Natural disasters, including the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2021, along with ongoing violence, continue to drive Haiti’s economic crisis. Today, Haiti faces one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the world, with nearly half the population struggling to access enough food.
Ernise Lewis, 48, lives in Lescave with her husband, Roosevelt Lindor, 52, and four of their five children; their eldest lives with an aunt in the nearby town of Les Cayes. Lescave was severely affected by the 2021 earthquake, but with support from World Renew, families in the community are beginning to rebuild and restore hope.
One of the ways World Renew is supporting families is through Self Help Groups (SHGs). These groups provide a space for members to save together and access small, low-interest loans when the pooled savings grow. SHGs also offer training in financial management and income-generating activities, equipping participants with tools to strengthen their livelihoods.
Ernise joined a Self Help Group in June 2022. “My group is made up of 49 members, including 26 women. We meet every week and collect our money together. In October 2022, I received a loan of 50,000 gourdes, which I had to pay back in four months,” she shared.
With this loan, Ernise purchased yams and vegetables locally to resell at the Les Cayes market. She successfully repaid the loan and generated a profit of over 30,000 gourdes. With these earnings, she was able to support her family in meaningful ways—paying her son’s school fees, sending groceries to her eldest child, helping her husband purchase seeds for his farm, and reinvesting in her small business.
At a time when many families in Haiti are facing immense challenges, Ernise is grateful for the opportunity to provide for her household and is preparing to take a second loan to continue growing her business.
“May God bless World Renew and its donors,” she says.
As families like Ernise’s continue working to rebuild their lives, we pray for lasting peace, safety, and stability across Haiti, and for sustained provision for those facing hunger and hardship. May communities be strengthened, and may hope continue to grow even in the midst of uncertainty.
