  
The mission of
the Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA
International) is "to support the economic and human development
of families trapped in severe poverty. We are accomplishing this
by creating 'village banks,' peer groups of 20 to 50 members
-- predominantly women -- who receive three critical services:
(1) working capital loans to finance self-employment activities;
(2) an effective mechanism for promoting family savings;(3) a
community-based system which provides mutual support and encourages
self-worth." Some of FINCA International's programs include:
- FINCA has sponsored successful
Village Banking(tm) programs in Latin America since 1984. Currently,
FINCA programs provide small loans and savings incentives for
over 50,000 Latin Americans.
- In the 'nineties, FINCA brought
its Village Banking technology to North America, Africa and Central
Asia, where it has blossomed.
- FINCA USA has operated two programs
since 1994: one in rural Minnesota, and another in greater Washington,
DC.
- Begun in 1995, FINCA Kyrgyzstan
offers small loans to 5,000 self-employed borrowers and has become
a model for grass roots financial services programs in the Newly
Independent States.
- FINCA programs in Malawi and
Uganda serve over 12,000 Africans in and around the cities of
Blantyre, Zomba, Jinja, and Kampala. Members of the programs
have a combined per capita savings of nearly $66.
FINCA's new video, "FINCA
Village Banking," won a special achievement award from the
International Television Association in March, 1997. The award
was given for the video's success in conveying the organization's
message. The video may be purchased for $20 plus $4 shipping
and handling by contacting the Development Department at FINCA's
main phone number below.
Contact: FINCA International,
Inc., 1101 14th Street, NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20005;
Phone: 202-682-1510; Email: 76215.1034@compuserve.com;
Internet: www.villagebanking.org
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