English - Freedom from Hunger

A quality-of-life improvement for almost all of the mature Credit with Education program members was
associated with some growth in the family’s business that can be attributed to the loan. In Bolivia, Jeanette
told us that, because of the loans she has taken to support her stand (from which she sells “a little of
everything”), she has seen “substantial improvement in the state of the family; [we] can buy more things
and have more food.” Martha Patricia told us, “Thanks to my village bank, now there is money.” She
continues that now she is “able to buy sufficient materials…food, clothing, education and health services.”
Some, such as Gertrudiz from Mexico, attribute their participation in their village bank to having better
food, “At the very least, our food is more secure. We no longer have to worry whether there will be food
or no food. Even if it is just beans, we stay full.” In Burkina Faso, Mamounata remarked, “Ever since we
began to work with the bank, we have noticed a big change in our lives because through the loan we took
out we were able to increase our activities and make a lot of profit. This profit allows us to take care of
school fees for our children and medical expenses.” From India, Anima said her finances have improved
because of her village bank and that the loans have helped her to “eat well, wear well [have nice clothing]
and lead a luxurious life.” For the Saving for Change group members, life improvement often originated in
the savings, which they did not have prior to joining the program.
Clients also talked about the benefits of the educational sessions. In Mali, many members were thankful
for the education on the importance of breastmilk, how HIV is transmitted, and how to lower the risk of
contracting malaria. It was not unusual for members to tell us, as Anta from Mali did, that “the education
is the most important part of the group.” In Ecuador, Cecilia discussed the benefits of the business classes
in which she learned how to grow a business, choose products and manage clients.
To better understand the significance of these results, we ask the following questions: What do the
members who have benefited from the program have in common? What can we learn from the
15 members in our sample who have not yet benefited from the program and may be at risk for
dropping out?
sToRIes oF suCCess
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