Micro Loans For Women Impacted by HIV/AIDS, Zambia

We are proud to share that in the next two months, 611 women will receive training in business and entrepreneurship. Post training the women gain confidence running a business and join our current group of entrepreneurs.  Almost all women attribute their business success to the training and ongoing support they receive as they go through multiple loan cycles. 

The goals of our women's empowerment program are: (i) equip women with the tools to run a successful business, (ii) create conditions for women to be socially empowered, and (iii) ensure that the women have gathered enough capital and savings so they can continue to operate a profitable business even after graduating from the program. Trainees get an opportunity to discuss business issues and external challenges with mentors in the same line of business. All modules are supplemented with hands on exercises, work sheets, real world examples, and group discussions. Social issues, possible challenges and how economic independence can lead to empowerment are also discussed. Business training modules include: simple business concepts, costing, pricing, saving and banking, and creation of a simple business plan. Training is participative, hands on, and in the local language as most women have never been to school and many do not know how to read or write. In addition, most women are single and care for multiple children with few resources.

Upon completion of business training, the women are better equipped to run diverse businesses such as groceries, live chicken, sausages, soft drinks, dress stores, hair salons, photocopying services, used shoes, used clothing etc. Earnings from these businesses help pay for necessities and school expenses. In the short/medium term, there is an improvement in diet and health, fewer missed days from work, higher school attendance, and more children in school. In the long run, there is a reduction in poverty, an improved skill set, higher earnings potential for families, and an improvement in gender inequality.

Thank you for making a significant improvement in the lives of Zambian families.

Links:

• About our micro loans program
• Mechanics of this program
• Stories of Women Running Successful Businesses

Cholera outbreak: Climate change continues to disrupt lives in Africa, causing prolonged droughts and unexpected rains. Since last January, Zambia has been battling a significant cholera outbreak spreading across several districts. With continuing rains, the risk of cholera spreading further remains high, especially in densely populated areas. The Zambian government has designated Matero, the slum we work in, as the epicenter of the outbreak. 

Our response: Our ground team is actively working with all 630 families enrolled in our micro loans program and an additional 500 families enrolled in our pediatric care HIV program. These families received education on cholera prevention and essential supplies such as chlorine to treat drinking water and hand sanitizers. With families safe from cholera, our goal is for the women to continue to run successful businesses, and children to attend school.

Our Plan: While we continue to reinforce prevention behaviors, the ultimate solution lies in ensuring access to clean water. Next month, our plan is to deliver Safe Water Filtration Systems to over 700 families and train them on the proper usage, storage and maintenance of the Safe Water Filtration system. This will ensure that beneficiary families have reliable access to safe drinking water.

We need your support: Many of you stepped up to help prevent cholera last year, resulting in zero cases of cholera amongst beneficiary families. Your support saves lives by keeping children and families safe from ill health. Also, please consider donating generously to help provide Safe Water Filtration Systems to families that lack access to clean water. Every dollar counts. And, as always, 100% of your donations go towards programs and no part is used for our overheads.  

Thank you!

Links:

• About our micro loans program
• Impact of our Microloans Program
• Mechanics of this program