Micro-Credit and Entrepreneurship Development

Vulnerable youth and women living within the same community, who clearly know and trust each other, come together to form a group and achieve the same goal. A total of 12 women become members of a group, they come up with simple bye-laws to guide their group and undergo business training from the organization.

The group of 12 women agrees to work together and support each other during the loan and saving process. It is through the group that Risen Sustainable Development is able to provide small loans. The group acts as security for the loan, so loans given out are based on social capital and the trust that the women generate between each other.

The group of youth and women meets weekly to repay loans, attend adult literacy classes, share about challenges and successes, and seek advice to improve their businesses. It is through the group that we provide counselling, adult literacy training, loan collection, and support to women undergoing challenging situations.

Training women in business skills and saving culture: 500 women shall be trained over five years — 100 women each year — enabling them to start sustainable businesses and create a saving culture.

Training women and youth in social enterprises such as book making, soap making, bee keeping, poultry and Vaseline/jelly making — 30 women and youth groups shall be trained depending on market demand.

Provision of low interest, friendly loans through groups, with a grace period of 3 months before repayment begins — at rates lower than commercial banks, giving women with no collateral access to capital.

Mentoring, coaching and monitoring visits are conducted weekly to different groups to follow up on loan and business performance.