The mission of the Haiti Microfinance Project is to empower young people
to take responsibility for the economic, health, educational and environmental well-being of Haiti. Our vision is to bridge communication across culture, nationality,educational, and socio-economic backgrounds through collaboration on socially responsible businesses in Haiti. We do this through sustainable leadership training and the development of for-profit social enterprises funded through microfinancing and resource-sharing.
The Haiti Microfinance Project was born out of the third Haiti YLTP, held July 24 – August 2. One hundred thirty-five 18-25 year olds from all over Haiti applied, interviewed, and attended the YLTP. From university students to middle school dropouts, from agronomy students to unemployed unskilled laborers, the YLTP empowered all the youth to take responsibility for Haiti’s welfare. The students sought guidance on how to apply the skills they learned on the YLTP to create jobs for themselves and others that not only grew the economy but had a strong social benefit.
The YLTP graduates have identified three key projects:
1) A reforestation, sustainable agriculture project that will train hundreds of youth in sustainable agriculture. These youth will plant trees in agricultural areas across Haiti to repair the soil and plant crops to rejuvenate Haiti’s agricultural economy and to feed the population.
2) A school where students can study regardless of their financial background, that incorporates human values and leadership into its fabric.
3) A marketplace that sells only local products (agricultural and artisanal), to stimulate the local economy crowded out by excess importation.
Three YLTP graduates were identified as full-time local leaders of the project, to sustain and develop the projects into profit-generating, successful businesses.
How you can help with The Haiti Microfinance Project:
Join the team. We are looking for intelligent and enthusiastic team members, preferably between the ages of 18 – 30. Our vision is to inspire youth across the globe to take responsibility for the developing world through hands-on collaboration on economically sustainable projects. No previous experience necessary, only commitment, flexibility, intelligence, and a desire to help.
This summer, US university students and professionals are traveling down to Haiti to collaborate with Haitian youth on:
Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP)
Permaculture Training: hands-on training in permaculture, a sustainable agricultural method.
Micro-enterprise development: Collaborative training held by US professionals,
business school students and local Haitian business.
Join us this summer.
July 1 - 15: YLTP2 + Business: Port Au Prince (focused on advanced leadership and small business development.
July 17 - Aug 7: YLTP + Agriculture: Plateau Centrale
Aug 9 - Aug 30: YLTP + Agriculture: Cap Haitien
Be a partner or advisor. We are looking to collaborate with Haiti-focused NGOs, microfinance institutions, or experts in sustainable agriculture and education.
Donate money. Project Racine is run almost entirely by volunteers and operates with negligible overhead. To train the youth and provide them with materials to run their sustainable agriculture and micro-enterprises this summer, we are raising $75,000.
Your tax-deductible donation will help support youth lift Haiti out of its social, environmental and economic crisis. You can donate to Project Racine online (Select Project Racine). A suggested donation is 1% of your salary.
Contact: Uma Viswanathan (Director, Project Racine)
Telephone: 617-645-1428 or uma.viswanathan at iahv.org
Few Expereinces from the Youth Leadership Training Program
"I’ve learned how to collaborate, and seen that solidarity and respect for each other is so important. Reforestation is of great importance to Haiti because deforestation is such a great danger to us and the environment. I’m absolutely certain that this seminar will be helpful to me through out my whole life" - Stephanie
"What really attracted me was how we took initiative and helped one another. Reforestation is essential for Haiti and this is a brilliant way to bring it to the youth." - Regine
"I am a leader. I am capable of giving the training and leading the group to where we are supposed to go. When we do reforestation the whole community should be involved. Invite the community to assist us in the reforestation activities, open it up to others." - Tiluz
"I would love to be a leader, and accept others and pass on my knowledge to others. Teamwork made me feel stronger. I learned that even when things are difficult, when we all put our hands into it we can do it easily. I definitely would love to work more on the reforestation. It is important and we should plant avocados as well as mangos and coconuts. We need to plant so many trees that we must include others. . I’d love to include others in this movement." - Birly
