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Our Clients
Roselene Bellevue
October 2004
An elegant woman in a professional white smock and a pink apron worked cream into a seated woman's hair, surrounded by students eagerly watching and learning. Fonkoze client Roselene Bellevue works seven days per week and splits her time between her beauty salon, Studio De Beaute, and her School of Cosmetology next door. Roselene started her business with her own money in 1998 and opened the school in 2001. She joined Fonkoze’s business development program in 2003. This program encourages the growth of small businesses in the provinces of Haiti in order to encourage rural employment and stem the migration into Port-au-Prince. With her first loan of 50,000 gourdes, Roselene was able to buy additional merchandise such as beauty products for the hair and face.
Roselene Fidel
My name is Roselene Fidel. I am 25 years old and have a little 2-year-old baby boy. I was in the Health program; Education is Conversation, in Thomassique. Mrs. Charles, my monitor, talked in church about the program and invited me to come. I got involved because she is a very intelligent woman and she knows what she is talking about.
Father Tim Atkin
July 2004
I am the Provincial Superior of the Haitian branch of Missionhurst CICM. My name is Father Tim Atkin, and I’ve been living and working in Haiti for 24 of the last 30 years.
Marie Jean
Marie Jean is a young market women from the hills outside of Marigot, a small coastal town in southeastern Haiti. She’s been in business for less than a year. She walks to the various markets in the region to sell groceries: little bags of cloves, bouillon cubes, macaroni, vinegar, and the like. Now and then she’ll buy plantain from farmers in the countryside to sell them in nearby towns as well.
Justine Jean Toussaint
Spring 2005
Justine Jean Toussaint was studying and working as a health worker in Port-au-Prince when her father became ill. She decided to return to her hometown, Cayes Jacmel, located on the southern coast of Haiti. In Cayes Jacmel, jobs were few and Justine had a difficult time finding work. As a result, her family told her that she should put her health knowledge to work and open a pharmacy. Justine borrowed money from her aunt and a community group and in 1993 her pharmacy was open for business.
Marie France
Marie France is a market woman who lives near Marigot, a small coastal town in southeastern Haiti. She travels to the various markets in her region to sell spaghetti, tomato paste, canned milk, and other groceries, but also skin lotion and soap. “All the little things that sell,” she says.