From the start, the project has been run by club president Guy Wiltshear (pictured to the right) who has been responsible for liaising with LendwithCare to arrange loans.
They lend to entrepreneurs to start their own businesses in various developing countries throughout the world.
The entrepreneurs receive 100 per cent of the loans which are made. The loans now total 461.
This also benefits the families of the 2,575 entrepreneurs helped so far, particularly enabling them to pay for the education and welfare needs of their children.
Because they have to repay the money they have borrowed, this also gives them the dignity they richly deserve.
The default rate is very low. The Rotary club has topped up the starting amount over the years to £2,707, but because the loans are recycled after being repaid this amount has benefited new entrepreneurs to the a total amount lent of £12,831.
Currently the club is lending to people in the following countries: Ecuador, Peru, Malawi, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Zambia and Vietnam.
There are many types of business entrepreneurs helped and these include farming, fishing, retail and manufacturing … even including the construction of a solar well in Pakistan.
The Rotary Club of Stowmarket Gipping Valley is part of a regional lending team of 71 other Rotary Clubs who are members of Rotary District 1080.
This team has lent £481,670 since starting in 2012 making it third overall in terms of money lent to LendwithCare entrepreneurs in the whole of the UK.
The club meets every other Thursday usually at the Limes Hotel in Needham Market, but sometimes by Zoom.
If you would like further information contact Richard Tingey at richard@tingeys.co.uk
'What We Do' Main Pages:
The Project provides a Moses basket full of all the items both mother and baby need for the first few weeks of the baby's life.
moreA litter pick was organised by the Stowmarket Town Council in which Rotary gave a helping hand. The photo shows the Rotary volunteers waiting for the ‘off’.
moreAt the Mendlesham Street Fayre barrow of booze a hamper was raffled and the winning ticket was drawn by the May Day Queen. This raised £460. Thanks are due to resident Val Remington-Hobbs for loan of the gazebo and other support.
moreTwo pairs of specialist gloves were donated to Shaftesbury Icanhoe for use with people who find it difficult to grip items.
moreWe are collecting at Tesco in Stowmarket on Saturday 23rd November to buy hampers for families in need this Christmas. PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE.
moreWe had an interesting talk from Mike Smith of the Stowmarket Food Bank. A cheque for £500 was presented on behalf of the club by Kevin Widdick, President Elect
moreThe Club held a street collection in Stowmarket to support shelterbox in supporting those effected by the earthquake in Morocco.
moreWe held our Quiz night on Friday 27th September and what an evening it turned out to be. Our two charities benefited with being given £300 each.
moreThe Rotary Club of Stowmarket Gipping Valley continues to support Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.
moreThe concert was held on 22nd June 2024. Raised £1300 net to the Hospice. We are very grateful to the St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir and soloist Jess Hughes. A magnificent performance was enjoyed by all who attended.
moreMember Rod Curtis organised on behalf of the club some warm clothing and a bench for the Stowmarket Town Youth under 11 team who come under the auspices of the Stowmarket Town Football Club.
moreBanners celebrating the club's success in supporting Rotary Foundation Charity were presented at a meeting of the District Council.
moreThe website is now called Mid Suffolk Rotary. This is to reflect the fact that we now cover a much larger area and has been approved by RGB&I. Our previous name was the Rotary Club of Stowmarket Gipping Valley.
moreWe organised a stand at the recent (March 2024) Business Exhibition run by the Stowmarket Chamber of Commerce. Many useful contacts were made, and possible businesses being made ‘Friends of Rotary’. The photo shows club president Guy Wiltshear in front
moreStowmarket Gipping Valley Rotary Club makes an annual donation of dictionaries to local schools. The photograph shows this years President delivering books to Gt Finborough school.
moreSome of the club’s previous activities. The photo shows the recent presentation to Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service - see below. Note the Rotary emblem on the fire truck.
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