Microloan Foundation Usa

We enable some of the world’s poorest people to work their own way out of poverty by providing training and microloans. We help them start successful businesses to build independence and financial resilience.

What we provide

Loans and ongoing business training – these are used to start small businesses.

This helps the women to become self-sufficient for their daily needs. As a result, over time the money they earn helps to provide food security, better housing, access to healthcare, and an education for their children.

What we encourage

The training we provide ensures that our clients are equipped to manage their finances and create sustainable enterprises that will help them generate an income and provide for their families. We also focus on informing the women on the benefits of saving and encourage them to make modest savings. This is to provide insurance against future crop failure, family illness and other unpredictable situations. Consequently, this gives them confidence in their ability to weather whatever life throws at them.

How we do it

• Our Loan and Training Officers (LTOs) travel on motorbikes to rural areas to meet with community leaders.
• They identify the women who are most in need and have the potential to run a business.
• These women then form groups (around 15 members). They attend eight training sessions to learn about business principles, like how to budget and make a modest profit.
• The women in the groups receive their loans. We help them to open a bank account where they can put their savings.
• The women start trading in their new businesses. These might include selling vegetables, trading second hand clothes, or making tea and fritters.
• Every two weeks the groups have training and pay back their loans in small installments.
• After four months (on average) the women have repaid their loans and are earning a regular income. As a result they can then apply for another loan to help grow their business.
• With up to 99% of loans repaid, we use the money to help more even women start a business. Therefore, a small investment goes on working time and time again.