A Modern Approach to Learning
Challenges
In Tanzania, women are among the poorest in their nation, despite serving an important role in their rural economy. Tanzanian women farm, sell fruits and vegetables, transport heavy loads of water and firewood, and care for their family. It is not uncommon to meet women who raise families in the absence of a man who might labor away from home, has other families, or never returns for financial or health reasons. While education would be a path out of poverty, many Tanzanian women don’t have access to it.
Multi-faceted Approach
We assist local women to create and control their own self-help organization. Since they know best what they need, they decide what businesses to run that would work best in their local economy.
- The women's group democratically decides who gets the loans. Those women with the greatest financial need, such as single mothers and widows, are given priority.
- The members decide the entrepreneurial guidance that they need.
- The"bank" is funded by the group's members and any income earned from the fund.
- Money borrowed from the fund is paid back with interest. The terms and conditions are defined by members.