Natalie (name has been changed for privacy) is one of the first twelve apprentice entrepreneurs that Prosperity Catalyst is working with at our Cap Haitien business, Fanm Limye. We connected with Natalie through our partner organization, AFASDA, a local women’s association that supports women who have experienced some kind of gender based violence. Natalie had had a difficult relationship with the father of her child and had left him and was living with her family. She was economically vulnerable and reliant on others and was interested in working with us so she could build her skills and become more independent. She was recruited to join our Haitian business, Fanm Limye, due to her strong work ethic, economic need and the pride she took in creating high quality work. Before joining us at Fanm Limye she had never had a formal job and was unable to complete her high school education.

Now that Natalie has completed 8 months of work at Fanm Limye, she feels more confident and respected in her community. She has money that she can save and is able to pay for her own tuition. Returning to school and finishing her high school education is a dream of hers that she is now able to fulfill. She is also able to invest in the future of her son and ensure that he is safe, healthy and well-educated. She still has some challenges with the father of her son threatening her and following her, but she feels more able to make independent decisions about their future now that she has her own income.

The changes in Natalie’s life are indicative of the larger shifts that are happening throughout Cap Haitien due to our work. Unfortunately, Natalie’s story is not unique in Haiti. One third of all girls over the age of 6 do not go to school in Haiti and out of those who do, many leave school early due to pregnancies or lack of funding. Due to the high level of violence against women in Haiti, many women are in dangerous situations due to economic dependence. With training, social support, a broader network of resources, income and business mentoring, women like Natalie can begin shaping a very different future.