Chache Lavi, Soul of Haiti Womens Empowerment Program on Ile a Vache, has opened its new office.   Well done to the team of Girlande Louissant, Josiane Bazile and Ailish O’Reilly.

The main purpose of Chache Lavi is to help the 120 people to create or expand their small businesses, while providing them with the required technical and financial tools to increase their earnings in order to meet their immediate needs and those of their families.

The program begins with an education in civil rights, healthcare (including family planning), nutrition, family budgeting and self-empowerment. Following this, participants are taught business planning, budgeting, pricing, market identification and access to finance, all the while being encouraged to reflect on their cultural and community attributes to develop a business idea which corresponds with their interests and abilities.  Once a business plan is approved at committee level, participants are supported with mentoring and resources for the remaining 12 months of the program.

Through Chache Lavi Soul of Haiti wants to encourage a sense of initiative, foster an entrepreneurial spirit, promote production and agricultural transformation, encourage local consumption patterns, stimulate collective participation and consolidate community development.