Microloan Foundation, Australia | Non-governmental organisation (NGO)

Microloan Foundation, Australia

Phone: +61 417 211 366

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• Non-governmental organisation (NGO)

25.01.2022 Wowsers! Our recent global Coachathon, where more than 100 coaches from around the world donated their time and talent, has raised a super impressive 13,275 pounds (just over $24,000 Aussie dollars). Translated, that means the lives of 2,761 women and their children in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been changed. Huge congrats to all who participated.

25.01.2022 The old saying goes: Cash flow is king. Well, that's certainly right, but we think it's queen! Because of COVID19 having such a devastating effect on businesses and livelihoods, we are providing extra capital to top up our clients' cash flow so they can continue to run their businesses.

25.01.2022 Would you like to be a part of a global pilates class AND help MicroLoan Foundation at the same time? Join us at 6.30pm tomorrow evening (Saturday, 13 June, Sydney time) to enjoy a 45 minute Pilates Flow Class hosted by Suzannah from SK Bodyworks who is a qualified Massage Therapist, Reflexologist and certified Matwork Pilates teacher trained in the renowned STOTTS Pilates method. While this is being held in the UK, it doesn't mean our Aussie supporters can't join in. Tickets... are 16.22 (or $29.83 in Aussie dollars), which is the cost of providing one woman with entrepreneurship training and mentoring in Zambia to help her set up her own business. So every person purchasing a ticket will be giving a woman the opportunity to find a way out of poverty! What to do to join the class: Buy a ticket via Eventbrite in the link below - you will receive an email with your Zoom link. Fill in this Google form: https://forms.gle/emaRxmzLtq5ixVJZ9 Join via the Zoom link sent to you prior to the class - please join 5 minutes early Ensure your WiFi connection is strong Bring a mat, small pillow and small folded hand towel Mute your microphone! Enjoy the class* *Legwarmers optional! Join in the fun here: https://bit.ly/37l6gL0

24.01.2022 Taking out their first loan is a huge step for our clients, who because they are poor AND because they are women, are ignored by the traditional finance sector. Mary is excited to be setting up her small business close to where she lives. "I am looking forward to growing the business and taking care of my family," she said. Photo: @PeterCatonPix

24.01.2022 The news isn't good. If you can help, please consider donating today so we can help stop women and their families going hungry. https://bit.ly/2UIwodh

24.01.2022 It's Equal Pay Day here in Australia. We still have a long way to go and so does the rest of the world. The World Economic Forum ranked Australia 44 and Malawi 116 out of 153 countries in its Global Gender Gap Index for 2020. Special kudos to the top ranking African nation ... Rwanda at #9.

24.01.2022 A reminder about our vision ... a world where all those living in poverty have the opportunity to build better lives for themselves and their families.

24.01.2022 I challenge you ... it is simply impossible not to smile when you admire the brilliant photographs in this inspiring Virtual Tour of Malawi by photojournalist Marcus Westberg Photography. Marcus writes: "As a photojournalist and travel writer, I am wary of clichés and generalizations. But few countries have been awarded a more appropriate slogan than Malawi, which is known as the Warm Heart of Africa. While I have rarely been made to feel unwelcome anywhere during my travels, in Africa or elsewhere, Malawi has always felt different." https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/travel/malawi.html

22.01.2022 When geographically isolated, accessing finance in remote communities is challenging. Women, in particular, suffer the consequences. MicroLoan is developing a new agricultural program, which aims to reach 5,000 female smallholder farmers in Zambia in 2021. These women, some of the poorest women in the world, will have the chance to build sustainable, profitable farming businesses so they can provide for their families. We can't wait to tell you more as it progresses.

