migration and development

1. migration and development Katleen Félix, M.Sc. Project Director and Diaspora liaison Fonkoze, Chair of Haitian Hometown Associations Resource Group, Focal March 29th 2010

2. Presentation overview • Context: • Haitian Migration and remittance (some historic data) • Who I am? • About Fonkoze • Experience: • Haitian Diaspora (migrants) and development • Canada and USA • How to make it optimal? Q & A

3. Migration of Haitians 18th thru 21st century Reference: “The legitimacy of the Haitian Diaspora” by Linda Cesar, President The Edge Worldwide

4. Who I am? • I was born and raised in Montreal • My parents are Haitian professionals who left Haiti in the late 60’s • I have been exposed and involved Cooperatives, Faith based organizations. Haitian Associations, Entrepreneurs and “Migrant-entrepreneurs” in Montreal and Brooklyn NY • BAA and M.Sc. from HEC Montreal • Corporate Finance experience (for more then 10 years) in Canada (Montreal) and in the US (NY Wall Street) • In November 2006 I met Fonkoze at the Micro credit Summit in Halifax

5. About Fonkoze Founded in 1994 Fonkoze is a MFI who targets the rural poor, wherever they are in Haiti: • 42 branches, in all departments of the country • Over 2,000 credit and education centers • 99% of our clients are women Mission • Provide Haiti’s poor with the financial and educational services they need to make their way out of poverty; • Eliminate in Haiti the type of extreme poverty that leaves families without hope by replicating proven models; • Reverse the decline in Haiti’s economy by empowering families to engage in sustainable economic development

6. What I am working on with Fonkoze and the HHTAs? • Zafen.org • Visa Prepaid Card • Open dialogue with the Haitian Diaspora and promotion of Fonkoze financial products • Launch of Fonkoze Prepaid Debit card in the USA (IFADIDB) • Services of Payroll, Investment accounts, Business Development* • Diaspora Investment fund (HHTARG and IAF) • 3rd edtion of Haitian Hometown Associations (Canada, USA & Europe) Future • Database of successful projects using Zafen and micro-franchise mechanism • Access to Needs Assessments and information about existing programs through website

8. About Fonkoze • Through this infrastructure we offer a full range of financial services: • 200,000 savers • 45,000 borrowers* • Micro-Insurance (AIC) • Currency Exchange: • Remittances (individual and Collective) • We also offer extensive literacy & education services • Basic literacy • Business skills • Sexual and Reproductive Health • Environmental Protection and Human Rights

9. About Fonkoze Regardless of where our clients start, Fonkoze offers them a range of services to keep them on the ladder. We cannot make the climb for them but we can accompany clients to keep them from falling off.

10. Haitian Diaspora and Development experience ? Migrants can and had contributed to development: • Case of Quebec and the Haitian professionals From 1960 to now (Haitian Professionals significantly contribute to Quebec development) • Book: “Contribution des Haïtiens à l’édification du Québec moderne : Ces Québécois venus d'Haïti”, Édité par Dr. Samuel Pierre – Association des Ingénieurs Haitiano-Canadien (AIHC)www.polymtl.ca/carrefour/article.php?no=2557

11. What about Haiti? Can the Diaspora can have a positive and active impact? Yes various cases from the Haitian Diaspora confirmed this assumption • Haitian Hometown Associations (HHTAs) work in Education, Heath, and productive activities (small scale projects and investments) • Fonkoze was founded by Father Joseph who has studied, worked and leaved in the USA and Canada • 1st loan capital was from ROCAHD • A few Diaspora are now working with Fonkoze in Haiti • But Fonkoze couldn’t get to this level only with the support of the Diaspora. • Book: “Haiti’s Development, Expatriate Reconnection, Conditions and Challenge” by Dr. Tatiana Wah, New School University NY • Diaspora cannot do it all but can help and support the development process

12. My personal experience with Haitian Diaspora (Migrants) and Development • More then 300 active HHTAs and support group in the US, Canada and France • Existing Federations: • AFHED (Boston) • CENTRECH (Montreal) • FHARE (NY) • ROCAHD (Montreal) • Existing departmental Associations: • FEDASE (South HTAs NY) • Nord’ Ouest Reunit (NY) • Tourinord (NY) • Facilitator and HHTAs support group • ORAISO (NY) • Haitian Hometown Association Resource group (NY, Miami and Boston)

13. How to make it optimal? • By Haitian with Haitian if possible • Capacity building of the MHAVE (Ministère des Haitiens Vivants à l’étranger) • Structured program Recruitment and Accompaniment (short and long term assignments) – Initiative since 95 never funded • Mentoring and follow up of Diaspora interventions • Facilitation or reintegration like housing, transportation etc • Co Development Program - Matching grant for Diaspora projects that are truly originated and supported by the local community. • 3x1 discussion with Mexican cooperation • Support projects that could also be revenue generating for the Diaspora also while helping the local development • Database of Diaspora resources and projects • Dual Citizenship

14. Questions?Comments?Ideas?Katleen Felixkfelix@fonkoze.org917-375-6902