Today was an emotional day because we had to say goodbye to the UNIF students. We got to know all of them very well and they were so nice to us during our stay in Fondwa. We are so grateful that they were so welcoming when we arrived, and that we had the opportunity to learn from them. We talked about school, life, politics, and many other things. It was a great learning experience because they gave us insight into what it is like to live in Haiti, and what the future holds for them. Our group was very grateful for their hospitality and was sad to say goodbye. I am really glad that we met them and exchanged information because I want to stay in touch.
After we left Fondwa, we headed back to Port-au-Prince to stop for lunch, where we met with Carla and had the opportunity to share our experiences from Fondwa. Then we got back on the road and headed to Mirbale, where we met with Linda Boucard, the Director of Communications for Fonkoze.
Fonkoze is the largest microfinance institution in Haiti. It is a Haitian run organization that seeks to alleviate poverty by providing women in extreme poverty with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. Linda told us all about Fonkoze and how the organization and bank operate. After reading about this organization for months, it was so great to finally hear about the work they do firsthand. Fonkoze is committed to making sustainable change in Haiti. One thing that really stuck with me as Linda explained Fonkoze was the fact that majority of the NGO’s in Haiti were not going to be able to provide the type of change that Haiti needs like Fonkoze can. I say this because Fonkoze understands the Haitian culture and history and this knowledge gives them the opportunity to better connect with the Haitian people and make sustainable change. I came away from the day with the idea that the only real change that will successfully happened in Haiti is going to come from the Haitian people themselves.
As I reflect each night, I continue to question my role as an American and what I can do to help bring change in Haiti. I was restored with hope and confidence after hearing Linda's stories about her work with the clients. I am really looking forward to working with them tomorrow and going to visit their clients. Today I also realized that as much as I wanted to help Haiti, Haiti was actually helping me. Haiti opened my eyes to who I am as a human being and allowed me to tap into my spiritual side. I understand now that it is not my role to try to become some kind of superhero to Haiti but rather listen and learn from the people. I am so grateful for this experience, and I can’t wait for tomorrow!
After we left Fondwa, we headed back to Port-au-Prince to stop for lunch, where we met with Carla and had the opportunity to share our experiences from Fondwa. Then we got back on the road and headed to Mirbale, where we met with Linda Boucard, the Director of Communications for Fonkoze.
Fonkoze is the largest microfinance institution in Haiti. It is a Haitian run organization that seeks to alleviate poverty by providing women in extreme poverty with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. Linda told us all about Fonkoze and how the organization and bank operate. After reading about this organization for months, it was so great to finally hear about the work they do firsthand. Fonkoze is committed to making sustainable change in Haiti. One thing that really stuck with me as Linda explained Fonkoze was the fact that majority of the NGO’s in Haiti were not going to be able to provide the type of change that Haiti needs like Fonkoze can. I say this because Fonkoze understands the Haitian culture and history and this knowledge gives them the opportunity to better connect with the Haitian people and make sustainable change. I came away from the day with the idea that the only real change that will successfully happened in Haiti is going to come from the Haitian people themselves.
As I reflect each night, I continue to question my role as an American and what I can do to help bring change in Haiti. I was restored with hope and confidence after hearing Linda's stories about her work with the clients. I am really looking forward to working with them tomorrow and going to visit their clients. Today I also realized that as much as I wanted to help Haiti, Haiti was actually helping me. Haiti opened my eyes to who I am as a human being and allowed me to tap into my spiritual side. I understand now that it is not my role to try to become some kind of superhero to Haiti but rather listen and learn from the people. I am so grateful for this experience, and I can’t wait for tomorrow!
- Kevin Felisme
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