How the Savings for Transformation (S4T) Changed Orena's Life
In northern Haiti, a woman stands tall. Orena Geffrard now wears a bright smile, reflecting a profound transformation that has changed the course of her life. Her story, marked by immense challenges and unwavering determination, is a powerful testament to the impact of World Vision Haiti’s "Saving for Transformation" (S4T) program. Thanks to this initiative, Orena has overcome the economic obstacles that once weighed her down and redefined her future and that of her family.
A Life Marked by Challenges
Before joining the S4T program, Orena’s life was a daily struggle. She lived in a fragile home, exposed to the elements, where torrential rains constantly threatened her shelter. She tried various small businesses to provide for her family: selling bread, then charcoal. But the income was meager, and debts piled up. Bank loans, with their exorbitant interest rates, devoured her slim profits, leaving her trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Every day was a fight for survival, and her small business was on the verge of collapse.
“Before, I lived day to day, with no hope of getting out. The debts were crushing me, and I couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel,” Orena confides, her eyes filled with emotion as she recalls those dark times.
Discovering the "Saving for Transformation" Program
Orena discovered World Vision’s "Saving for Transformation" program in this difficult context. This initiative, designed to empower vulnerable families, offers an innovative approach based on collective savings and community support. Through a solidarity group, members can save together, access small, low-interest loans, and receive training in financial management and entrepreneurship.
For Orena, this program was a true lifeline. She joined a local savings group and began saving regularly, even if the amounts were modest initially. Over time, she gained access loans to invest in her food business. Gone were the crushing debts and credit purchases! Orena finally regained control of her financial life.
A Profound Transformation
Thanks to the savings group funds, Orena could expand her business, diversify her products, and increase her income. She began selling staple foods like rice, beans, and oil, meeting the needs of her community while generating steady profits. Gradually, she improved her home, reinforcing it to protect her family from the elements and providing a safer environment.
“Since I joined the savings group, I’ve never bought on credit! I buy with the money from the group, and I’m only moving forward in life," she declares proudly. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her eyes sparkle with ambition as she talks about her future plans. “I plan to have an even bigger business thanks to the group. I want to offer a bright future for my family’’. She dreams of expanding her product range to include essential items like hygiene products and clothing. She also hopes to support her grandchildren’s education, offering them opportunities she never had.
“I want my grandchildren to have a better life than mine. Thanks to the savings group, I can now give them that chance,” she says with emotion.
A Powerful Testimony
In the lively market of Bois-de-Lance, Orena radiates a lot of positive energy. Her radiant smile and unwavering determination remind everyone that, even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope. And for Orena and many others, that hope is called World Vision.
“I am so grateful to World Vision. They gave me the means to change my life. Today, I am proud of who I have become, and I know the future will be even brighter,” she concludes, her eyes shining with gratitude.
Her story is a powerful reminder that, with the right support and unshakable determination, every individual has the power to transform their destiny. Orena Geffrard, once trapped by poverty, is now a free, prosperous, and hopeful woman, embodying the strength of Haitian women.