Hundreds of Rotary clubs across Great Britain & Ireland have been supporting Lendwithcare since 2011. They have raised funds to make small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries allowing them to start and expand their businesses and work their way out of poverty.
Lendwithcare is a revolutionary way to help people in low income countries to work their way out of poverty with dignity.
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Lendwithcare allows you to lend as little as £15 to fund a small business and once your money is repaid you can choose to recycle your loan to support another entrepreneur, or withdraw your money.
Tracey Horner, Head of Lendwithcare praised all Rotary clubs who have been able to contribute towards the £1.3 million lent to entrepreneurs through Lendwithcare.
Mr Sar Sok who borrowed the loan from LendWithCare to purchase two hectares of rice paddy to produce his rice for sale
She said: “We have been bowled over by the amount of time and effort the many clubs have dedicated to raising funds to lend, and their commitment to continuing to recycle their loans.”
The partnership between Rotary and Lendwithcare began in 2011 when Currie Balerno Rotary Club in Edinburgh invited Lendwithcare to talk at one of their meetings after hearing a feature on microfinance on the radio.
Mrs. Bui Thi Phuong of Gia Mo village, Hoa Binh province in the northwestern of Vietnam
Since then, they have continuously made generous loans to entrepreneurs as hundreds of other Rotary clubs followed their lead, allowing small loans to create a huge impact.
Tracey added: “When we did our first talk at Currie Balerno Rotary Club in Edinburgh to tell them all about Lendwithcare, we didn’t dream it would lead to so many other clubs getting involved and an official partnership with Rotary!
“They loved the idea, and it spread from there,” she said.
“It became clear quite quickly that Lendwithcare was a brilliant fit with Rotary’s values, and the partnership has grown and evolved along with the loans and the businesses they support.
“It continues to be a fantastic partnership, and we hope Rotary continues on to the next million – and beyond.”
Lendwithcare Fact file:
- Lendwithcare is an initiative of poverty fighting charity, CARE International UK.
- CARE fights poverty and injustice in 87 countries around the world to help the world’s poorest people find routes out of poverty.
- CARE’s innovative solutions aim to ensure that poor people across the world have access to the financial tools and training they need to lift themselves out of poverty.
- 100% of loans go to the entrepreneurs. Please consider supporting Lendwithcare with a donation to help support even more people in poor communities to lift themselves out of poverty.
Despite reaching the £1 million milestone, Rotary clubs are showing no signs of slowing down as loans continue to change people’s lives.
She praised the work of John Crowe at Nantwich Rotary in Cheshire whose club has been at the forefront of the scheme.
The Cheshire club has lent more than £60,000 to almost 11,000 entrepreneurs in 11 countries. From figures published earlier this year, the club has helped 34,184 family members and created 2,582 jobs.
Mable Chibala Kafwembe, a 41 year old widow, owns a grocery shop at Kafue estate market C-5 in Kafue, Zambia
John said: “Nantwich Rotary is proud to be part of this fantastic initiative.
“Lendwithcare is a great way to help people out of poverty. You see exactly who the money is going to and what they will use it for.”
Rotary in East Anglia (District 1080) is also one of the pioneering areas for Lendwithcare, through the work of Nick Corke and Brian Davies. “They were very supportive of Lendwithcare in the early years and set up our most prolific lending team,” added Tracey.
“Through Lendwithcare, Rotary has helped change the lives of more than 5,000 entrepreneurs around the world so far.”
It continues to be a fantastic partnership, and we hope Rotary continues on to the next million – and beyond.”
And with the environment now Rotary’s seventh area of focus, the Lendwithcare chief said that this opened up even more horizons for closer working.
She explained: “There is so much scope for the future – with Rotary focusing more closely on the environment, and Lendwithcare seeking to invest in more and more small businesses that preserve, protect and improve the environment.
“For example, like our loans for solar lighting and bio-fuel loans. We’re now turning our attention towards businesses that are helping to reforest the Amazon rainforest. It feels like Lendwithcare and Rotary are moving in the same direction, and there’s so much to look forward to together.”
Lendwithcare is keen to get more Rotary clubs involved. For information visit their website or contact: info@lendwithcare.org.
