"Micro Loan" project created by Women's Ministries

The Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi is proud to announce the launch of a Micro Loan Scheme for the benefit of women in the diocese.

Bishop James presided over the ceremony on 1st July 2008 and presented the first loans to thirteen beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries were drawn from five parishes, namely, Chileka, Holy Innocent, Chilobwe, Ndirande and Chilomoni.

Mrs. Ruth Banda from Chilomoni Parish was part of the training team which was comprised of Debbie and Lara from St. David's in Austin, Texas, that helped establish the scheme, and Josie Tengatenga.

Lara is a student at Sewanee and as part of her internship came to Malawi to work with Mrs. J. Tengatenga on the project. Debbie was actively involved in funding raising in the US and also conducted training together with Josie and Lara.

Trinity Wall Street has approved a grant of US$18,000 to enable the start of this special effort.

The Scheme will soon have a bookkeeper - a young gentleman named Mayamiko Chiwaula. He will work with Lara to put the accounts into a computer program.

This is an exciting project with a potential for empowerment of small business women who are often denied credit facilities by financial institutions.

Photos taken during training and the launch at the Diocesan offices in Limbe, Malawi, will be available soon.