I’ve written about Sr. Anne Wisda before. In this short piece she writes about how Fonkoze is helping Haiti’s recovery from the earthquake.There is a link to Fonkoze below in case you’d like to learn more about Fonkoze.
In 1993, I was in Haiti with a Pax Christi delegation. In the evening, we had speakers come to share peace and justice information. One of these speakers was Anne Hastings. She shared her dream about using her banking skills to empower the organized poor of Haiti – especially women – to establish a micro-lending program. She inspired all of us with her commitment, and she explained that this bank would need investors. In December 1997, we were among the first of several religious congregations to make alternative investments in Fonkoze.
Our IHM investments have helped to build and support the foundation for “economic democracy,” especially for the women in Haiti. The IHM commitment to Fonkoze is one of the best investments we have ever made. In the midst of poverty, hurricanes and earthquakes, Fonkoze, a successful micro-credit program, has given education, stability and support to empower the poorest of the poor in Haiti. Today, there are 41 branch offices throughout Haiti. Fonkoze has been credited with stabilizing the banking system for the country’s most vulnerable people.In addition to micro-lending programs, Fonkoze sponsors major literacy, health care and micro-insurance programs. Its remittances and savings accounts serve more than 200,000 people, making it a significant part of the country’s financial system.
Within two weeks of the devastating earthquake in January, Fonkoze distributed $2 million to the 34 of the 41 branch offices open after the quake. It has been credited with stabilizing the banking system for the country’s most vulnerable people.
by Anne Wisda, IHM
