Fonkoze and the Haitian Remittances
Transcription
Fonkoze and the Haitian Remittances
Fonkoze and the Haitian Remittances By Katleen Félix, M.Sc. UNITAR - Labor Migration, Protection and Development Oct 2nd About Fonkoze Founded in 1994 Fonkoze is a MFI who targets the rural poor, wherever they are in Haiti: 37 branches, in all departments of the country Over 1,000 credit and education centers 99% of our clients are women Mission Provide Haiti’s poor with the financial and educational services they need to make their way out of poverty; Eliminate in Haiti the type of extreme poverty that leaves families without hope by replicating proven models; Reverse the decline in Haiti’s economy by empowering families to engage in sustainable economic development Latòti The Fonkoze Branch Network Pòdpè Jan Rabèl Pòmago Gwomòn Okap Lenbe Answouj Fòlibète Mamlad Twoudinò Wanament Gran Rivyèdinò Gonayiv Sen Michel Lestè Piyon Machandesalin Ponsonde Mayisad Ench Tomasik Sen Mak Tomonn Boukàn Kare Beladè Sodo Mibale Laskawobas Lagonav Kabarè Pwentarakèt Tomazo Site Solèy Jeremi Pòtoprens Dammari Latwazon Kwadèboukè Gantye Petyonvil Bomon Ansavo Leyogàn Miragwan Bizoton Kenskof Twen Kanperen Okoto Okay Aken Sen Lwidisid Fondwa Fondèblan Lavale Marigo Tyot Kotdefè Jakmèl Ansapit About Fonkoze Through this infrastructure we offer a full range of financial services: 175,000 savers - US$12 million in savings 55,000 borrowers – loan portfolio of US$11 million Micro-Insurance Currency Exchange: $35 million per year Remittances We also offer extensive literacy & education services Basic literacy Business skills Sexual and Reproductive Health Under development: Environmental Protection and Human Rights Fonkoze’s Borrowers Climbing the Ladder out of poverty • Regardless of where our clients start, Fonkoze offers them a range of services to keep them on the ladder. We cannot make the climb for them but we can accompany clients to keep them from falling off. Fonkoze’s Borrowers Chemin Lavi Miyo/Road to a better life(Pilot) • Reaches out the poorest of the poor. Pilot funded by CGAP and Concern • Accompanies for 2 years with training, one-on-one supervision and encouragement, confidence building and other services like health care and home repair. • Provides some initial assets to starts their own microenterprise. Fonkoze’s Borrowers Ti Kredi (Little credit) • For Families that are not ready for large loans • Loan range $25 to $75 • Shorter repayments periods, additional support from loan officer and literacy class Fonkoze’s Borrowers Solidarity Group (Core program) • Groups of 5 friends form solidarity groups and take a loan together. • Groups are part of a Credit Centers of 30-40 women - long term associations of women devoted to individual and community economic & social development. • Loans range from $75 to $1300 for 6 months. Fonkoze’s Borrowers Business Development level Year-long loans from $1300 to $25,000 & More Clients are part of a formal economy and create jobs in rural Haiti where there is little employment. Fonkoze Commits If you stay 5 years with Fonkoze as a responsible member: • You and your children will eat every day • You will know how to read and write • All you children will go to school • Your home will have a cement floor, a tin roof, and a latrine • You will have assets that you can see accumulating day by day (land, buildings, animals, savings) • You will have the confidence to face your future, no matter what it holds. Haitian Migration Highlights Migration of Haitians 18th thru 21st century Period/Waves Socio-Political Context Emigrants Profile Destination 1791-1810 Revolutionary war and post independence Mulatoes, White French, limited blacks US: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Savannah, New Orleans, NY 1915-1934 US Occupation of Haiti Intellectual Elites, Blacks Dominican Republic, Cuba 1934-1950 Search for better Education Upper Middle Class France, Canada, Africa 1957-1963 Francois Duvalier (Papa Duck) elected President of Haiti Politicians, professionals, educated elite, upper Middle Class Africa, France, Canada 1964-1971 Francois Duvalier is selfproclaimed President for life Black Middle Class and politicians Africa, France, Canada, US 1971-1986 Jean-Claude Duvalier (Baby Duck) is named to rule as successor Pres. Massive emigration of Middle Class and lower class US (southern state and Florida), Venezuela, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Canada. 