Self-Employ 50 Women in Rural Zimbabwe

Summary

A revolving loan fund has the potential to change the lives of hundreds of women and their families. A $100 business loan can be the difference between being self-sufficient or trapped in poverty.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Zimbabwe is experiencing its longest drought in 20 years, a 50% unemployment rate, and 25% of its adults have HIV/AIDS. Under these circumstances, it is impossible for poor, rural women to save enough money to open their own small businesses, such as food/beverages stands, clothing shops, and poultry farms. Expanding CAP’s Revolving Loan Fund by $5,000 will enlist 50 new women in the program, which over time, will further benefit hundreds of women.

How will this project solve this problem?

Increasing CAP’s Revolving Loan Fund by $5,000 will immediately provide 50 women loans of $100 to start their own income-generating businesses. The women will have one year to pay back the loan.To date, CAP has experienced a repayment rate of 90%.

Potential Long Term Impact

To provide 50 women in Masvingo, Zimbabwe with small loans andfor income generation activities, such as food/beverages stands, clothing shops, and poultry farms.

Project Message

Since CAP began operation in 1996, it has provided loans to over 7,000 poor families Zimbabwe. A little goes a long way in Zimbabwe and the entrepreneurial spirit of CAP’s members is amazing!
- Anuradha Srikantann, IDEX Africa Program Director

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources