Women's Village Banking was founded in 1984 and is dedicated to fighting poverty through a unique partnership relationship with indigenous nonprofit agencies. Women's Village Banking currently serves over 20,000 microcredit borrowers, benefiting nearly 100,000 people, especially women and children, in poor, rural communities throughout Central America. Women's Village Banking serves women in rural villages who are often forced to eke out a living on less than a dollar a day.
Small businesses have very modest origins and are typically based in the microentrepreneur's home.
Affordable credit and business training are simply not available to thousands of fledgling microentrepreneurs who have created their own small businesses to supplement family income. As a member of the village bank they can receive a series of small loans, training and important peer support from other members. Throughout the life of the bank, members also receive ongoing training and technical assistance to help them improve their small businesses and fully develop their human potential. Women's Village Banking is a self-help program, not a hand out. Our experience and research clearly demonstrate that the poor are highly motivated and committed to improving their standard of living, especially for their children.