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.
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.
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.