On Monday the 23rd, former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited Kreyol Essence’s suppliers and farmers in Mirebalais, Haiti. The visit was part of President Clinton’s tour of several projects supported by the Clinton Foundation in the agricultural, artisan and tourism sectors.
The Clinton Foundation recently invested in Kreyòl Essence to improve the production capacity of its suppliers of Haitian castor oil which will help significantly boost daily production and support the value chain of the enterprise.
Kreyòl Essence is an agribusiness that brings natural and organic hair, skin, and body products from Haiti to the world. The signature product is Haitian Black castor oil, which is known for its multiple beauty and health benefits.
“We are so honored to have the opportunity to meet with President Clinton and discuss our plans of helping to drive meaningful economic, social and environmental change in Haiti through consumer goods” said Kreyòl Essence Founder and CEO Yve-Car Momperousse. “With the support of the Clinton Foundation, we will be able to meet growing consumer demand for our beauty products, while also helping to improve rural communities and provide income generating activities for women and small holder farmers.”
Kreyòl Essence currently employs more than 50 farmers and women in Haiti. By farming and planting castor beans, the company is also helping the country with deforestation, soil erosion, and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the Clinton Foundation, Kreyòl Essence receives investment from angel investors, Yunus Social Business, Deustche Bank, and USAID.
About Kreyòl Essence:
Founded by Haitian-American social entrepreneur Yve-Car Momperousse, Kreyòl Essence is the first agribusiness in Haiti to develop eco-luxury beauty products based on unrefined castor oil. Our product portfolio consists of exotic hair & skincare products, soaps and candles. The company is vertically integrated and works extensively throughout the entire castor value chain on: farming, processing, packaging, exporting, and marketing. As a company that offers products that are “natural with a purpose”, we aim to tackle the socioeconomic disparities plaguing Haiti by developing a sustainable business model that benefits the country economically and environmentally.
Tuesday, February 24th 9:45 AM
Visit of a Cholera Treatment Center (Port-au-Prince)
President Clinton will tour the site of the Cholera Treatment Center, which is yet to open, with builders and architects, as well as Dr. Bill Pape, Founder of Gheskio and other doctors and nurses from Gheskio, who will ultimately staff the center.
Tuesday 10:45 AM visit of the J/P Haiti Relief Organization (J/P HRO) Community Center and Urban Garden
(Port-au-Prince)
Bill Clinton will tour the site along with Sean Penn and Gary Philoctete, the J/P HRO Country Director. J/P HRO supports residents in the marginalized, high-density Delmas 32 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. The organization works to transition the surrounding areas affected by the earthquake to resilient, sustainable, and prosperous communities.
