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Our Mission
Fonkoze is Haiti’s alternative bank for the organized poor. In fact, it is a family of three institutions working together shoulder-to-shoulder towards a single compelling mission: building the economic foundations for democracy in Haiti by providing the rural poor with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. This mission is reflected in our name, Fonkoze, which is an acronym for the Haitian Creole phrase “Fondasyon Kole Zepòl” meaning “Shoulder-to-Shoulder Foundation.”
Our Principles
- SOLIDARITY: The Haitian proverb, "When all the fireflies shine the way for one another, we will succeed at developing the country," illuminates this principle.
- PRIORITY TO WOMEN: The liberation of women is the liberation of the family. "When the women dish out the food, everyone eats," according to another popular Haitian proverb.
- PRIORITY TO RURAL: With Fonkoze, there are no outsiders -- every one is inside.
- CREDIT IS NOT ENOUGH: For our clients to become empowered, Fonkoze marries credit with training, advice, social programs, and follow-up.
- ADVANTAGE: In Fonkoze, everything we offer must be to the client's advantage.
- WE GROW AS OUR CLIENTS GROW: We learn from our clients so that we can better satisfy their needs.
- PARTICIPATION: Let's everyone participate so we can overcome suffering.
- TRANSPARENCY: In Fonkoze, all cards are on the table, nothing is concealed.
- SUSTAINABILITY: Fonkoze is a business that functions for the benefit of the poor, but it's a business all the same.
- MOTIVATION OF OUR INVESTORS: Our investors are motivated by the social and economic progress of our clients.
- LANGUAGE OF FONKOZE: Creole is the official language of Fonkoze. All activities are carried out using Creole.