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NEWSLETTER
An introduction to
MicroFinancing Partners
in Africa
Our Mission
We empower those living in
extreme poverty to lift
Microfinancing —The Concept themselves up with dignity
Imagine that you are a banker in charge of approving business loans. What would through access to financial
you do if a person, homeless and without collateral, asked you to provide a small services and education by
providing grants for the
loan, even $5, to start a business? Not too long ago, the common response would
strengthening of
have been an overwhelming, “NO.” microfinancing programs in
Africa.
Thanks to Muhammad Yunus, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with
microfinancing, it has been proven that granting such a loan request can be an
excellent social business proposition. Microfinance offers access to high quality
Our Vision
financial services – credit, savings, insurance, and fund transfers – to those who Our vision is the eradication
otherwise would not have such access. In its purest form, microfinancing is a small, of extreme poverty in
collateral-free loan to an individual to jump-start an income-generating activity. African communities
through microfinancing.
Muhammad Yunus focuses on those living in extreme poverty and incorporates
principles of “just” credit: offering a fair and fixed interest rate, expecting interest to Our Beliefs
be paid only on the remaining balance, offering a reasonable pay-back period, and
including a program of training and support to foster the ability to repay the loans. People have the right, the
In partnering with groups in Africa, MPA bases its microfinancing practices on the will and the capacity to
Muhammad Yunus model. direct their own future.
Jamii Bora, which means “Good Family” in The Uganda Cow Project is located in
Swahili, is based in Nairobi, Kenya. It was Masaka Diocese in southeastern Uganda.
founded by Ingrid Munro and 50 beggar The project trains families in the proper
women. Now over 300,000 members care for the cow, sanitation for the family,
strong, Jamii Bora’s microfinance success and principles of zero grazing agriculture.
comes from a belief in the inner strength Preparation of the farm and cow shed can
and beauty of every human being. take up to three years!
In order to be eligible for a loan, members The trained family receives a pregnant cow
first must save, even a small amount. as a living microloan and passes on the
Jamii Bora will match the savings with a first female calf to the next waiting family
loan, and as loans are successfully repaid, as part of the repayment of the
larger loans may be taken. Groups of five microloan. They also participate in
members guarantee each others’ loans encouraging and training other farmers.
and meet weekly to support each other.
The payback rate is 98%. The cow provides milk for the family to use
and to sell. Caritas MADDO runs a dairy
Benefits to the members in Jamii Bora and offers a fair and reliable market for the
include group support, business planning farmers to sell their milk. The cow’s waste
and training, and rehab services; health, is used for fertilizer for the crops and for
life, and disaster insurance; access to biofuel for cooking and lighting the house.
savings accounts in the new Jamii Bora
bank; and even down payment on The living
a home. loan of the
cow, the
Loans may be as small as 50 training, and
cents, with an average loan of the support is
$30 to start a business and bring $800.
it to full production.
BUWEA: Educate a
woman; educate a nation
In Bukoka,Tanzania, a
cooperative of about 127 women
from the 35 nearby villages makes up the alternative to dairy milk. This project will
Buwea Women’s Empowerment Association expand farming capacity in the group’s
(BUWEA). Located in an area of extreme 50-acre soy bean farm, build and equip a
and near-extreme poverty on the coast of two-room workshop to process and package
Lake Victoria about 90 km south of Masaka, soy milk, and offer entrepreneurial and
Uganda, BUWEA has many empowerment employment opportunities to the women
projects. One is a Revolving Loan Fund members.
from which members may borrow to start or
build an income-generating activity. MPA is Revolving loans in this program, at an
partnering with BUWEA to build the Soy average of $100, can get a BUWEA
Bean Project. In an area where dairy cattle member started in the Soy Project.
are scarce, soy milk is a nutritious
Place
Postage
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Donate
Funekas
As a registered 501(c)3, non-profit organization, all gifts to
In Swahili, “Funekas” means “The Wanted Ones,” and
MicroFinancing Partners in Africa are tax-deductible. You
our volunteers certainly are! MicroFinancing Partners
can donate by check made payable to MicroFinancing
in Africa wants and needs the gift of your time and
Partners in Africa or credit card via our website,
talents. MPA would not exist without the endless
www.microfinancingafrica.org. Bequests are also
support of our valued volunteers. For questions, please
appreciated. Please contact Heather at (314-776-1319) or
contact Mary Lou at (314) 776-1319 or
hcammarata@microfinancingafrica.org
mlbennett@microfinancingafrica.org.
For Further Information:
Ambassadors
Check out our website, www.microfinancingafrica.org, to
MicroFinancing Partners in Africa Ambassadors are
find our Facebook page, to sign up for newsletters, to get
men and women who spread the word about MPA and
information on hosting a third-party fundraising event for
our mission. For questions, please contact Sister Liz
MPA, and much, much more!
at (314) 776-1319 or
lpeplow@microfinancingafrica.org.
We thank you for your support!
Invitiation www.microfinancingafrica.org
Invite MPA to do a presentation in your home, at your 4949 Columbia Avenue
school, or for a club you belong to. St. Louis, MO 63139
314-776-1319