African Millennium Foundaton at work in Zambia-July 2009

African Millennium Foundation (AMF) http://1amf.org/index.php a US based charity in Los Angeles California is making huge strides in the lives of many families in Africa. One such family is headed by Quieen Kituta, a single widowed mother of 6 children and 3 grandchildren. In July of 2009, Lacey Uhlemeyer, program Manager for AMF and her family (shown in picture on the right) visited Savings Loans Association en route to other countries for her monitoring and site visits to come and witness first hand how small but innovative loans they provide has an impact on many families. With the small loan Ms Kituta received from her "group loan" at Savings Loans Association, she has been able to continue with her effort to raise chickens and to grow mushrooms to support her family. "Without these loans, my life would have been an uphill battle-Putting food on the table and sending my children and grandchildren to school would have been practically impossible-The loans are small: only $100 or $200 and I know that I will be able to repay back-The repayment period is equally very nice and acceptable compared to the mainstream banks and other lending institutions who may not even give you because of our poor background and no husband to support us-God is Great for groups like Savings Loans Association and Africa Millennium Foundation". Ms Kituta received a loan of $100 that she will have to pay back to her group within the agreed time frame so that others can also be supported.

African Millennium Foundation in line with the Millennium Development goals is helping organizations like SLA to address issues of poverty-One of the key solutions to poverty is a source of INCOME!

SLA with the help of organizations like AMF intends to scale up its work helping many families like Ms Kituta-But to do this "SLA requires a consitent flow of partners who can not only give us money to help communities but also help us to manage our resources and reach those who are far away in poverty stricken compounds.This should also include other development interventions such as health care, education for our children and access to clean and safe drinking water.AMF is such a good example of partners-Special thank you also goes to Malena Ruth, the Executive Director for AMF for allowing such a wonderful person like Lucey to come and visit our program" says Mary Kombe, Chairperson of SLA.

Dambisa Moyo AND DEAD AID

On behalf of everyone at Savings Loan Association, a local grassroot micro enterprise organization- we would like to support some of the views our native Zambian Economist and writer Dambisa Moyo has written in her thrilling book: DEAD AID.

Savings Loans Association http://www.sloansassociation.org/ indeed is a testimony on some of the prescriptions that Ms. Moyo preaches in her book as a solution out of poverty. At SLA, we have seen and proved that small but effective loans make a difference in the lives of the poor. Our support from passionate organizations that strongly advocate for micro loans like Color-Me-in Inc (USA) and African Millennium Foundation (USA); our own local Catholic Church at Chindwin -St Charles Lwanga Parish-clearly has seen what we can do to help poor and marginalized families tackle poverty from small loans as opposed to annual grants that come through extensive and complecated proposal writing-As a small but innovative women led organization, we believe and trust that small micro enterprise initiatives make a difference as alluded by Ms. Moyo (although at a national level she talks about macro financing). Our women groups have been able to rise above the mark by raising income from their small innovative activities such as selling well chickens or bread to well researched markets. From a monthly income of 500,000 zambian kwachas, some members are now making 800,000 (120 USD) zambian kwachas-an increase of about 300,000.This money can make a difference to send children to school,buy medicines for sick or let alone put food on the table. This approach is more effective becuase when you borrow money (small amounts) from group members, you have an obligation and commitment to pay back and be accountable to your group-Similar grounds on what Ms Moyou talks about-If Governements receive money from taxes/people, they intern will be accountable to the people they serve.

Thank you Ms Moyo for highlighting our work in your thrilling book(principle and initiatives of micro finance)-We hope that more community based initiatives will pick a leaf from your suggestions as a strategy to reduce poverty in Africa-Even though our impact at national level is very small-our support to community members as small as 20 families makes a huge difference in their lives than wondering what and where the next meal will come from. As an advocate for such an initiative, we also kindly ask you to donate even $100 to help some of our women groups as a sign of commitment to your proposal.

SLA

Ritik Tiwari from USA arrives!!!

Ritik Tiwari is a US citizen who ha a background in cognitive psychology. He has come to join our Home Based Team at SLA to be part of this passionate and caring team of members who offer their time and services at local clinics.
Savings Loans Association micro enterprise initiatives help to support those memebers who are unable to meet some of the basic costs for their care.Therefore, once again, our program proves to be an evidence-based initiative that has long lasting solutions to poverty. Ritiki Tiwari will experience workin with women groups, clinics and also provide training to some of the members in basic writing.He has also been assigned a huge task of initiating a possible partnership with another US organization for a micro loan program for a group of women who intend to run and manage an income generating program-rearing of chickens.We always emphasise the $100 donation can make a huge difference in a group of women working in their circles of families. Thank you!