At just 21 years old, Lys Yline has already learned that every decision can shape the future.
Lys Yline lives in La Savanne, an area in the city of Les Cayes, with her 2-year-old daughter. She knows the pressure of providing for a child while trying to build a better life. As is the experience of so many young mothers, each day brought new needs, and every gourde (the local currency in Haiti) had to be carefully spent.
Lys used to provide laundry service to earn money for herself and her daughter. When she only had enough food for one person, she would ensure her daughter never went hungry.
“I used to do laundry for 1,500 or 2,000 gourdes,” said Lys. “With that money, I was able to provide a little for myself and my child. Sometimes I didn’t get [to eat] anything. If someone gave me something, I’d give it to my child and go hungry myself.”
When Lys began receiving financial assistance through Hope for Haiti’s Digital Cash Assistance (DCA) program, in collaboration with VIA Sciences and the Stellar Development Foundation, she suddenly had options.
Through this program, food-insecure mothers in southern Haiti receive a monthly digital cash stipend of US stablecoin (USDC) into their VIA Wallets, which can then be transferred directly to vendors to purchase goods, or cashed out.
Lys could have spent the entirety of her stipend on immediate household needs, but she envisioned something more for herself, so she rented a wheelbarrow and started a small business.
It was a simple decision, but one that reflected her determination to create opportunities that would last beyond the assistance itself.
“At first, I didn’t withdraw any money. I bought my groceries from the vendors (using VIA Wallet) and went home,” said Lys. “Then I thought, ‘My child is starting school this year,’ so I went to withdraw the remaining money, rented a cart, and bought food to sell at the market.”
Today, that strategic investment continues to help Lys earn an income while caring for her daughter. It has also given her confidence in her ability to provide for her family and plan for the future. Lys hopes the DCA program will continue so she can grow her business and continue to provide for her family.
For Lys Yline, the greatest change was not simply receiving financial support, it was discovering that one opportunity, paired with determination and hard work, could become the beginning of something much bigger. Her journey reminds us that when families are empowered to make their own financial decisions, they can transform temporary support into lasting opportunities for themselves and for the next generation.
You can help support more mothers like Lys by donating to our Economic Development program today.
