WorldWise Microfinance works in places where systems and infrastructure simply don’t exist. It
is typical that the communities we serve are under-resourced, remote, and, at times, unstable. 
Why do we choose these communities?  Because that’s where our work is most needed.
But that choice brings unexpected challenges: Governments falter, economies shift, and safety
becomes uncertain.  Changes such as these require us to be both nimble and responsible.
One of our key responsibilities is to serve as careful stewards of the donations entrusted to us.
We treat our donors’ contributions with the same care we would treat our own funds. This is
especially important in parts of the developing world, where conditions can change rapidly and
unpredictably.

As an example, since we have been in Haiti, the government has collapsed.  Now, much of the country is under the control of gangs, yet everyday life goes on. Our borrowers, resilient, determined individuals, continue to make repayments and keep their businesses running, even if new challenges in distribution and transportation arise.

With the collapse of a functioning civil society, repayment timelines have slowed.  While
lending is still happening, we’ve had to make a difficult, but necessary, decision to freeze the
program in Haiti.

What does “freezing” mean?
Freezing a program doesn’t mean we stop all lending. In fact, loans are still being made—just
not with new funds. Instead, we’re using repayments from existing borrowers to issue new
loans. This keeps the program alive, and more importantly, we continue to help those that are
most in need. Freezing is a safeguard—for our borrowers, for our program staff, for our donors,
and for the integrity of the program as a whole.

We never take the decision to freeze a program lightly. WorldWise Microfinance remains
committed to the communities we serve. We also deeply respect the strength and
perseverance of our borrowers. Therefore, freezing a program isn’t stepping away, it’s a way to
protect and prepare to re-engage when the conditions become more favorable.

Thank you for your continued support, and for believing in our mission to stand with
communities through times of both stability and uncertainty.