Self-sustaining micro finance initiative issuing collateral-free, interest-bearing loans, for as little as $50, to poor women in rural East Africa to start businesses to support their families. The borrowers' priorities for the use of their profits are: better nutrition, healthcare and paying school fees for their children. WMI provides outreach in all of these areas by empowering women with options to provide better care for their families.
WMI is tackling global poverty and the disenfranchisement of impoverished, rural women. Launched in 2008 in rural Buyobo, Uganda, WMI has provided over 6,000 microloans to chronically poor women in Uganda and Kenya, many supporting AIDS orphans. Borrowers start small businesses and use their profits to pay for school fees, food and healthcare. Communities benefit as borrowers hire helpers and advocate for local improvements.
WMI will-screen, train and issue loans of $50 - $250 to 1,000 more impoverished women to start businesses. WMI will organize borrower meetings, conduct site visits, provide ongoing business education and introduce women to dealing with the local bank.
Empowering women living in desperate poverty in rural East Africa promotes in-country development from the bottom up. Women become involved in grass roots movements and advocate for far-reaching social and economic changes in their own country. The borrowers' priorities for the use of their profits are: better nutrition, healthcare and paying school fees for their children. WMI provides outreach in all of these areas by empowering women with options to provide better care for their families.
Microfinance programs can serve as the catalyst that will transform the vulnerable women of Uganda from living below the poverty line to making an income to support themselves and their families.
- Allen Kagina, Head of Uganda Revenue Authority
Total Funding Received to Date: $112,234
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $12,766
Total Funding Goal: $125,000
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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