during my visit, I had the privilege of following his journey.  

Our slightly beat-up SUV turned off the highway onto a dirt and gravel road, heading into the hills of rural Haiti. The further we travelled, the rougher the road became, eventually no more than a dirt path. 

We crossed through the waters of a rapidly flowing creek and bounced our way over small boulders and mud until we could go no further and had to cover the remaining kilometre or so uphill on foot. By this point, I marvelled that Dieumanuel, and other case managers, made trips like this every day of the week by motorcycle. His commitment to serving clients inspires me to this day – a vivid picture of hope amid adversity! 

We eventually came to the home of Estimemé. It was a simple rustic structure with a recently installed tin roof that kept the rain out. A mother of seven, with five still at home and a couple of grandkids, she supported a large family. 

They had been struggling on the thin edge of survival when she was invited to join the Pathway to a Better Life program. When I met her, she had been a program client for eight months. 

After receiving the initial program training and weekly sessions with Dieumanuel, she was now engaged in several enterprising initiatives. She had three goats, some chickens, and ducks. She also bought and sold rice, wheat, and oil in the market. 

One of her goats was killed when kicked by a buck – as with most clients, things aren’t always smooth, with many challenges along the way. However, as the surviving animals gave birth, she kept some to grow her asset base and sold others to pay for school tuition, uniforms, and books. 

She also joined a Village Savings & Loan Association, where she managed to save about 50 Haitian Gourds each week from her market business. She was saving to buy a pack animal, such as a donkey or a horse, to help transport goods to market. 

I saw a quiet confidence and pride in the eyes of this tenacious grandmother. But what brought her the most pride — and she absolutely delighted in showing us — was that she had learned to sign her name! 

We bid her farewell and walked back to the SUV. As we embarked along the bumpy terrain, a tire inevitably gave out. We waited in the shade of a tree at the bottom of a hill for another vehicle to come and help repair the tire. We watched a steady stream of people carrying large sacks of avocados on their heads, on donkeys and horses, or loaded onto motorcycles in ways that defied physics. 

Waiting gave us time to reflect, and I wrestled with immensely powerful emotions inspired by the tenacity of this remarkable woman we had just met. 

Without the support from her case manager, Estimemé’s family may not have survived. 

But with some training and a small investment of starting assets, Estimemé took full advantage of the opportunity and now she and her family are thriving in a way they could only have dreamed. 

She is building a life free from extreme poverty, sustainably, with dignity and purpose. I was left with a powerful sense that we really could realize our vision and accomplish our mission, one client and one family at a time. 

Given the abundance around us on this beautiful planet, we must find innovative ways to provide hope to those trapped in unrelenting cycles of hardship.  

As Haiti continues to deal with the current crisis, Fonkoze’s Pathway to a Better Life is still operating and offers a beacon of hope to those in need. Their vital work demonstrates that with dedication and support, transformation is possible even in the face of adversity.

We invite you to join us in providing in hope in Haiti, one woman at a time.