Theory of Change

Problem Statement: Haiti faces deep-rooted generational poverty, with women and children being disproportionately affected. Women, especially those leading households, are often excluded from formal economic opportunities due to gender-based barriers, lack of access to financial resources, and inadequate business training. Simultaneously, their children face significant challenges accessing quality education, limiting their future opportunities and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Vision: Home Roots Foundation envisions a Haiti where women and children, from marginalized and impoverished communities, have the tools, resources, and support necessary to achieve economic independence, access quality education, and break free from generational poverty.

Theory of Change

Goal: To empower women economically and ensure their children have access to quality education, creating a two-generational, sustainable solution that addresses the root causes of household poverty and promotes long-term socioeconomic mobility.

Inputs:

Financial Resources
Qualified trainers & Coaches
Education & Skills Development Curriculum
Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
Community Involvement

Activities

Women’s Economic Empowerment:
- Provide affordable loans and grants to women to launch or expand micro and
  small businesses.
- Deliver comprehensive business training that covers financial literacy,
  management, and entrepreneurship skills.
- Offer three years of coaching and mentorship to ensure ongoing support,
  monitoring, and guidance for women entrepreneurs.

Children’s Education & Development:
- Offer scholarships to children from these households to cover tuition and other educational costs.
- Provide tutoring services to help students excel in core subjects such as reading and math, focusing on building a strong educational foundation.
- Run life skills programs that focus on computer literacy, leadership, and personal development.

Holistic Support:
- Facilitate regular community meetings and focus groups to gather feedback from women, parents, and children, ensuring the programs evolve based on local needs.
- Use success metrics (business profitability, educational progress) to assess the impact of interventions and ensure accountability.

Outputs:

Economic Impact: 100 women entrepreneurs trained, supported, and provided with capital a year, enabling them to start or expand their businesses.
Education Impact: 200+ children provided with scholarships, tutoring, and life skills training, giving them a better chance of completing their education and pursuing future opportunities.
Increased Household Income: Women’s household income increases by 30-100% due to business growth, directly improving living conditions.
Sustainability: Ongoing coaching helps ensure women’s businesses remain profitable and sustainable over time.

Short-Term Outcomes:

Increased Financial Independence: Women become financially independent through the establishment of sustainable businesses, enabling them to provide for their families.
Educational Gains: Children improve in academic performance due to access to quality education and tutoring services, allowing them to catch up and excel in school.
Improved Household Well-Being: Families experience better living conditions, including improved access to healthcare, education, and nutrition, due to higher household income.

Medium-Term Outcomes:

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: Families experience long-term improvements in economic stability, as mothers continue to generate income and children progress academically, setting them on a path toward better future employment opportunities.
Community Empowerment: Local women-led businesses stimulate local economies, creating jobs and encouraging other women to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
Educational Continuity: Children continue to attend school and have access to resources and support that ensure academic success.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Generational Change: Women and children from supported households break free from generational poverty, fostering long-term economic and social mobility.
Systemic Impact: The model creates a ripple effect in the community, with more women achieving economic independence, and more children completing education, thereby creating a stronger, more resilient community.
Cultural Shift: Attitudes toward women in business and the value of education change, further contributing to the long-term development of gender equality and economic growth in Haiti.

Assumptions:

Women will use the resources, loans, grants, and training to build sustainable businesses.
Children, once given access to education and support, will continue to pursue higher education or vocational training.
Families will reinvest in their households and communities, creating a multiplier effect that strengthens local economies.
Ongoing coaching and community involvement will keep the programs adaptable and responsive to evolving needs.