Opportunity Fund for Developing Countries (OFDC)

EMPOWER WOMEN
Training & Village Savings and Loan (VSL)

- walking in the steps of Mohammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner & 2009 US Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

OFDC Mamas' training, Kenya

OFDC believes every women deserves the right for her voice to be heard.

Women in developing countries, traditionally own no property, have not had the opportunity to go to school, lack basic health knowledge and are forced into child marriages.

Your OFDC donation sponsors women's training, creating a forum for solidarity and strength, giving women a voice.

Classes are taught by local instructors in basic health, family planning, HIV/AIDS awareness and women's rights according to the law of their country.

Maasai women's microcrdit group, Kenya Adopting the Village Savings and Loan (VSL) model, women's groups in rural communities qualify for OFDC donor start-up funds once they have established officers, set-up bylaws and agreed on poverty alleviating steps. With a small 'push' they are ready to and run their savings and loan program.

Women are targeted for VSLs not only because of the especially disproportionate control of wealth by men, but also because of the uses which women apply their profits: improving the well-being of their families.

VSL is similar to microcredit in that it is self-sustaining and empowers women through income generation. VSL takes it a step further by turning the oversight of the funds to the women themselves.

Talek microcrdit mamas and daughters in school, Kenya Your OFDC donation established microcredit loan projects in Bolivia, Malawi and Nepal. Now OFDC is focusing on Kenya and the VSL model.

Small income generating businesses include the buying of seed to grow and sell vegetables, purchase of sewing machines for seamstress co-ops, purchase of livestock to sell the offspring, and buying bulk food items in the city to sell in smaller quantities at a profit in their villages.

Women in Developing Countries:

traditionally own no property
are generally illiterate
lack basic health knowledge

Coupled with poverty, violence against women thrives in these conditions. When women are given a voice from knowledge gained in training and, with peer support:

women's status advances and they are more involved in community decision making
their families' diet and health improves
they have fewer births
they send their children to school in greater numbers

You donation Empowering Women since 1999:

800 microcredit loans ranging from $10 to $100 empower impoverished women through income generation - many of whom are grandmothers raising their grandchildren due to parental deaths from AIDS.
7,400 women trained in basic and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS awareness, women's rights under Kenyan law and simple business practices.
3 bicycles donated so trainers can reach remote villages for trainings.
Women have a voice because of your contribution and support.

Sign announcing Women's Training