Dewan Foundation Microfinance Programme
Small loans give the whole community a better future
The Dewan Foundation kindly funds our microfinance (small loan) programme, giving around 1,000 people a year the opportunity to help themselves and become independent.
People with leprosy are often excluded from their workplaces, homes and villages because of the stigma attached to the disease. They have no way of earning a living, and the lack of financial independence makes the discrimination they face even worse.
Microfinance not only enables people to earn a living, it also restores their self-esteem and raises their financial status. This helps to reduce stigma and discrimination.
People affected by leprosy come together in a self-help group to support each other and share ideas. Following training in their chosen activity (e.g. animal husbandry) they receive a small loan to help them set up a business.
The brilliant thing is that as the loans are repaid, they are given to other members of the group, which means that the help goes on and on!
