When a group of about ten women gathered in 1992, they laid the groundwork so that a mere three years later over 2000 women are at work thanks to Women's Opportunity Fund loans. The growth curve to the right shows that our commitment to long-term, sustainable strategies is paying off today with dramatic results. The Facts Women who have no access to credit are welcomed into Trust Banks based on character references, not collateral. We target the poorest of the poor.
Women join solidarity groups to guarantee each other's loans, and provide support to each other.
First-time loans are small, to help women build confidence and experience. As they repay, women are given larger and larger loans. The group has a vested interest in each other's success. Groups are trained to take over the management of their own loans. As they grow in leadership skills, they take on more and more responsibility.