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Nancy Finneran of the Loretto Community
Nancy Finneran, SL, who is a member of the Loretto Investment Committee, was introduced to Fonkoze through a presentation made by Director, Anne Hastings, in New York. Nancy saw that Fonkoze’s lending program gave hope to poor women and contributed to ending the cycle of poverty in Haiti. She was excited by the ideas of Fonkoze and believed they fit well with the commitment of the Loretto women in upholding the rights and needs of oppressed women. She presented her findings to the Loretto Investment Committee and recommended that Fonkoze receive a loan. The Committee agreed with Nancy and, as Nancy states, “...has been proud of the outstanding work of Fonkoze ever since.”
The Loretto Community has provided a wide range of support to Fonkoze. It has provided Fonkoze USA low interest loans which are used to make loans to poor women served by Fonkoze. It has indirectly invested equity in Fonkoze Financial Services and helped provide it with a strong capital base. It has given grants to Fonkoze’s literacy service, which helped us to teach rural women how to read and write and manage their businesses better. In addition, a Sister of Loretto, Kathy Wright, serves on both the boards of Fonkoze USA and Fonkoze Financial Services.
Nancy believes that the success of Fonkoze lies within the “steadfastness” of the Haitian women who have learned how to operate their small businesses and continue to work hard every day to succeed. She articulates that, “Without them, there would be no Fonkoze.” Nancy also credits the leadership of Fonkoze for managing to build an institution in Haiti despite all the challenges.
When asked about the future of Haiti, Nancy responded that, “…the future of Haiti hangs by a thread.” She believes that the peasants of Haiti are among the world’s most resourceful people, but without the support of a viable government and appropriate foreign aid, their future appears dubious. To raise the country out of poverty, Nancy suggests that there will need to be more coordination among the many different organizations that can help to change Haiti’s future.
Through the years, Nancy Finneran remains inspired by the good work of Fonkoze and by other organizations working to draw the world closer toward ending poverty. We at Fonkoze remain inspired by the Loretto Community as they continue to stand by Fonkoze and the people of Haiti.
Interview conducted by Keri Badach