(Revolving Funds)
One of the Association’s most important initiatives is the Revolving Funds program. The objective of this program is to give women access to income-earning opportunities by providing them with a small amount of capital to start a project. Women from the same aldea, or village, organize themselves into small groups and apply for funds together. They must also return the funds together. The group can repeat this cycle several times until their projects become self-sustaining. At this point, the full amount can be passed along to the next group on the waiting list.
Projects vary from chocolate-making, roadside tortilla stands, growing potatoes, weaving, and raising small livestock such as rabbits and chickens.
But by far, the most popular – and most profitable – project is raising cattle.
Here’s how it works:
- As part of a group, each woman applies for $400 in revolving funds to purchase a cow or bull
- She receives guidance, training, and support from an agricultural/livestock expert
- Cows are raised to produce milk and calves
- Bulls are fattened for a year then sold for a handsome profit
- Cattle manure and urine can be used or sold for fertilizer for family gardens
- Many women also receive a subsidy to build or improve their cattle shelter
- The recipient family pays for vitamins and de-worming medicine
- The $400 is paid back in full; extra profits put food on the table and send kids to school
Gift of a Cow or Bull: $400
Shares are available and all gift amounts are appreciated! To make a donation, simply donate online. Your gift is 100% sustainable and will continue to work year after year!
