1,000 Microloans for Rural Women in East Africa

Dear Supporters:

Your trust and confidence in WMI's grass-roots approach to women's economic empowerment has translated into improved living conditions for thousands of rural families in East Africa.  Because the impact of WMI backed business runs so deep and wide in rural villages and because the loan program is self-sustaining once funded, the communities where we work will be forever changed as a result of your support.

We want to introduce WMI supporters to a few of the women in the loan program who live in the villages around our western hub in Buseesa, Uganda. Borrowers have used their loans both to start new enterprises and expand existing ones. Our loans of 300,000-600,000 Uganda Shillings (about $80 to $150) may seem small to us, but to our borrowers they provide a sea change in their ability to earn money to support and educate their families. In addition to providing loans, the WMI program provides a one-week business training where borrowers learn the basics of running a business – bookkeeping and marketing. On-going peer support ensures the women stay on track repaying their loans and offers tips to business success.

Please meet:

Lukeya. She used her loan to start buying and selling matoke. Before her loan she was only selling tomatoes and palm oil but matoke (green bananas) is so popular that the business is now booming. The training has helped Lukeya track her business operations.       

Beatrice. She is grateful that this program came to her village. She thanks BCDC and WMI for the training and the loan. She has really boosted her tiny business. She now buys and sells jerricans of palm oil, mukene (small silver fish) and ground nuts (peanuts). The loan has really changed her business.

Catherine. She was selling swaths of kitenge material for many years and making a small profit. After getting a loan from WMI, she bought a manual sewing machine. Now she can make clothes for her clients and earn a much larger income. She really appreciates the loan program and from the training she has learned how to save money.

Your generosity and consideration in choosing to support WMI is giving African women the chance to work their way out of poverty and stay out of poverty.  Every contribution, every act of kindness, every outreach gesture is gratefully received and put to good use. 

We hope you have an enjoyable summer!