Rebuilding Trust in Investment: The Haitian Journey Towards Collective Ownership

5 janv.
3 min de lecture

In a crowded tap-tap rattling through the streets of Port-au-Prince, a group of friends lean in close, voices low but urgent. The word “investment” slips into the conversation, and instantly, a nervous laugh breaks the moment. “Nou wè sa deja,” one says, shaking his head. “We’ve seen this before.” The others nod, eyes wary. It is a scene repeated in homes, markets, and family gatherings across Haiti and its diaspora. The word “investment” does not spark hope or excitement. Instead, it stirs memories of broken promises, vanished projects, and leaders who never explained what happened.

This hesitation is not born from ignorance. Haitians know what investment means. They have lived through the consequences of misplaced trust. Their caution is a shield forged by experience. This article explores why Haitians do not trust investment easily, why that distrust is justified, and how a new way of thinking about investment could honor their dignity and desire to build lasting legacies.

Why Distrust Exists

For many Haitians, the word “investment” carries the weight of disappointment. Stories circulate of projects that promised jobs and growth but disappeared without a trace. Scams drained savings from hardworking families. Leaders spoke in grand speeches but left communities in the dark. These experiences are not isolated; they are part of a collective memory.

Past scams drained money from people who could least afford to lose it. From fake cooperatives to fraudulent schemes, many have been burned.
Empty promises from development projects left towns waiting for roads, schools, or clinics that never came.
Disappearing projects created a cycle of hope followed by silence, eroding faith in any new initiative.
Leaders who never explained decisions or outcomes left communities feeling powerless and confused.

This history has taught Haitians to be cautious. They are not ignorant of investment’s potential. Instead, they have learned that trust must be earned, not given freely.

Eye-level view of a crowded tap-tap bus with passengers engaged in conversation — Friends discussing investment in a tap-tap in Port-au-Prince

Haitians Are Right to Be Cautious

Distrust is often seen as a problem to fix, but in Haiti’s case, it is a protective response. Trust should never be demanded. It must be built on clear structures, transparency, and time. Haitians’ skepticism is a form of wisdom, a refusal to be hurt again.

Trust is not a blind leap. It is a slow process of seeing results, understanding rules, and feeling included. When investment projects fail to show their work or involve the community, they break this trust. Haitians are right to expect more.

Changing the Story About Investment

The problem is not investment itself. Investment can be a powerful tool to build homes, schools, businesses, and futures. The problem lies in how investment has been presented and practiced in Haiti.

Too often, investment comes wrapped in speeches and promises that sound good but lack substance. Real investment is slow, visible, and sometimes boring. It is built on assets that people can see and touch, not on words that fade.

A New Way of Thinking About Investment

Imagine investment as a shared journey, not a gamble. This means:

Community-based ownership where people have a real stake in what they build together.
Small participation instead of big risk so no one loses everything if things go wrong.
Real assets like land or tangible projects that hold value beyond words.
Clear rules, traceability, and shared responsibility so everyone knows what is happening and can hold each other accountable.

This approach respects Haitian values of solidarity and resilience. It builds trust by making investment a collective effort, not a distant promise.

High angle view of a small Haitian community garden with people working together — Community members tending a shared garden in Haiti

Honoring Dignity and Legacy

At its heart, this journey is about dignity. Haitians want to build something that lasts, something their children and grandchildren can inherit with pride. They do not lack courage or intelligence. They have shown time and again their ability to create, to survive, and to dream.

Investment should be a tool that supports this spirit, not one that exploits it. It should help Haitians reclaim control over their future and build legacies rooted in trust and shared effort.