Loans are offered only to groups of women.

Why women?

Without collateral, women do not have access to credit, yet they are responsible for feeding and nurturing the family, caring for the children when sick, and have been found to be more likely to repay loans than men.

Why groups?

Women are accustomed to working in social groups, numbering 15-30 women (called Njangis in Cameroon), handling money and functioning in the market place. There is security in groups. If a family crisis or a natural disaster occurs and the woman cannot repay the loan, a group member steps in and pays, thus preserving the unblemished repayment record necessary for the group to be eligible for future loans.

Loan applications must be approved by a WINHEEDCAM committee before the loan is given. About 80% are approved.

Loans start at $10-50, and increase with each cycle up to $400 as long as they are repaid in full and on time.

Rural loans are at 10% over 6-8 months, with an annualized yield of 15-20%.

Urban loans are at 10% over 4-6 months, with an annualized yield of 20-30%.

Efforts are made to reach women who are more vulnerable to poverty: women with physical handicaps resulting from leprosy, widows, HIV-positive women support groups, and families that have agreed to take in AIDS orphans.