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Fonkoze receives Congressional Proclamation at the SIMACT Foundation Gala
Rebuilding Haiti through Leadership & Innovation
New York – On June 19th Fonkoze received an Achievement award and Congressional Citation by member of Congress Edolphus “Ed” Towns. Fonkoze distinguished itself by providing microfinance loans and services to 45,000 borrowers, 95% of whom are women in rural parts of Haiti over the past 15 years. The SIMACT Foundation hosted a spectacular and well attended Gala with more than 275 Haitian professionals from the Diaspora from the USA, Canada, Haiti and Europe. The SIMACT foundation created by SIMACT Inc, a group of investors from the Haitian Diaspora, recognized different leaders of the Haitian Diaspora for their tireless humanitarian efforts.
Katleen Felix, Director of Project and Diaspora Liaison who received this award on behalf of Fonkoze said: “This recognition from SIMACT means a lot for us; people need to know who Fonkoze is and that we have been working hard to eliminate poverty in Haiti. We also want the Diaspora to know that we are there for them with our transfer services, payroll services, and investment/savings accounts.”
Fonkoze is constantly innovating by providing new financial access to the rural poor at low cost, accompanying them in their journey as they climb out of poverty and developing ways to facilitate remittances. Last year a Visa Prepaid card was launched with the capacity to send money for only $6 up to a limit of $2500. In April this year Fonkoze created Zafen (www.zafen.org) a joint effort with the Vincentian Family and the Haitian Diaspora Resource Group. This organization has an internet platform showcasing small and medium enterprises and Social enterprises in Haiti that are looking for a loan or grant.
“Fonkoze has been in the shadow for too long. We need to tell this great story to support this Haitian institution that is making a difference in rural Haiti. SIMACT Inc and SIMACT Foundation are very pleased to recognize the accomplishments of Fonkoze in Haiti” said Fritz Clairvil, Executive Director of SIMACT Foundation.
About Fonkoze
Fonkoze is “Haiti’s Alternative Bank for the Organized Poor.” 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. Fonkoze is Haiti’s largest microfinance institution (MFI), serving more than 50,000 women borrowers, most of who live and work in the countryside of Haiti, and more than 200,000 savers. With its network of 41 branches covering every region of Haiti, it is also the only MFI that is truly national in scope.
http://fonkoze.org/publications/videos/post-earthquake-profiles.html
Fonkoze USA
Media Contact
Leigh Carter
Telephone: 202-628-9033
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www.fonkoze.org
About The SIMACT Foundation
The SIMACT Foundation works in partnership with Haitian communities to help Haitians tackle chronic problems of poverty, inequality and underemployment through social, economic and environmental initiatives while providing sustainable solutions.
Our programs address needs in areas which include: child health, maternal health, HIV/AIDS, food security and agriculture, water and sanitation, gender equality and emergency response. The SIMACT Foundation places communities at the center of development. We believe that through strong communities Haiti can feed itself, develop and manage its natural resources, provide adequate education and vocational training, address people's needs for health care and disease prevention, achieve economic well-being and live in peace.
The SIMACT Foundation is committed to:
- Enabling deprived children, their families and their communities to meet basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and benefit from their societies;
- Foster relationships to increase understanding and unity among peoples of different backgrounds; and
- Being an advocate for the rights and interests of the underprivileged children of Haiti.
SIMACT Foundation
Media Contact
Maybelle Jadotte
Telephone: 347-996-8166
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2867 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210