Why we’re investing in entrepreneurs in Haiti
The entrepreneurial spirit is a powerful force for change. So through Virgin Unite I’m delighted to be investing in an innovative new initiative to support entrepreneurs and reforest Haiti.
It’s a really exciting model and there are already some great businesses demonstrating it at work. Take Kreyol Essence, a beauty products business set up by the incredible Yve-Car Momperousse and inspired by a bad hair day! Their goal is to plant over 40,000 castor oil plants and create 300 jobs over the next three years – so Yve-Car’s success is success for Haiti and her people too.
7 Virtues is another example, a fragrance brand we stock on Virgin Atlantic. When founder Barb Stegemann’s best friend was in hospital after being injured in Afghanistan she promised him she’d take on his mission of peace. 7 Virtues was the result and alongside products from Palestine, Afghanistan and Rwanda they’ve created a world-class fragrance from Haitian Vetiver. Their Vetiver is grown by local smallholders who are paid a fair wage to manage and supply a sustainable crop.
Haiti Forest aims to plant over a million trees each year, reforesting 1,000 hectares around the town St Michel de l’Attalaye, and improving livelihoods for over 4,400 farmers as well as creating an additional 200 jobs outside the farming sector. In total the economic impact is estimated to be over $4 million yearly revenue across the whole ecosystem.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas, yet having visited this beautiful country I’ve seen first-hand the passion and talent of her people. Through supporting entrepreneurs we can help them develop this country to be prosperous for both its people and the land.
