In the coastal municipality of Aquin, Haiti, the scent of freshly baked cassava bread drifts through the air—an everyday staple that carries deep cultural roots. At the heart of this enterprise is a man named Claudy Cajour, owner of Aquin Distribution Plus, a medium-sized business with a big impact.
Through Hope for Haiti’s local business loan program, Claudy has transformed his cassava production and distribution company into a thriving engine of opportunity for his community.
Cassava bread is more than food in Haiti; it represents tradition, nourishment, and resilience. Claudy saw an opportunity to meet local demand, and now, he has built a business that could extend beyond Aquin.
With support from Hope for Haiti’s economic development program, Claudy received funding and training designed to strengthen and grow local enterprises. Our small and medium-sized business loans, offered in amounts up to $100,000, along with grants of up to $30,000 for qualifying entrepreneurs, provide capital that allows Haitian business owners to expand operations, invest in equipment, and reach new markets. For Claudy, that investment made all the difference.
Since working with Hope for Haiti’s Economic Development Manager, Wilner Saint-Preux, production and sales at Aquin Distribution Plus have significantly increased. With improved output and stronger financial management, Claudy has been able to scale operations and broaden distribution.
Today, Aquin Distribution sells its cassava products throughout the Aquin region and in major markets in Port-au-Prince, extending the reach of a locally made product while strengthening Haiti’s domestic food system.
Even more inspiring is the ripple effect. More than 20 people, many of them women, now have part-time employment thanks to Claudy’s growing enterprise. Each job represents income for a household, school fees paid on time, and greater stability for families navigating economic uncertainty.
Claudy’s story is part of a larger movement. In 2025 alone, 343 small businesses in Haiti were created with support from Hope for Haiti. Through strategic microfinance, training, and mentorship, our team equips entrepreneurs with tools to digitize operations, improve inventory management, track profits more effectively, expand customer bases, and provide affordable, locally sourced food to their communities.
By empowering local business owners, Hope for Haiti is strengthening economic resilience in rural communities, creating jobs, stimulating local markets, and reducing dependence on imported goods.
You can help support our life-changing Economic Development program with a gift of any size today!
