Micro Loans For Women Impacted by HIV/AIDS, Zambia

Looking back, 2024 was a year that made the communities we serve stronger and better equipped to navigate problems in the areas of health, education and income generation.

How we strengthen communities: We strengthen communities by the provision business training, multiple small loans, and ongoing training and support to women living in slum neighborhoods in Lusaka, Zambia. In 2024, 700 women received entrepreneurial training so they can run successful businesses, 615 women received refresher training in business, and 304 women received loans to start new businesses. At this time, more than 2,000 businesses are owned and operated by first time women entrepreneurs who are currently enrolled or graduates of Power of Love's micro loans program. Earnings from these businesses help pay for food, rent, medicines, and school expenses. With family incomes growing, more than 2,500 children attend school every year because of this program.

Each one of the women from this program, currently enrolled/graduated, is a role model and leader. Here is a story of Sue, who is currently enrolled in the program. Sue, a single mom with seven children, and two dependents received business training and her first loan last year. She used her modest loan capital of $150, to open an electrical goods store. Her business is doing well though the frequent power cuts have been a challenge. Earnings from her business have enabled Sue to rent and move into her own place.  In addition, she has been able to pay for school expenses for her children and the diet and nutrition of her family is vastly improved. With her second and third loans, Sue plans to grow her business. Her dream is to own her home and with this goal she has started making payments toward owning a plot of land. Her plan is to build a house on the plot in the next 2-3 years. 

Our experience has shown that women and children enrolled in our programs become leaders and role models in their communities and the impact is both long term and multi-generational.

We could not have done this without your support. Thank you! 

Links:

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

Power of Love's micro loans program is committed to improving the lives of women living in resource poor communities. This program trains women in entrepreneurial skills to help them run their own small businesses, and provides multiple loans with no collateral, continuous mentoring, group meetings to help them negotiate structural barriers at home, and guidance to prevent health issues unique to women. For every woman who is supported, there is a multiplier effect in the number of children and family members whose lives change significantly.

This year, 500 women have received business training. An additional 200 women will receive training by November, bringing the total to 700 women. The women, natural entrepreneurs and rapid learners, start and run successful businesses after completion of business training. They receive ongoing support, mentoring and monitoring for the time they are enrolled (about two years) in the program. After two years, most women continue to run profitable businesses and many become mentors for new loan recipients.  

One such first time entrepreneur is Bridget. In her words, “we used to wake up every day looking for jobs, like washing people’s clothes. Sometimes my children ate only once a day. It’s not easy to see your children hungry, and you have nothing to offer as a parent.” After completing business training, she received her first loan to start a business. She started selling baby clothes and plastic home goods. At this time, Bridget is doing well and is on track with repayments. She will receive a total of three loans before she graduates and her plan is to save more and expand her business. Bridget says, “my dream is to one day to wake up and find my children have completed school and are living in better communities,” This is the reason I ensure that they go to school every day. I do not want them to live like us. I am working hard so that I can manage to pay back the loan well and receive another one."

A small investment in the provision of business training and loans goes a long way in growing entrepreneurs and leaders. These new leaders strengthen their communities and never fail to inspire us. Please help us continue to increase skill levels in the community. As always, 100% of your donations go towards programs and no part is used for overheads.  

Thank you for giving women an opportunity to learn business skills and run successful businesses.

Links:

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