Helping people to stand on their own feet financially is providing an opportunity to demonstrate as well as talk about God's love and care to villagers untouched by traditional evangelism. The loan project is run by YWAM workers in cooperation with a local church born out of the mission's long-standing work in two former refugee camps in the area. Money is available to Christians and non-Christians alike, with each application considered by members of a small local committee. Loans, usually running to a few hundred dollars, are made with a monthly repayment rate of 1.5 per cent - far below the typical market rate, which runs more than 60 per cent per year. Eighty-three loans have been completed, with another 106 ongoing.
Lenders receive ongoing advice and support from fund organizers.
The program is run through YWAM's Project Life Foundation, established in 1983 to oversee a wide range of relief and development projects in the country. Recipients of relief are sometimes made to feel that they can't do anything themselves to become self-sufficient, and so they develop a mentality of dependence. Micro-credit tackles this by freeing the individual, enabling them to take care of themselves and releasing them to believe in themselves so they can provide for their families. This is especially important in Thailand where an estimated 80 per cent of rural Thais live in debt. It also provides a natural opportunity for ongoing interaction with the poor and needy where Christians can portray Jesus through their actions.