2001-2004 Aristide overthrown by the military Massive emigration of Middle Class and lower class US and Canada Reference: “The legitimacy of the Haitian Diaspora” by Linda Cesar, President The Edge Worldwide Ref: Mobility in the Caribbean (La mobilite des populations dans les caraibes par Andre Calmont et Cedric Audebert) – Cartographe Gandrille. Remittances Fonkoze- IDB- IFAD Remittance Enhancement project to and within rural Haiti The IDB-IFAD Partnership Program Name: Remittances and Rural Development Program in Latin America and the Caribbean: Strengthening the Income Generating Capacity of the Rural Poor in the Remittance Recipient Countries Objectives: 1. To support the development of low cost, efficient and accessible local financial and communications services for migrants and their families 2. To strengthen and empower migrant associations interest in supporting rural development in their countries of origin 3. To build the capacity of migrant associations for planning and implementing rural development activities in their countries of origin 4. To improve the income and living conditions of the rural poor through joint ventures between migrants and local organizations for sustainable rural agricultural and non agricultural enterprises Fonkoze- IDB- IFAD Remittance Enhancement project 1. Installation of electricity, computers and satellite communications in rural branches 2. Development of a data base and directory of Haitian hometown associations (HTAs) in the U.S. and Canada 3. Training of HTAs in needs assessment* and open dialogue on development interventions in rural Haiti 4. Promotional work and financial literacy training in Haitian American communities The main idea is to start working closely with Haitian HTAs, facilitating transfers and partnerships. About Fonkoze Our Partners • City National Bank of New Jersey • Rapid Transfer : CAM, Moneygram, UNO, Dolex, Banco BHD (Dominican Republic) • Unitransfer • MIF-IDB/IFAD Project Objectives • Expand and improve the delivery of money transfer services in rural Haiti • Improve the effectiveness of HTA and support groups as agents of development for local communities in Haiti. • • Prepaid transfer cards: Allianza and CNB Enib Oklahoma Digicel (FONKOSEL program) Remittance Products Actual and future Actual • 37 live-real time branches in rural Haiti • Fonkoze act as a payer in rural area for our money transfer partners using partners Web based and Transfer Software • Sub-products – – – – Savings account (for senders and receivers) Churches, Haitian Associations and NGOs thru City National Bank can transfer for a flat fee of $10 regardless of the amount. Payroll service for NGOs (within rural Haiti) Visa Prepaid Debit Card (NEW): $6 for $2,500 Future • Stronger dialogue with Haitian HTAs (Hometown Associations) to add new services for the Diaspora. We are working on an Investment Fund (Diaspora- International Donors and Fonkoze) • More coverage in rural area (more branches and stronger live network) • Mobile phone banking– (Digicel & Fonkosel new network) – – – • Transfer confirmation via SMS Micro payments Mobile to Mobile transfers New financial products for remittance clients (senders or receivers), ex: life insurance, repatriation insurance, web control of savings account, generation of a Capital fund, Retirement program etc) Haitian HTA Database – highlights • More then 200 Haitian Hometown Associations (HTAs) in NY, MIA, Boston, Montréal, Ottawa and French Caribbean's • Most of Haitian HTAs are not registered they don’t get tax deductions or any government support or international aid. • 3 active Federations identified - NY: FARHE, Boston: AFED and Montréal: ROCHAD • Various professional associations: Engineers, Doctors, Nurses and Lawyers • Main activities of the HTA: – Fundraising for building or support Schools, Churches, Hospitals. Libraries, Clinics, Orphanages etc… – Social events and gatherings – Scholarships for Diaspora Students and for Haitian student in Haiti. – Support after disaster • Some HTAs are doing economic activities and investments – – – – – Farming activities Craft productions and training Reforestations with fruit trees, coffee plants etc Ecotourism projects Micro-loans Haitian Women Associations principal activities in the US Examples of action Beyond remittances: • Integration support (housing, job, ESL program, literacy English and Creole) Health: (often partnership with Haitian Nurses and Doctors associations) • – – – – – • • • • Support to refugees in the US, Bahamas and Dominican Republic Humanitarian support (food, clothes, medicine etc for disaster relief) Schools support in Haiti and scholarship in the US Political representations and human right advocacy (in the US and Haiti) – – • • Family planning Breast cancer Diabetes Hypertension HIV - AIDS Denunciation of child abuses “Rest’avek” problem in Haiti Domestic Violence: Advocacy, education and outreach « Douk » Economic support program (new initiatives - small scale) How Fonkoze is supporting Diaspora Associations in Haiti? • 37 branches covering the country • Savings accounts available for the Diaspora • Payroll service (employees or vendors only need a Fonkoze account) • Reliable Transfers at low cost: – Classic transfers: • Individual • Associations: $10 flat fee regardless the amount – Visa Prepaid Debit Card (NEW): $6 for $2,500 Questions? Comments? Ideas? Katleen Felix [email protected] 917-375-6902