From the Desk of Fonkoze USA’s Executive Director:
Dear Fonkoze Family and Friends,
As I reflect on the Haiti of my childhood, my heart fills with vivid memories that paint a very different picture from what we see in today’s headlines. The Haiti I knew and the Haiti that still exists in so many corners of our beloved country was a place where dignity and respect flowed through every interaction, where joy burst forth in spontaneous konbits, and where the simple pleasures of life were celebrated daily.
I remember communities where neighbors were truly family, where doors were always open, and where the rhythm of daily life moved in harmony with age-old traditions. The aroma of fresh coffee would drift through the morning air as people gathered to share news and wisdom. Children played freely in yards and streets, their laughter mixing with the sounds of roosters announcing the dawn. These weren’t just moments they were the fabric of our society, woven with threads of mutual respect, solidarity, and an unshakeable sense of community.
Today, as we witness the heartbreaking news of gang violence in Port-au-Prince and other urban areas, it would be easy to lose sight of that Haiti. But I want to remind you that Haiti still exists. It lives on in the rural communities where we work, in the mountains where farmers still rise with the sun to tend their gardens, in the marketplaces where women still gather to trade goods and share stories, and in the small churches and schools where communities still come together in hope and faith.
This is why our mission at Fonkoze is more crucial than ever. We aren’t just providing financial services or development services we are protecting hope itself. Every time we help a market woman expand her business, every time we support a rural family’s dream of education for their children, every time we bring healthcare access to a remote community, we are preserving and nurturing the essence of what makes Haiti special.
The simplicity and dignity of rural life in Haiti, though challenged by current circumstances, remains remarkably resilient. In these communities, we still see the traditional values of respect, mutual aid, and perseverance that have always defined our people. Our members don’t just represent individuals seeking economic opportunity they represent the guardians of our cultural heritage, keeping alive the spirit of the Haiti we know and love.
As we continue our work, remember that each loan, each training session, each community health initiative is more than just a service it’s a statement of faith in the Haiti that still exists beyond the headlines. We are not just building economic stability; we are protecting spaces where joy, dignity, and community can continue to thrive.
The violence we see today is not Haiti’s destiny it’s a challenge we must overcome. And while others may see only crisis, I see opportunity: the opportunity to strengthen the communities that still embody the true spirit of Haiti, the opportunity to protect and nurture the values that have always made our country special, and the opportunity to build bridges toward a better tomorrow.
Let us carry forward our work with renewed purpose, knowing that in every community we serve, we are helping to preserve and strengthen the beautiful Haiti that lives in our hearts a Haiti of dignity, community, and hope. This is our mission, and it has never been more important than it is today.
Together, we are not just serving communities we are protecting the soul of Haiti itself. Thank you for being part of this crucial mission.
Happy Holidays and Happy Thanksgiving
With deep gratitude and hope,
Erlantz Hyppolite
Executive Director, Fonkoze USA
