Testimonials

Rather than try to combat poverty from the top-down, microenterprise fights poverty from the ground up by working to directly to change the lives of those most affected by poverty.

Bishop Simon Chiwanga, Tanzania

 

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Peru

Peru

Background

This micro-credit programme operates in the district of San Juan de Miraflores in Lima - a slum district of Lima where rural people have migrated to the city looking for work. The district has a population of around 367,000 inhabitants, with an extremely high population density of 15,310 inhabitants per square kilometer. Of the residents, 6.3% are suffering from chronic malnutrition. Most housing is inadequate and lacks basic services such as water and drainage. Eight out of 10 heads of homes do not have a primary level of education. The women represent a particularly vulnerable group. Unemployment and under-employment affects at least 50% of the population nationally. In April 2009, ECLOF, with financial support from Five Talents, expanded it's services into Huancavelica, the poorest area in Peru.

Project Description

Five Talents is part of a three-way partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Peru and the Ecumenical Church Loan Fund (ECLOF) – Peru. Five Talents has provided loan capital, while ECLOF manages the project and the Diocese help to provide oversight and guidance.


The project adopts the group-lending strategy. Women entrepreneurs are given priority in membership of the so-called Solidarity Groups. Group members receive training before loan distribution and while the loan is in effect. Loans are disbursed in the form of “credit steps” which begin with £100. After full and timely repayment over 4-6 months and as the business expands, loan sizes increase.

Please consider supporting this programme. Your donation will achieve the following impacts:

By the September 2010 the project had supported 189 Community Banks and 422 Solidarity Groups, as well as helping 2,213 clients directly.