PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Ask Bill Clinton to Support Microfinance in Haiti
  1. Signatures
    4,982 out of 5,000
    Petitioning
    1. Former President of the United States (Bill Clinton)
  2. Created By
    FINCA International
About this Petition Petition Letter

Many Haitians are especially hard hit by the world economic crisis, still recovering from last year's devastating hurricanes, and a staggering two out of three Haitians are unemployed. Right now, 80% of Haitians live in poverty, and more than half struggle to survive on $1 a day.

Former President Clinton is the UN Special Envoy to Haiti and recently returned from his third trip to the area.  At the top of his priorities for the area is sustainable job creation.

There may be no better way to create sustainable jobs in places like Haiti than microfinance.  These small loans, often less than $100, help impoverished women begin or expand a small business, leading them to self-sufficiency and enabling them to feed, shelter and educate their children.

President Clinton has been a supporter of microfinance around the world, and no one could do more to encourage the effective use of microfinance in Haiti than the former president.

Please sign our petition to former President Clinton, encouraging him to make microfinance a priority in his efforts to help alleviate poverty in Haiti. 

Recent Signatures

Please Support Microfinance in Haiti

Dear President Clinton,

As you know, the situation in Haiti is dire. Two-thirds of the population is unemployed and over half live on less than $1 a day.

You are in a unique position as the U.N. Special Envoy to Haiti to influence economic development in this impoverished nation. With your stated top priorities including sustainable job creation, I urge you to continue the support you’ve shown for microfinance around the world and consider it as a practical solution in Haiti.

With microfinance, hard-working people can break the insidious cycle of poverty. With these loans, small businesses are launched and expanded, to the benefit of not just the entrepreneur, but her family and community as well.

You have long been an ally in promoting microfinance to create jobs and change lives. Now with your focus on Haiti, you have the opportunity to expand the benefits of microfinance in the country.

You've said in the past "...that Haiti has a remarkable opportunity to escape its past. There is a deep, wide sense that we can -- and should -- support [Haiti]."

Please support these small loans that make big changes and help Haitians lift themselves up from poverty.

Thank you for efforts on behalf of the Haitian people.

[Your name]

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