Microfinance
Support of microfinance to improve the lives of women around the world is at the core of WIL's mission.
Village Banks
Through our affiliation with The International Alliance for Women (TIAW), WIL has funded a total of eight banks to date, and we plan to fund another one in the coming year.
The most recent banks funded by WIL are located in Haiti and operated by Fonkoze.
- WIL members visit Haiti, October 2012
Through TIAW, WIL has also funded village banks in Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana. The total cost of each bank is $5,000. TIAW's role is to identify, investigate and vet the NGO that manages each village bank and to report results from the NGO's operation.
Our contribution of $5,000 initially provides funds and support for 15-20 impoverished women who need small loans to start or expand a business. Most of these women support themselves and their families and educate their children with their earnings.
As loans are repaid, those funds become available for lending. We have seen how these loans can dramatically improve economic opportunities for the women engaged in these small businesses.
Make a Donation for a Village Bank
Contribute as much or as little as you like. Those who make contributions will have the opportunity to take part in selecting the next bank's location.
You can donate online by going to the TIAW Web site, and in the "Fund a Village Bank" box select "WIL Bank" when completing the form.
You can also donate by check. Write your check to: TIAW and mail to:
WIL of Greater Philadelphia
915 Clinton Street, #305
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Let us know if we may list you as a donor on our Web site.
For more information about making a donation to a WIL village bank, contact Meryle Melnicoff, co-chair of WIL's Microfinance Committee.
Empowerment Grants
It is our pleasure to announce the winners of the 2013 WIL Program Grants. The following groups will each receive $1,000 for their programs:
- Cross Cultural Collaborative to initiate the Books for Girls program. This program will provide disadvantaged girls in the Nungua area of Ghana with the opportunity to develop practical skills in computer literacy, electronic design, reading and writing. These girls are often burdened with household chores and, without outside support, they cannot develop creative thinking and similar skills. WIL sponsor: Caroline Wischmann.
- Profugo for the Prashanthagiri Tailoring Training Program. This program has been training women in India to produce handicrafts and then develop an independent cooperative to sell the items. Profugo received a grant from WIL in 2012 to establish the program for teaching tailoring, business and advanced English skills. They are now initiating the third phase of this program to enable the cooperative to become self-sustaining. WIL sponsor: Jenny Koleth.
- SAKALA (a program of Pax Christi Ayiti) to establish an Urban Gardening Micro-Loan program. SAKALA has developed multiple programs to improve the lives of children and women in the Cite Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Micro-Loan program will enable women in this slum to purchase seeds and supplies and develop a series of container gardens to grow fresh foods to sell in the local markets. WIL sponsor: Carole Cohn.
Learn more about TIAW
The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) serves as the global umbrella organization that unites, supports and promotes professional women and their networks to work together, share resources and leverage ideas.
A benefit of your WIL membership is membership in TIAW. Through TIAW learn more about Women on Boards, Micro-Enterprise, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Women's Leadership Network and more.
WIL of Greater Philadelphia
empowering women leaders globally
