Supporting global entrepreneurs in the developing world with Lendwithcare loans.

Of the 700 million small business owners worldwide, less than 2% have access to financial services. Entrepreneurs in the developing world don't need handouts. They need access to safe and reliable finance to grow their businesses. That’s why we support the innovative lending initiative, Lendwithcare, which lifts people out of poverty through microfinance. Lendwithcare enables independent businesses around the world to access affordable loans where traditional business banking isn't available. Microfinance can play an essential role, helping people build their own businesses and take control of their lives.

What is microfinance?

Microfinance means financial services for poor and low-income people who lack access to formal financial intermediaries.

Access to these services means these entrepreneurs can build their businesses, support their families, provide an education for their children and enable sustainable communities.

Microfinance isn’t a charity. It’s an opportunity to support real businesses with small, affordable and interest-free loans, while simultaneously helping those who otherwise have no way of creating those businesses. Once an entrepreneur repays the loan, Lendwithcare reinvests in another entrepreneur - so money is continually recycled to help others.

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Lendwithcare partnership

We're making a tangible difference to global entrepreneurs by supporting revolutionary microfinancing initiative Lendwithcare.

Lendwithcare is simple: by making small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, we help them to run successful businesses, provide healthcare and education for their families, and create job and skills opportunities in their communities.

You choose which entrepreneurs to lend to and, once they repay the loan, you can invest in someone else or withdraw the money. You can loan as little as £15, meaning you can make a difference without breaking the bank.

Where are they now?

Updates from entrepreneurs who have received loans Lendwithcare.

Pelu Nanyangwe
Zambia

Pelu Nanyangwe

Background
Pelu lives in the Kasama District in Zambia and is part of the Misoda Group – five women collectively caring for 19 children. They started businesses to financially support their families and the orphans in their care.
Opportunity
In August 2019, the group took a loan under £700 and repaid it back within four months. Pelu used her share to buy ingredients for her restaurant, helping her to attract more customers and increasing profit.
Result
Pelu is now able to pay school fees for her children and provide meals for her family, two things which had previously been challenges.
Rehana Sharif
Pakistan

Rehana Sharif

Background
Rehana, a married mother of three, relied on her husband's £71 per month factory wage for years. To support her family, she started working as a tailor from home, sewing made-to-order clothes for women in her area.
Opportunity
Rehana took a loan under £250 to bulk buy fabric, cut costs, and boost production. She wanted to give her children a quality education so they could grow up to be successful. She repaid the loan over 15 months.
Result
Since receiving her loan, Rehana has increased her sales and was able to buy a washing machine with the profits. She also started to teach a local girl the art of tailoring, aiming to build entrepreneurship in the next generation.
Teofilo Tapales
Philippines

Teofilo Tapales

Background
Teofilo, a restaurant owner in Cebu, Philippines, and his wife started their business 20+ years ago to support their children's education and to find skilled jobs overseas. They are now caring for and providing for their grandchildren.
Opportunity
Teofilo employs a chef, cleaner, and school seller on an ad hoc basis. His first loan in 2016 helped him save and invest into his café by putting up a ceiling. In 2019, he took a second £500 loan, which he repaid in three months.
Result
Since his second loan, Teofilo has expanded his menu, which boosted his business. He bought a truck to cut transportation costs and now hopes to grow his restaurant by expanding the premises and employing his staff permanently.
Raúl Campoverde
Ecuador

Raúl Campoverde

Background
Raúl lives near the town of Catacocha, Ecuador with his seven children. Since 1989, he has been building up his farm business growing maize and peanuts on nine hectares of land, making approximately £4,000 per year.
Opportunity
Raúl took a £950 loan, repaid over 12 months, to extend his farmland lease and start growing tomatoes. He hired workers for the harvest and saved enough profit to buy land, which he plans to use for both farming and building a family home.
Result
Raúl is proud to be supporting his children and building a house, explaining that not having to pay rent will give him peace of mind and allow him to pay for his children to go to university.

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