Itiweni Luhwago , Tom Hendrickson

 

 
Tom Hendrickson introduced Itiweni Luhwago from Iringa Hope in Tanzania. Itiweni shared with our club how microfinance is changing lives in rural Tanzania.
 
Iringa Hope has been developing village micro-loan funds in the Iringa District of Tanzania since 2007.  
 
Currently the Iringa Hope team is working in 39 villages. 27 villages have established SACCO and are making loans. Several new village funds are expected to be operational by year end. Loans are made for income producing activities, primarily for farming or raising livestock.
 
The results have been dramatic! Higher family income, children able to attend school, less malnutrition and a stronger local economy.
 
2014 ended the year with the new office facility in Iringa nearing completion. The first AMCOS were started and were well received. The AMCOS (Agricultural Marketing Coops) help the community buy seed and fertilizer as a group.
 
For more information visit, www.iringahope.org