Small Loans Empower Tanzanian Women

     TEDI is seeking funds to assist in expanding a micro-credit program in Bukoba, Tanzania. The Bukoba Mothers Group (BMG) established The Credit Scheme for Women Micro Businesses. Without any outside donations, BMG's 12 members saved $9,000 and began lending to women on a small scale. BMG's target borrowers are women who already have businesses in Bukoba. Most of these women have already received and repaid smaller loans.
     BMG now provides loans and business training to 18 women, enabling them to expand their businesses to the scale where they can obtain bank loans. The BMG Credit Scheme is currently sustainable. With additional capital fully implementing it’s abilities, the Scheme could continually provide training and loans to 90 women-owned businesses in Bukoba.
    TEDI is also seeking support for a rural micro-lending project which will serve several villages in the South Meru area. Arusha Archdiocesan Integrated Development and Relief Office (AAIDRO) has proposed a Meru South Credit Scheme. It will bring business expertise, entrepreneurship training and affordable loans to a rural areas currently not served by other micro-lending efforts. The Meru South Credit Scheme will be a prototype for other micro-lending and entrepreneurship training programs in rural areas.
    Unlike many of the organizations supporting and operating micro-lending programs which are based in the United States or Europe, the projects with which TEDI is working will be owned and operated by Tanzanians.