Microcredit in Haiti Part 3 - How our program is unique

This is part three in a three part blog series exploring World Concern’s microcredit program in Haiti. If you missed part one and two you can read them here) and here respectively. Thank you for reading!

As we have seen throughout this blog series, microcredit is a tool that can provide opportunity to the poor who often lack access to the resources needed to succeed. In Haiti microcredit has exploded over the years and currently there are an estimated 116,000 borrowers throughout the country. With this many microcredit clients in Haiti and many other groups serving poor small business owners, what makes World Concern’s program unique?

“Our clients say to us that our interest rate is low, our training helps them in their business, and since we are a Christian organization they feel comfortable with us,” said Vilbert Douilly, World Concern’s microcredit program director in Haiti.

In part two of this blog series we discussed how World Concern includes Biblical values into its’ training for each new client. World Concern staff is able to use text from the Bible to share about the importance of having integrity both in personal life and business life. Our desire is to transform individuals and communities both physically and spiritually. It is encouraging to see how microcredit can be used to accomplish this goal.

World Concern has been providing microcredit to small business owners in Haiti since 1990. We hope to use our experience and expertise in this area to continue to empower and support people in the future.

“I want to see our microcredit program become an institution of reference for others. We want to continue to be involved in microcredit in Haiti. We wish to serve more clients and reach the most vulnerable in our country,” shared Mr. Douilly.

Together we can see this vision of continuing to serve the most vulnerable come to life.

Small business owners in Haiti often lack the ability to access credit and therefore lack opportunity. Access to credit at traditional banks is reserved for those who are more privileged and have assets. Although the poor desire to be productive and provide for their families, there are little to no options for them to expand their business and earn a livable wage. Microcredit aims to address this injustice. It is one tool that World Concern has found useful in equipping and supporting the poor.

Please consider partnering with us as we support small business owners in Haiti. Your investment not only impacts the individual client but their family and community!

Here are a few of the 5,000 exceptional people we are blessed to work with in Haiti.

Meet Damas: A loan allowed him to purchase a larger refrigerator for his store. Now he can keep more inventory and is doing well.

Meet Bellia: This mother of two sells clothing, shoes, and purses. With her loan she was able to purchase products her customers were asking for.

Meet Elmè: One of her six children is pictured with her here. Her business is near a school where she sells sweets and beverages to students. A loan allowed her to buy more products and continue to provide for her family.

Meet Lizette: Each day of the week, Lizette cooks delicious food and sells it to loyal customers. With the loan she was able to purchase new products and expand her small enterprise. She has two children and both are able to attend school.