What we do for budding entrepreneurs

Microfinance is usually aimed at economically active poor and low-income people who have limited or no access to the services provided by formal financial intermediaries such as banks. Since there are so few salaried work opportunities, they are usually self-employed microentrepreneurs often working from home. Typically, they operate small businesses such as grocery shops, market stalls, car repair, carpentry or other workshops, and in rural areas they tend to focus on food processing, agriculture and raising livestock and poultry. Around two-thirds of microfinance clients worldwide are women.

UPDATE October 2021 - Our club has taken part in this International project for 7 years. We have made 105 loans enabling 389 people to start or continue small businesses, mainly in Africa, South America and Asia. It has created 287 new jobs and benefited 1814 people, including family members and employees. Total lending by the Club amounts to £12466 which includes funding provided by the Club and recycled funding arising from repayments which currently stand at about £9000 over the 7 years. Refunding is necessary from time to time as LWC request a voluntary charge of 10% on each loan. We pay it to enable the project to continue. Our club introduced an additional £5000 to help make up this expense about 3 years ago enabling us to continue with this very worthwhile International project.