Microfinancing Partners In Africa

MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA (MPA) PROVIDES GRANTS FOR THE STRENGTHENING AND EXPANSION OF MICROFINANCING PROGRAMS IN AFRICA, TO EMPOWER THOSE LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY TO LIFT THEMSELVES UP WITH DIGNITY THROUGH ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION.

EDUCATION PROGRAM - EDUCATORS IDENTIFY AND AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS FACING EXTREME POVERTY, PROVIDE THEM WITH MENTORS, INTEGRATE MICROFINANCING INTO THE CURRICULUM, AND GUIDE THEM THROUGH PAY-IT-FORWARD ACTIVITIES, THEREBY EMPOWERING THEM. DUE TO EXTREME POVERTY, 52.5 MILLION GIRLS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL AGE ARE NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. A GIRL IN SCHOOL IS LIKELY TO: EARN UP TO 25% MORE PER YEAR COMPLETED OF SECONDARY SCHOOL; REINVEST 90% OF HER EARNINGS IN HER FAMILY; REINVEST IN HER CHILDREN'S EDUCATION; RESIST GENDER VIOLENCE; AND BECOME A FORCE FOR CHANGE IN HER COMMUNITY. MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM EMPOWERS EDUCATORS TO IDENTIFY AND GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN EXTREME POVERTY, ASSIGN THEM MENTORS, INCLUDE MICROFINANCING AS A PART OF THE CURRICULUM, AND GUIDE THE STUDENTS THROUGH PAY-IT-FORWARD ACTIVITIES.

THE TWO OTHER PROGRAMS ARE THE HEALTH PROGRAM AND THE CLEAN WATER PROGRAM. MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA'S SAFE WOMAN/HEALTH PROGRAM HELPS MOTHERS THRIVE VIA ACCESS TO PRE-NATAL CARE, EDUCATION AND MICROFINANCING. MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA EQUIPS MIDWIVES WITH ULTRASOUNDS TO IDENTIFY THREE HIGH-RISK OBSTETRIC CONDITIONS THAT WOULD MANDATE REFERRAL TO A HEALTH FACILITY WITH AN OBSTETRICIAN AND EDUCATING THE MOTHERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DELIVERING AT THE VILLAGE HEALTH CENTER. MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA'S WATER PROGRAM FUNDS BORE HOLES AND EASY-TO-MAINTAIN WATER FILTERS TO SUPPORT GROUPS TO MANAGE CLEAN WATER AS GROUP INCOME PROJECTS, HELP FAMILIES IN POVERTY AFFORD CLEAN WATER VIA SMALL LOANS OR PAY-IT-FORWARD PLANS, AND EMPOWERS MEMBERS TO TRAIN OTHERS.

LOANS PROGRAM MICROFINANCE LOAN PROGRAMS ARE A POWERFUL TOOL IN BREAKING THE CYCLE OF EXTREME POVERTY, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO GENERATE SUSTAINABLE INCOME AND ACHIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY. ONE IN THREE AFRICANS LIVE BELOW THE GLOBAL POVERTY LINE WHICH IS CURRENTLY $2.15 USD/DAY. POVERTY MEANS DAILY HUNGER; CHILD MALNUTRITION; LACK OF ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, SHELTER, AND HEALTHCARE; LITTLE OR NO OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO SCHOOL OR LEARN A TRADE; CONSTANT FEAR FOR THE FUTURE; AND INCREASED RISK OF EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE. MICROFINANCING "THE MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA WAY" CHALLENGES MEMBERS TO INVEST OR SAVE FIRST, CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BY HELPING GROUP MEMBERS OVERCOME OBSTACLES WHILE MANAGING INCOME PROJECTS, AND MANAGE CLEAR AND FIXED REPAYMENT TERMS.

LIVING LOANS PROGRAM - IN MANY RURAL AREAS OF AFRICA, LIVESTOCK FARMING, PARTICULARLY COW REARING, OFFERS A PROMISING INCOME-GENERATING OPPORTUNITY FOR FARMERS. THE COWS PROVIDE A STEADY SUPPLY OF MILK, WHICH CAN BE SOLD TO A LOCAL DAIRY FOR PROFIT. SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN RURAL UGANDA STRUGGLE TO GROW ENOUGH CROPS TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN OR HAVE SURPLUS TO SELL AT A LOCAL MARKET FOR PROFIT. MICROFINANCING PARTNERS IN AFRICA'S COW PROGRAM TRAINS FARMERS TO HELP EACH OTHER IN AGRICULTURAL BEST PRACTICES. ONCE THEIR "INVESTMENT" IS COMPLETE, THE FAMILY RECEIVES A PREGNANT COW. WHEN THE CALF IS BORN, THE COW PRODUCES 18-24 LITERS OF MILK EACH DAY, ENOUGH TO FEED THE FAMILY AND SELL THE EXTRA. THIS EXTRA INCOME IS INVESTED IN EDUCATION FOR THE CHILDREN, INCREASING SAVINGS, AND IMPROVING THE FARM. THE FAMILY PAYS OFF THE LIVING LOAN BY PASSING ON THE FIRST ON YEAR OLD FEMALE CALF TO THE NEXT QUALIFIED FARMER.