The aims of the project

To allow 180 host families to manage an activity that can generate income

Beneficiaries

As has already been mentioned everything is done to help the child in his/her re-insertion into the community Work has to be done with the relations to help them take care of these children. The micro-credit project is aimed at strengthening the financial capabilities of 180 families in order to help their orphans. It is important to bear in mind that the heads of these families are often elderly or ill which means that great care has to be taken when initiating these projects. 96% of these heads of families are female.

Training of the groups and the handing out and follow up of credits

Having analyzed the situation of the families in need of help we decided to start a project of micro-credits. Thanks to these credits the target groups are able to manage an activity which can generate an income. These projects also have an educational value as it includes training in budget management and agricultural techniques. We have employed a new social worker who has received full support in the setting up of the project. In 2008 6 self help groups, mainly composed of women, were formed in some of the villages and various activities saw the light of day. The members elected a President, a treasurer and a secretary. Statutes defined for each individual group have been added to the basic predefined ones. Before any loan can be offered each person must have saved up 10% of the amount they want to borrow and that amount given to the treasurer. Then it is the group as a whole that requests the loan. Repayments are then made, monthly, to the bank on an account set up for this purpose. We chose this way to make the people feel responsible for their project. In fact, should one member of the group not be able to honour a repayment the others will take over. Thus, each person feels the pressure of the group. In 2009 180 families will benefit from these loans.