Building confidence, growing a flock: A young female entrepreneur’ animal breeding business in rural Haiti

Belannda Dormélus, Rode Production - Haiti

Article | 08 October 2020
Passionate about animal breeding, Belannda Dormélus, a 24-year-old woman living in a rural environment, succeeded in building her business thanks to the SIYB programme. The idea of creating a business dates to the start of Belannda’s technical career in agronomy and in breeding techniques, which has always been intertwined with entrepreneurship. As a child, her mother worked as a trader in the marketplace to provide for the family. She was a breeder as well, without technical training. Her grandmother and her sisters were also traders. Belannda watched them for a long time, but it was only after the SIYB training that she was able to start her own business.

The training was key in shortlisting her ideas for the business, and in teaching her how to manage a business. After drawing up the business plan, she faced difficulties in enhancing productivity, which was successfully overcome by the knowledge gained in the SIYB training. Now she breeds rabbits, goats, pigs, hens, works as a veterinarian, and sells credits for phone calls. Belannda’s business continues to grow, and she was able to employ three more people. So far, her business is successful and has not incurred any losses.

Belannda has also fulfilled her personal commitment to help and train people from the community, as a certified SIYB Trainer. She wants them to benefit from the training the same way she has.

The SIYB programme pushed me a lot towards success.
SIYB: a hope, a window to the future."

Belannda Dormélus