The Zawadisha Fund aims to break down the barriers that women face economically and socially by providing them with the resources and tools to become more empowered in their homes and in society. We believe in the power of person-to-person lending that builds human capital, rewards character and integrity, and fosters collaboration and trust. We provide small loans, ranging between $50 and $500 and all recipients must demonstrate a capacity to repay their loans and the motivation to improve their standard of living. 

Our work emerged out of a consistent message from the women we work with: if provided with basic resources and more opportunities, their lives would drastically improve. In a country with a 40 percent unemployment rate, our borrowers have said they do not want to compete with their husbands for work; rather, they would like to enter the marketplace as small business owners.

• A savings program that matches savings deposits made by our loan recipients.

• Life and business skills training, including financial literacy, self-defense and HIV/AIDS prevention.

• Small business loans with flexible repayment options.

•  Preventative health measures, such as mosquito nets and water filters that help keep their families healthy.