Building hope in the heart of Désormeaux in Haiti through the empowerment of women

The rural community of Désormeaux, located in Haiti’s Grand’Anse region, faces numerous socioeconomic and environmental challenges, such as a severe lack of basic services and growing food insecurity. Furthermore, the emergence of armed gangs controlling road access to the south is further destabilizing this rural area, which previously relied on selling agricultural produce in Port-au-Prince. As a result of these complex challenges, the women traders of Désormeaux, commonly known as the “Madran Sara,” live in extreme poverty and struggle to provide for their families and pay their children’s school fees.

In response to this worrisome situation, the organization Foi et Joie Haïti, a mission run by the Society of Jesus that has been active in Désormeaux for over 14 years, has launched a women’s empowerment initiative, in collabo­ration with the local community.

Thanks to your generosity and to funding from the Roncalli Foundation, this initiative has been able to offer 45 mothers training in financial management and entrepreneurship. They can now play a vital role in the economic development of the Désormeaux community by setting up income-generating activities designed to support their families.

Moreover, a room has been set up as a community bakery with all the necessary equipment for producing bread, including a gas oven and fuel, trays, a display case, utensils, flour, water, and yeast. The bakery generates income that enables the families to invest in other activities and combat poverty. The mothers can also buy bread at a subsidized price in order to resell it.

This initiative demonstrates how empowering women strengthens their economic and social role within their families and communities, enabling them to break free from the cycle of poverty and exclusion.