Helping Build Communal Wealth In Rural Haiti

One of our core beliefs at Love Haiti is that people are able to pull themselves out of poverty if they are equipped with the right support and resources to do so. Lack of access to low-interest, financially relevant loans is one major barrier to economic empowerment that many Haitians find themselves running into. The vast majority of people in Southeast Haiti don’t make enough money, or have enough collateral, to secure loans from Haiti’s everyday big banks. Most of our community partners don’t even have an official bank operating in their area! To help solve this issue, we have been involved with implementing several “Micro-finance” groups in Southeast Haiti since 2016. Microfinance initiatives give people in poverty commercial and investment opportunities at a small, local, appropriate level.

MUSO Micro-finance

Our specific Micro-finance initiative is based on the principles of MUSO, which stands for “Mutual Solidarity.” Our MUSO groups are trained by Haitians to collect, track, and loan out local money so that our communities can have access to capital in ways that previously were impossible. Members of a MUSO group may receive loans to help with any number of things, including:

  • business startups

  • housing improvements

  • school fees

  • family/community emergencies

  • wedding ceremonies

 

One of our MUSO groups discussing solutions to solve conflict within the micro-finance program

Hear how Jasmin has benefitted from her local MUSO Micro-finance program

 
 

Since the inception of these groups, these communities have collected and loaned hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money to entrepreneurs in their community, instilling pride and providing resources that otherwise would not have been present. Members of these MUSO groups are given access to loans that they can use for housing improvements, school and healthcare fees, business start ups, or even financial emergencies. We host annual training sessions for these MUSO groups to encourage our community partners to continue building momentum, and to keep empowering locals to build their own wealth. Many of these groups have even helped organize additional MUSO groups in surrounding communities, all on their own volition!