Yvrose’s life has changed in ways she never expected. She and her husband, Jean Gaby, were doing their best to provide for their family, but steady work was hard to find. They lived in a small shack next to their church, built from discarded materials. Jean Gaby took whatever jobs he could as a mason’s helper, and Yvrose had once run a small business selling produce, but two difficult pregnancies left her unable to carry heavy loads, forcing her to stop.
When Yvrose was first considered for Fonkoze’s Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM) program, her situation seemed too complicated. But a case manager who believed in her advocated for a second chance—and everything changed.
With support from CLM, Yvrose and Jean Gaby built a secure, three-room home. Jean Gaby worked tirelessly, even collecting sand from a nearby riverbed to save money on construction. At the same time, Yvrose began rebuilding her livelihood. She started with livestock, carefully growing her flock of chickens and goats. But she knew she needed something more sustainable.
That’s when she took another bold step—investing in a small food production business. With training from CLM, she partnered with a neighbor and expanded her business, making and selling plantain chips, pralines, and coconut treats. It wasn’t easy balancing work and family, but she persisted. Today, their business is thriving, and they have hired seven employees from their community.
Each week, Yvrose saves through her Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), a critical step toward long-term financial security. She continues to dream bigger. “I want the business to get really big. I would like it to be big enough so I can hire everyone in the neighborhood who needs a job,” she says.
Through the CLM program, Yvrose is not just surviving—she is creating opportunities, not only for her family but for her entire community. With support from Fonkoze, her hopes are becoming a reality—one that will be felt for generations to come.
Your support can help other women like Yvrose take bold steps toward a future full of possibilities.
