Sharing the Wonder of CLM: Stories of Transformation
October, 2024 |
Carine Roenen, Executive Director of the Fonkoze Foundation gathered with former CLM program participants.
Gang violence, blocked roads, over 700,000 displaced people, colleagues forced to abandon their homes in a rush to save their lives—this is the difficult reality we face every day in Haiti. Despite these immense challenges, we at Fonkoze remain steadfast in our mission. We keep going, bringing services to women, men, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and communities because we believe our work makes a profound difference for those who are most vulnerable.
If we lose that belief, we stop working. We leave the country.
But today, I met four people whose stories will sustain my belief in what we do for many years to come.
Four Journeys of Transformation
Yvrose, Cénel, Saintcimène, and Clairmicille are former members of the Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM) program who graduated in 2014, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. They didn’t know each other before, but during our meeting, they discovered they share an extraordinary story of transformation—one that began with hardship and grew into lives filled with confidence, community, and pride.
Cénel: From the Sidewalk to Success
At just 13 years old, Cénel lost his leg in a car accident and his mother soon after. His father, struggling to care for his four sons, left him to fend for himself. When the CLM team found him, he was spending his days on the sidewalk of Thomonde, sleeping on someone’s porch.
“People considered me less than a dog,” he recalled.
Through CLM’s support—coaching, cash transfers, and productive assets—Cénel transformed his life. Today, he is a respected businessman in his community, managing a thriving trade in various goods from his own house. He oversees several savings clubs, owns livestock, and is a proud father. Most of all, he radiates confidence and self-belief.
Yvrose: Building a Future with Bare Hands
Yvrose’s journey began in the backroom of a local presbyterium, where she lived with her two children and no source of income. “All I had were these,” she said, holding up her hands.
Through hard work, savvy borrowing, and CLM’s training, Yvrose now owns a three-room house. She is an active participant in the Boutik Sante program as a Community Health Entrepreneur (CHE) and eagerly awaits the birth of her cow’s first calf. She credits CLM and her VSLA as the best things that ever happened to her.
Saintcimène: From Isolation to Community
Saintcimène’s life took a difficult turn when she became an orphan at 16. She soon found herself a young mother of three children, none of whose fathers contributed to their care. Struggling to survive, she gave her youngest child up for adoption.
CLM gave her the support she needed to rewrite her story. Today, she owns a small herd of goats and trades goods across public markets. Neighbors who once ignored her now visit her cement stoop for evening conversations. With a smile, she proudly shares news of her daughter finishing school and her grandchild eating three meals a day.
Clairmicille: From Restavek to Leader
Once a restavek (child domestic servant), Clairmicille endured years of instability, often living on the streets. Her life took a turn when CLM helped her oldest son access the critical surgery he needed.
Today, her son is a mechanic’s apprentice, and Clairmicille herself is thriving. With limited formal schooling, she serves as the secretary for two VSLAs and is a credit center chief with Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze (SFF).
A Shared Story of Courage
These individuals all tell the same story in different ways: one of abject poverty and isolation transformed into economic inclusion, friendship, and pride. Through the care and training of CLM’s dedicated team, and their own hard work and courage, they seized the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Even years after graduating, they remain connected to the CLM team and willingly share their time and stories to inspire others.
When I asked them how we could improve CLM, their response was clear: “Find more funds to provide this opportunity to many more people.” They also offered blessings to the donors who gave them the chance to escape poverty.
A Call to Action
Hearing their stories renews my pride in being part of an organization that makes these transformations possible. Despite the challenges we face, these four individuals—and countless others like them—remind us why we do what we do.
Together, we can create more opportunities for transformation.
Will you join us?
