Dear Friends,
As we welcome 2025, I am drawn to reflect on Haiti's remarkable journey that began 221 years ago. On January 1, 1804, Haiti achieved what many thought impossible: becoming the first Black republic in the world and the second independent nation in the Americas. The Haitian Revolution was not just a fight for independence; it was humanity's first successful revolution against slavery, a beacon of hope that illuminated the path toward universal human rights.
This revolutionary spirit, the unwavering belief that transformation is possible against all odds, lives on in the work you make possible through Fonkoze. Just as Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and their fellow freedom fighters fought for liberty and dignity, today you stand with thousands of Haitian women fighting their own revolution against poverty. Through Fonkoze's programs, these brave women are writing their own stories of financial independence and the strength to dream of a better future for their children.
We enter 2025 clear-eyed about the struggles facing Haiti. Political uncertainty, economic pressures, climate change, and social challenges create formidable obstacles. Yet, the history of Haiti teaches us that the greatest achievements often emerge from the most daunting circumstances. The same courage that forged a nation against impossible odds in 1804 lives on in every woman who takes her first literacy class, launches her first business, or helps her neighbor access healthcare through Fonkoze's programs.
Your support of Fonkoze carries forward Haiti's revolutionary legacy of transformation. Every time you choose to give, you declare your belief in the dignity, potential, and strength of the Haitian people. You become part of a continuing revolution, not one fought with swords, but with education, microfinance, and community empowerment.
As we begin this new year, I wish you the boundless hope that inspired Haiti's founders, the unwavering strength that sustains our members, and the profound joy that comes from being part of transformative change. May 2025 bring you and your loved ones health, peace, and the satisfaction of knowing that your generosity is helping write the next chapter in Haiti's ongoing story of courage and perseverance.
With deep gratitude and hope for the journey ahead,
