A Bank the Poor Can Call Their Own

Abstract

Prince, far away from civil strife and potential risk. Fonkoze has always chosen to locate its central offices in the heart of the capital, most recently on Avenue Christophe, just a few blocks from Champs de Mars, Port-au-Prince’s central park, and the presidential palace. This vibrant area is where the city comes alive each day with commerce, where hundreds of students pass on their way to the universities and primary schools that line the street. On the afternoon of January 12, 2010, most of Fonkoze’s leadership team was gathered on the third floor at Avenue Christophe. We heard a low groan, and then the full power of a 7.0 earthquake sent everything, including chunks of the ceiling and walls, violently flying through the air, falling and crashing around us. The walls of the building bent and split, pulverizing the concrete into a fine dust that filled the room and made it impossible to see or breathe. Those who were not trapped ran for the staircase and the lone exit from the building, tripping and falling into the courtyard as the ground continued to sway beneath our feet. Five of Fonkoze’s employees perished that day, including three from the transfer services department, which would become one of the institution’s most important functions in