Fōndespwa is Haitian for "Fund of Hope". It is a non-profit organization committed to providing micro-loans to poor women in Haiti, in an attempt to stem the wave of poverty and despair that grips that nation. Fōndespwa has been created to provide the poorest of the poor women an opportunity to create their own small businesses, thereby the ability to support their families. Your one time loan of $25 for 16 weeks can begin to pull a woman out of poverty and provide her with hope and dignity.

The philosophical basis for Fōndespwa is that micro-business loans and financial services in the form of savings plans allow the women of Haiti to lift themselves out of poverty. The concept is that poverty stricken individuals need a "hand up", not a "hand out", to enhance their socio-economic status. This encourages self reliance and discourages dependency.

Fōndespwa only loans to women, as modeled by the highly successful Grameen Bank endeavor. The women of Haiti are the backbone of this society, as evidenced by their willingness to work and sacrifice personal acquirements or gain, for the sake of their children's health, education and security. These loans will assist them in developing their business of growing, selling or manufacturing products such as food, textiles, cosmetics, books, etc. in addition to farming.

By pooling the generosity of individuals such as yourself, these small loans can have a profound effect on the impoverished but hardworking lives of the poor who are looking not for charity but an opportunity.

Fōndespwa not only provides finances for these entrepreneurs but also training and education. Trainings are in business areas such as accounting, marketing, purchasing, in addition to education about health plus training in leadership. Fōndespwa is committed to developing independent women leaders.