The Hidden Stories
While we might be making a name for ourselves as the Basket Ladies, our core work is providing microloans to women. The baskets, the spoons, the jewelry—that’s what funds our microloans, and we’re honored to be able to also support small African artisans and share their beautiful goods with you.
Our Microlending Program for Women
Last month, our team made the rounds in our community and delivered hundreds of items to our members. There are a few stories hiding in the last round of loans we provided to women in our community. Can you spot them?
- Iron Sheets: 80
- Mattresses: 17
- Water Tanks: 12
- Plastic Chairs: 225
- Tables: 4
- Smart Phones: 2
- Stand Fan: 1
- Plates: 1
- Cups: 1
- Televisions: 2
- Building materials: 6
- Hot Pots: 4
- Sufarias: 1
- 6KG Concrete Bags: 3
- Sewing Machine: 1
- Beds: 5
- Cushions: 17
- Electric Iron: 1
- Barber Machine: 1
- Water Kettle: 1
- Blowdryer: 1
The Stories of Impact of Microloans for Women
First, these women's homes are getting a major upgrade: Thatched roofs replaced with iron sheets, concrete walls instead of mud bricks, and chairs to sit on instead of the ground.
If you look a little more closely, you'll see that businesses are being started and strengthened: A blowdryer and barber machine for a small salon, a sewing machine for a budding seamstress, and smartphones that simplify transactions.
All of these items might seem small and inconsequential, but quite the contrary. When you consider that many of these women live in small homes made from mud bricks with thatched roofs with no electricity or water, a mattress and a new set of chairs is a substantial investment in their quality of life. And that's so important. Every day shouldn't be laden with struggles and discomfort. These women deserve full lives, and you're helping to give that to them.
We hope this update has given you a little more insight into our microlending program for women, and how you help make that happen through your donations and your purchase of our goods.