Over the years, West Indies Self Help (WISH) has evolved its entrepreneurial and economic programs from simple job creation to a sophisticated model of community-led enterprise. Located on the island of La Gonâve, their approach focuses on providing the infrastructure, capital, and training necessary for Haitians to launch self-sustaining businesses.
The following synopsis outlines the primary entrepreneurial pillars WISH has developed:
Infrastructure as a Business Catalyst
WISH recognizes that entrepreneurship is impossible without basic utilities. They have strategically used infrastructure to spark local commerce:
- The Ice Plant: One of WISH’s most successful long-term enterprises is its commercial ice plant. By selling over 500,000 lbs of ice annually, WISH doesn’t just generate revenue for its mission; it provides a vital resource for local vendors and fishermen to preserve products, enabling them to reach further markets.
- Water and Power Sales: By providing reliable access to clean water and solar-generated electricity, WISH creates a “utility backbone” that allows small shops, repair stalls, and ministries to operate with consistency that was previously impossible.
Vocational and Skill-Based Training
WISH has historically focused on “Professional Training” to move individuals from unskilled labor to specialized entrepreneurship and trades.
- Trade Development: Over the decades, they have trained hundreds of local residents in construction, mechanical repair, sewing, welding and dental assistance.
- Local Employment: WISH maintains a policy of employing a large full-time Haitian staff (@ 30 permanent roles). These employees are trained not just as workers, but as managers, learning the logistics and financial oversight required to run large-scale community projects.
Summary of Philosophy
The “Self Help” in their name is the guiding entrepreneurial principle. WISH moves through three distinct phases with every program
| Phase | WISH Role | Local Role | Economic Goal |
| Initial | Investor/Builder | Trainee/Worker | Job Creation |
| Intermediate | Mentor/Supplier | Supervisor/Manager | Skill Mastery |
| Ultimate | Consultant | Owner/Entrepreneur | Community Autonomy |