Empowering Women
Two-thirds of Five Talents' loan recipients are women, and they tend to be better at repaying their loans. Why? Check the following list of observations drawn from our programmes:
- they work better in groups where trust is based on friendship and common values (microfinance works best when groups of entrepreneurs share risk and are jointly responsible for repaying the loans)
- they are more likely to challenge the prevailing culture of dependancy on handouts
- they are less likely to drink the income - they are faithful to their word and less likely to divert the loan to other pressing needs.
- they are more likely to ensure income is prioritised to education and healthcare for their families
- they are more socially responsible employers, seeing beyond their own needs
- they are shrewd - seeing business opportunities and negotiating hard
- they handle money wisely - seeing priorities clearly, and able to appreciate longer term consequences of choices
- they are familiar with hard work - often bearing multiple responsibilities for childcare, food growing and preparation, cleaning and sometimes coping with lazy or abusive husbands.
- they enjoy being empowered with the opportunity, skills and resources to help themselves and their family.
"Women to Women" Business Trip
Five Talents took a small group of women business professionals to visit a new Five Talents microfinance partner in Iringa, Tanzania in November 2007 for a 7-day trip. This was the first of our "Women to Women" business trips. Contact the office if you are interest in joining a subsequent trip.
Women’s Fun Run
If you wish to run for Five Talents please contact the office for fundraising materials and advice.