Stories
March 12, 2025 • 4 min read
Haiti is facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with violent conflict putting civilians at extreme risk and worsening economic instability and food scarcity. In response, GOAL, with support from Irish Aid, has implemented Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), empowering communities to save, access financial services, and grow small businesses—helping sustain livelihoods and build resilience.
The Crisis in Numbers
Since early 2022, gang violence has increased in Haiti, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, as rival factions fight for control of the major port city, leaving civilians in peril. As the violence spills into rural regions, essential supply chains are severely disrupted and food prices are driven up, rendering essential food unaffordable for many Haitians.
Today, over half of the population – around 5.4 million people – face acute food insecurity, putting them at severe risk of hunger and malnutrition. The crisis is further intensified by political instability, climate-related challenges, and limited access to essential services, complicating the path to economic resilience for vulnerable communities.
Approximately 60% of Haiti’s population lives below the national poverty line, and over 25% are in extreme poverty. Limited access to financial services remains a significant barrier. A 2019 Banque de la République d’Haïti (BRH) survey found that only 33% of adults in Haiti have access to formal financial services, with stark disparities between men and women and between urban and rural populations. The lack of financial inclusion leaves many Haitians unable to save, invest, or access credit, further entrenching cycles of poverty.
GOAL’s Response: Strengthening Women’s Financial Autonomy
To help combat these challenges, GOAL Haiti has implemented programmes to enhance financial inclusion and economic resilience, with a particular focus on supporting women with financial security and empowerment. Since 2019, GOAL Haiti has been a leader in establishing and strengthening Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), enabling participants—primarily women—to develop a savings culture, access financial services, and launch or expand small businesses.
With generous support from Irish Aid through Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership (ICSP) programme, GOAL Haiti expanded these efforts in 2024, training and supporting 10 new VSLA groups. This initiative improved financial literacy, strengthened economic independence, and fostered social cohesion within communities.
Marie Chester’s Story: A Path to Economic Empowerment
Marie Chester Gilot is a young woman from the Haitian city of Jérémie, Grand’Anse, whose life was transformed through her participation in a GOAL-supported VSLA programme. Before joining the programme, Maria shared that she faced significant financial struggles:
“I depended on my family, who had very little savings,” she recalls. “I couldn’t afford basic necessities like food, clothing, or personal care products, and after finishing secondary school, attending university was out of reach. My family was in debt, and starting a business was nearly impossible due to the lack of accessible financial services in my community. Employment opportunities were scarce, and socially, I often felt undervalued.”
Maria Chester, participant of the GOAL-run VSLA programme.
A turning point came for Maria when she enrolled in business training sessions provided by GOAL:
“Through GOAL, I received training in entrepreneurship and financial management. This changed my mindset—I started seeing business opportunities where I hadn’t before. I no longer depended on my family’s savings. I started my own business, rented a small space, and began saving for the future. Now, I can plan ahead and work toward my goal of buying a small plot of land.”
Marie’s participation in the VSLA not only provided her with access to financial services but also a strong support network:
“The VSLA I established with GOAL’s support allows me to save a portion of my business earnings each week,” she explains.
“Unlike traditional financial institutions, our VSLA offers flexible and community-driven financial services. More importantly, it fosters solidarity. In December 2024, I was attacked and robbed in my home. I lost everything. Without the VSLA, I don’t know what would have happened to me. My group members supported me financially and emotionally, allowing me to relocate to a safer area. Today, I live in a more secure neighbourhood, and my business has grown. My loan capacity has increased from 15,000 HTG to 50,000 HTG, and I now source goods from other regions, including Les Cayes and Miragoâne.”
Scaling Impact Through Irish Aid Support
Marie’s story is one of many that demonstrate the transformative power of VSLAs thanks to support from Irish Aid. The impact of VSLA programmes is lifechanging:
- A 90% increase in income among participants, 66% of whom are women (105 men and 203 women actively engaged in VSLAs).
- 100% of participants now have access to informal financial services.
- Women have gained greater financial autonomy, enabling them to invest in businesses, education, hygiene, and health.
- Economic empowerment has increased participation in social and public spheres, challenging traditional gender roles.
A Call for Continued Support
Marie’s vision for the future reflects the aspirations of many women in Haiti.
“I hope to buy land, expand my business, and achieve full financial independence,” she says.
“I also hope that GOAL and its partners, like Irish Aid, can extend these opportunities to more vulnerable communities, providing financial education and support to women-led micro-enterprises. I have witnessed firsthand how VSLAs transform lives.”
Thank you to Irish Aid for supporting women’s financial inclusion in Haiti, empowering them to sustain livelihoods, break the cycle of poverty, and build long-term resilience.
