When women are in solidarity with hope and purpose, they become strong. Some clubs regularly get together to embroider, knit, dye fabrics to sell, etc. They sing songs and chat. It's really a beautiful and hopeful sight. We began our project giving loans to women only because they can do much with small loans.
Men usually require larger amounts for farming.
Now that we have tested our administration skills and proven that the project is a success, this year we plan to begin forming men's Clubs of five members. The rest were established later and are doing well in their repayments. At the end of each loan cycle, each group assesses their own membership and ask those who did not pay their loan share to leave and a replacement is found. It has become a matter of extreme prestige to belong to the Mothers' and Fathers' Clubs. Currently, we have a waiting list of over 18 Clubs that have been formed and trained and waiting for funds.