HOW WE
DO IT
Microcredit
means offering very small loans to poor people, usually women, to help
grow their small-scale businesses or start new ones.
Purpose of Mircocredit loan
As tool to alleviate poverty, to Increase income and assets to poorest
families, empower women while enhancing their roles as decision makers
within the family and pave the way for behavioral change and
achieve financial self-sufficiently.
Small Scale Business
Women are selected thru application process,
qualify, evaluated and given a small loan to start small income
generate projects. Then loan is repaid with small interest and given
to someone else who in turn repays the loan with small interest,
and the cycle continues from one family to another. --Paid-forward
principal. Each woman is required to attend by-weekly meetings,
during these meetings women are are also provided with technical
support and health education lessons
.
Vocational Education
Vocational Education consists of training young
adults to learn the skills they need for future
employment. For example, every 4 months 10 to15 clients are selected
to participate in programs such as a small sewing shop,
woodworking shop, welding shop, and Auto Mechanic shop, computer and
electronic repair shop. Once the 4 month training is completed, each clien is referred through job
search or they can apply for microcredit loan to start their own
income generated project. Girls are given scholarships to
attend nursing programs or legal secretary, web design and graphic
design, drafting, interior decorating, landscape design, or teacher
training program.
Healthcare Project
Sower International takes opportunities at a group based
microfinance bi-weekly meeting to address health issues. These
bi-weekly meetings bring poor women together, who all get a
chance to share their views and express their opinions about
the program and participate in improving the program procedures. Each
meeting focuses on one or two of the following topics:
-
Family planning
-
Women’s health
-
Integrated management of childhood illnesses
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Immunization
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Diarrhea prevention and treatment
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Early Child Development 0-5
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Income generated projects
Independent living for disable
Sower International works with other organizations
to distribute wheelchairs to the disabled. We receive our wheelchairs from
the US and distribute them for free to disabled people in Tanzania. This
project has touched our heart and makes our clients
able to live independent lives. Every 3 months we hold
events in two different places Dar-es-salaam, and Arusha.
Empowering children and youth
Providing a formal education children need is crucial. We protect each child by
providing immunization shots, proper nutrition, Tuberculosis tests, mosquito
nets, school supplies, clothes, and shoes. This way we
will be ensured each child grows up in a safe and protective
environment while maximizing their educational learning.
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