21.01.2022 Giving hope, not handouts! That's what we are all about.

21.01.2022 Malawi has a new president. Lazarus Chakwera was inaugurated earlier this week in a small ceremony in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The President said he canceled larger celebrations that coincided with the countrys Independence Day festivities after receiving news that the number of COVID-19 patients was rising rapidly. The southern African country had 1,742 as of Monday, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I know that this... is a frightening time for us as a nation but I want you to know that if we each use what we have, to do our part where we are, we are going to win this fight, he said. Chakwera was first sworn in as Malawis sixth president on June 28 after the announcement that he won the countrys rerun elections. He won the historic election held on June 23, the first time a court-overturned vote in Africa has resulted in the defeat of an incumbent leader. Chakwera won with 58.57% of votes cast, according to official results announced by the Malawi Electoral Commission. See more

20.01.2022 MicroLoan Foundation is thrilled to have the continued support of Whole Planet Foundation, a Whole Foods Market Foundation. In their most recent efforts to support us, Whole Planet Foundation have awarded us a grant for our work in Zimbabwe. This generous grant puts us on track to support more than 1,300 women in Zimbabwe by year end 2021. In an extremely challenging environment, Whole Planet Foundation's funding will help hundreds of women to rebuild their livelihoods after facing devastation in recent months. We cannot thank Whole Planet Foundation enough!

20.01.2022 Want to hear all the latest news about what we do? Please sign up for our e-newsletter at the bottom of this page: https://bit.ly/30GkraB

20.01.2022 Our clients are inspired to make the world a better place for their children. Many can now pay school fees and provide regular meals, plus cover health-related costs. What better inspiration could you have?

19.01.2022 Lynne Kayenne Studio sells tailored womenswear inspired by the culture and heritage of the companys founder, inspirational Malawian entrepreneur Linda Khumbanyiwa. Were delighted that she has agreed to support our work and is so determined to empower women throughout Malawi by donating through her business.

19.01.2022 Every donation to MicroLoan Foundation Australia keeps on giving. Over and over again! https://bit.ly/2BCTxaX

18.01.2022 Your ongoing support helps create moments just like this! Many of our clients are earning their own money for the very first time. Photo: Careorg

18.01.2022 Lustia left school when she was eight years old. Today, with the help of a small loan to set up her business growing and selling her own vegetables, she has enough money to send her five children to school. When you support one woman, you really do support her whole family and community!

18.01.2022 Our model of providing financial services is very high touch and we are often the only organisation providing such support in the most remote, rural areas, explains Randall Williams, CEO of MicroLoan Malawi, in conversation with Palak Bhatt, Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager. In Malawi, our Loan and Training Officers now have to make more frequent trips into rural areas because groups sizes have been reduced to adhere to COVID safety rules. This, of course, comes at a financial cost. Your donations help us reach women in the poorest communities. We would welcome your support. https://bit.ly/3nEoizq

18.01.2022 Pre-COVID days we could provide our valuable business and financial literacy training in large groups like these in Kapiri, Zambia. Nowadays, our training is taking place with fewer clients in larger spaces, with access to face masks and hand sanitisers. It's imperative that we still reach as many women as we can to support them to create their own sustainable solutions to poverty by setting up independent businesses.

18.01.2022 Mary is a mother of six and worked exhausting 12 hour days as a farm labourer in the blazing sun. After joining a MicroLoan group, she set up a grocery store. Mary can now afford to send her children to school, her family now eat nutritious meals, and can pay for medicine if they fall ill. Your support enables a woman like Mary to raise their families and communities out of poverty.

17.01.2022 Have you seen our Facebook ads yet? We are so excited to launch a small promotional campaign with the help of the amazing team at Tailored Media who have donated their time and skills to create it for us. Huge thanks to them and their community spirit from all of us at MicroLoan Foundation Australia. Please give us a "like" if you see our ads ... we are hoping to raise awareness of our amazing charity and encourage some donations, too.

17.01.2022 Making great friends is what Sariya Chizenda valued as well as being thankful for her loan and business training. She has four children and 10 grandchildren and has set up her own business selling frittas and tomatoes. She said she has been inspired by the success of other women in her group and has met many new friends in the process. Sariya hopes to have her own shop one day to sell her goods.

17.01.2022 We totally agree with the former UN Secretary-General!

16.01.2022 Seven months can make a huge difference in our clients' lives. Florence was one of our first clients in Kapiri, our new branch in Zambia, which is partially funded by Halcrow Foundation. A determined and driven entrepreneur, Florence already had a business making school uniforms, but after 10 years, her business was still not profitable. Since taking out her first loan, her profits have more than doubled! Florence has found our business training very helpful. She now reinvest...s her profits to purchase more stock and is delighted to be able to meet customer demand. Not only this, but she and her husband can now afford nutritious food for the whole family and pay for their children's school fees. Florence's dream is to open her own tailoring school to inspire the next generation of local entrepreneurs. What an incredible impact you have made, Halcrow Foundation. We can't thank you enough. See more

16.01.2022 Have you got 3 or so minutes? Please listen to Medha Wilson, Group CEO of MicroLoan Foundation, and Steve Mark, Chair of MicroLoan Foundation USA, as they discuss the challenges women are facing in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe in light of the pandemic.

