The primary goal of the Widows Empowerment Program in Haiti is to revive the local economy by empowering widows to rebuild their businesses, and spread the culture of entrepreneurship in Jeremie. Based on Just Hope’s mission to make an “impact that lasts,” the program allows those who expressed a genuine desire to improve their circumstances to regain their dignity, generate household income and break the cycle of poverty. By promoting business ownership and economic empowerment, the program will also create jobs for youth and women who were living on public charity.
Initially, there will be twenty widows with prior entrepreneurial backgrounds enrolled in the program. Each will be given business skills advice, certain capital to restart the venture and mentoring sessions from senior Business Administration students of the University of Jeremie. Just Hope International is partnering with the University of Jeremie to facilitate and implement the program.