The MicroDreams Foundation Inc

Our Belief:  At MicroDreams, we believe that extending financial services to low-income people – known as “microfinance” – is an effective and flexible strategy in the fight against poverty. We believe that everyone deserves access to financial services, which will help them work their way to a better future.

Working with our microfinance institution (MFI) partners, MicroDreams enables poor, aspiring microentrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses and generate income to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. We have seen the results, and we support the forgotten by going where no one else goes.

Dare to go with us on our journey!

 

 

Determination is the Path to Success. Persistence is the Vehicle you Arrive in.

Snapshot: Loloa’ivaha, a 39-year-old mother of five children, believes that determination and persistence are the key drivers of success. Six years have passed since her first loan and Loloa’ivaha now has three vehicles for her business. Prior to this, she had to hire a taxi for transportation, another cost which had financially burdened her family and business. “It enables me to widen my capabilities and take the lead role that my husband used to have. I am able to handle any problems that occur, either family or business problems,” explains Loloa’ivaha.

Loloa’ivaha’s Tale: In 2006, Loloa’ivaha and her husband started a family business selling her husband’s daily catch of fish. Unfortunately, a few years later Loloa’ivaha’s husband became ill and was unable to continue running the family business. During this time, their second son had to step in to help run the business in his father’s place. The family was burdened with financial hardship, as they were unable to meet everyday expenses such as food, clothes, and the children’s educational needs: “Every year we hardly managed to afford to buy all their school books on time.”

Even after her husband recovered, he was still facing ongoing risks of health and was unable to go fishing again. As a result, Loloa’ivaha resorted to purchasing fish from other fishermen and selling it at the local fish market. This was very costly and Loloa’ivaha felt the increasing weight of all these unsolved burdens.

Determined To Succeed: In 2009, she decided to apply for a loan through the SPBD Loan Program in hopes that it would provide the much-needed financial support for their business. Since fishing was the only viable livelihood for her family, the loan greatly impacted both their business and family. Loloa’ivaha explains that they managed to continue selling fish and that their business flourished. Her family now had enough money to purchase schoolbooks for the children on time, and they were also able to purchase a daily lunch. “I feel secure now knowing there’s an excess profit to cover things that I never thought were possible to pay on time,” explains Loloa’ivaha.

Loloa’ivaha’s determination has ensured that her two oldest children complete their education. Two of her sons have already graduated from vocational college. Loloaivaha is very thrilled with the positive outcomes that have resulted from the success of the business, and her husband is very proud that she is able to contribute to the financial stability of the family.

Congratulations Loloa’ivaha! MicroDreams continues to support the growth of SPBD to ensure that more women in Tonga and throughout the South Pacific continue to take steps out of poverty.