Loans disbursed through World Vision's revolving loan fund in Bogota, Colombia, for example, have been repaid at a rate of 97 percent. With this repayment rate, the loan fund quickly became self-sustaining and grew to provide three times as many loans to needy families within three years. Loan funds in 14 Latin American countries created nearly 5,000 jobs for the poor in 1996. The interest on these loans has paid for the entire cost of operations in all but four of the programs, and the capital investment continues to be recycled to new applicants as the funds are paid back. Such small businesses grow fast and people quickly learn how to take initiative.
People gain confidence.
In Kenya a group of grateful business leaders used a portion of their profits to take charge of an orphanage that was falling apart under state management. People have refurbished the local church and attendance has trebled. Alcoholism and family abuse are declining. The future of microcredit Aid organizations like World Vision are increasingly adopting credit schemes to lift the world's poor.