16.01.2022 Merry Christmas to all our wonderful followers and supporters. From all of us at MicroLoan Foundation Australia.

16.01.2022 Another fabulous image from an ad created by Tailored Media to help us raise valuable awareness.

15.01.2022 Remember Jane? Earlier this week, we were inspired with Jane's journey out of poverty which all began with a loan and business training from MicroLoan Foundation. But there's more to this incredible story! Jane's financial stability has enabled her to adopt four children. In Malawi, it is common for families to marry off their children at a young age to relieve the financial burden. Children move away from home, end education early, have babies of their own and remain trapped in a cycle of poverty. By offering these children a safe home, an education and nourishment, Jane has redefined their futures. You can also transform the life of a family like Jane's with a $50 donation which is the average loan amount that has such a transformative effect. https://microloanfoundationaustralia.org.au/make-a-donation/

14.01.2022 Good news out of Malawi with the most recent maize harvest above average. With more than 50% of our clients involved in food production, this is really great news. We are doing our best to support the women so they have the cash flow now and enabling them to hold on to their harvest until prices rise in September.

14.01.2022 In just under 9 minutes, this video will share so much about our work and its value to our amazing clients in Malawi. Enjoy!

13.01.2022 Two years ago, Dadari joined one of our lending groups. We asked her what the experience has been like. I am so grateful to MicroLoan Foundation, it really matters to be part of a group and to progress in life. The training has helped me be part of the community. We learn how to budget and run a business but what is important is that we also learn how to work as a group. It is good to talk with other people about challenges with your work and your life. Thanks for sharing, Dadari.

12.01.2022 Imagine not just starting your own business and having success, but then hiring your first employee? That's what Fanny has achieved after taking her first loan last year to set up a business selling water. She now employs someone to assist her and from her profits, is able to buy food and household items including pots and plates. Fanny has plans to expand to generate more income and eventually open a shop selling a range of groceries. We wish her well and will be there to support her on her journey.

11.01.2022 MicroLoan Foundation is against all forms of racism, inequality and discrimination. We all have a part to play in fighting the systemic racism embedded within our societies. MicroLoan is committed to equality and inclusion. We challenge ourselves to keep listening and amplifying black voices and champion every persons right to be treated with respect and dignity.

11.01.2022 7% of our clients have one or more employees working for them. This means the women we support are creating employment opportunities for other members of their community, helping them to kickstart their own journeys out of poverty. : CARE

10.01.2022 One of the most valuable things that Shimimu Kandulu has learned is how to calculate her profits and reinvest into her business. She was inspired by female entrepreneurs in her community so she joined a group, received a small loan and set up her own business selling food in her local market. She now has enough money to pay her youngest child's school fees. To help more women like Shimimu and their families, please considering donating here: https://bit.ly/2YcXPNy

10.01.2022 Our staff on the ground in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia are working hard to support our clients and help their businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis. Like everywhere around the world in business, diversifying, staying positive and being flexible are key to success. Photo: Peter Caton

10.01.2022 Oh, this is so true for our amazing clients. They create small groups to receive their loans and their training, and then they have each other's back throughout the process of becoming small business women.

