The money raised from this event will help Salvaide sustain
the Micro-Credit Program which was established in 1998.

This project helps rural women in El Salvador receive small
loans to establish credit and become self-sufficient, thereby
improving life in their community.

To decide which women will receive loans, Salvaide puts a well-organized, fair, and democratic process into motion. A committee holds meetings with women's groups to explain the project and the requisites necessary to participate. The committee then selects the individuals who are most needy and who have expressed an interest in the credit loans. Further meetings are held with these women in which they learn about the project, its objectives and requirements, and the kinds of activities most likely to receive loan approval.

Women who wish to receive credit loans for the first time must go through extensive training and attend workshops before they receive the funds.

The Central Credit Committee (which includes the president, vice-president, and women's coordinator of CRIPDES [Association of Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador]) must approve the credit loans before any cheques are issued.

Since 1998, over 400 women have succeeded in their goal of receiving a loan to start a small business. It is a long and arduous process but well worth the effort, as these women can attest. Some of the initiatives that the women have carried out are: the purchase and care of livestock (cows, chickens, etc.); the cultivation of basic grains and crops (squash, peppers, corn, tomatoes, etc.); the commercialization of various products; and the purchase of land. These efforts are very basic but crucial to sustain the communities in which these women live.

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Art by danuszia