09.01.2022 Let's do it! Wishing all our clients, staff and wonderful supporters a fabulous weekend ahead.

09.01.2022 British entrepreneur and philanthropist Deborah Meaden has been a proud supporter of MicroLoan for many years. Deborah visited Malawi to meet some of the women we support in 2015. A big shout-out to Virtually Smart Ltd for highlighting Deborah as part of their Inspirational Women series last month and for spotlighting MicroLoan as one of Deborah's favourite charities. https://virtuallysmartltd.com/how-the-microloan-foundation/

08.01.2022 Malawi was named "Country of the Year" by British magazine "The Economist" for "reviving democracy in an authoritarian region", citing the nullification of the 2019 presidential election results that were marred by irregularities. The vote-count was rigged with correction fluid on the tally sheets. Foreign observers cynically approved it anyway. Malawians launched mass protests against the ‘Tipp-Ex election’. Malawian judges turned down suitcases of bribes and annulled it, ...the Economist reported. Malawi held a presidential election re-run in June and President Peter Mutharika was beaten by President Lazarus Chakwera. The Economist says Freedom House’s report that democracy and respect for human rights regressed in 80 countries between the start of the pandemic and September but only improved in Malawi. Malawi is still poor, but its people are citizens, not subjects, the newspaper added. See more

08.01.2022 It's World Gratitude Day today so we would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing donors and supporters for helping us to change the lives of women in regional Africa. We are beyond grateful for your trust and generosity and support.

08.01.2022 $50. That's the average value of a loan given to a woman who can then change her life. Just $50. And you know the best bit? That money is paid back by the first woman and then loaned out again to a second woman. And then a third and a fourth and, and, and. If you'd like to help pay it forward, please consider donating today. https://bit.ly/3jPfvYS

07.01.2022 Matron really has something to smile about! She joined the "Progress Tusole" Group in Zambia last year and set up a small business selling tomatoes and cabbages. Now she is able to provide food for her four children and has even saved enough to begin paying their school fees! Matron initially decided to get a loan to help her husband with family expenses, but she also wanted to feel more independent. Mission accomplished!

06.01.2022 Nothing is stopping Specia in realising her dreams! She has already established her own salon with the help of a loan and can pay her childrens school fees, but she wants to reinvest in her business so she can also open a barber shop and stock more cosmetics for her clients. We don't just provide loans and training; we provide confidence and a future!

06.01.2022 Women re-invest a significant amount of their earnings into their families' health and education. They are not only changing their lives right now, but their families' future, too. Photo: WildHearts Group

05.01.2022 It's such a tragedy. Widespread hunger in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe is crushing communities. Our clients, who have worked tirelessly to build their own businesses, are helplessly watching them collapse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have just launched our latest appeal and are desperate to raise $25,000 this month so we can help. As a small Australian charity run by volunteers, we would be incredibly grateful if you would consider making a donation at this terrible time. https://bit.ly/3vXctbz

04.01.2022 It is Business Women's Day today, but here at MicroLoan Foundation Australia we aim to make every day Business Women's Day for our clients. From those who are just starting out with their first loan and planning to open their first small business, to those who have already seen the enormous benefits as they grow their business and improve their lives and that of their family and local community.

04.01.2022 24 hours, 100 coaches, more than 500 coaching sessions! In just a few weeks the 24-hour WLA Coachathon will take place. You can register now for an online coaching session with one of our 100 experienced coaches from around the world. Whether it's life coaching, business coaching, spiritual coaching or otherwise, your coaching session will cost the equivalent of just 25 pounds and all funds raised will support and empower women facing poverty in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Book your session now at: https://sandragreen.lpages.co/wla-coachathon

03.01.2022 Back in 2002, we launched our first operations in Malawi, and 18 years later we are still growing!

03.01.2022 Selling doughnuts is one of many small businesses started by our clients.

01.01.2022 "Women reinvest 90% of every dollar earned into their families' education, health and nutrition." - Harvard Business Review, 2013"Women reinvest 90% of every dollar earned into their families' education, health and nutrition." - Harvard Business Review, 2013

01.01.2022 We've shared with you that in the countries we proudly operate there is crippling hunger because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We'd like to show you what that actually means. Sarudzai is a mother of three and a chicken farmer selling eggs and free range chicks. Through hard work and steely determination, she successfully grew her business from owning 100 chickens to 500 chickens. Just one year after her first loan, she quadrupled her weekly profits. And what did that mean ... wel...l, she could afford to feed her family AND send her children to a good school. But now she faces catastrophe as the pandemic has cruelly reversed years of progress. A donation of $50, our smallest loan size, would give a woman like Sarudzai the capital she needs to replenish her stock and withstand her business collapsing. We would appreciate your support so much: https://bit.ly/3vXctbz See more