Tidlund Foundation-Completed Projects-Angola Micro Finance

The Mary A. Tidlund Charitable Foundation, in partnership with the Development Workshop, US AID, and private donors, are in their second year of working to help rebuild a shattered economy and a fractured community in Angola a country with a long history of corruption and war.

The Republic of Angola is rich in natural resources, including oil, gold, diamonds, forests, fisheries and agriculture. Angola sits on the southwest edge of the African continent. The nation boasts a rich cultural history, a warm climate, and a long shoreline complete with picturesque coastal plains.

Despite Angola’s natural wealth and beauty, a 27-year civil war that only ended in 2002 cost the country the lives of up to 1.5 million people, displaced another 4 million people, and sunk the country into economic and social devastation.

Angola is still reeling through economic crisis. Half of the war-weary population is unable to find gainful employment. Deeply rooted government corruption prevents the county’s wealth from reaching the impoverished population. And rural Angola is littered with landmines, preventing agricultural development.

Struggling to feed their families, Angolan women often resort to damaging sources of income, including prostitution.

The Huambo Microfinance Programme provides an employment alternative to Angolans, primarily Angolan women. So far, there are 1700 members of the programme; 78 per cent are women.

Through micro financing, individuals obtain a loan to start up a small business. They are, in turn, able to build a more promising future for themselves, their families and communities.

Micro financing gives participants the ability to provide a basic service, or sell products like fish, charcoal or wood, in local markets. Their businesses range from baking goods and making cold drinks to sell on the street to buying wholesale and selling produce or small consumer items from baskets on their heads.

Micro financing alleviates poverty in Angola by assisting people to develop sustainable livelihoods.

The programme provides a series of small loans ($50 to $150 US) over a loan period of four months.

Loans are given to individuals in need who otherwise have no access to financial services. Participants are people who have managed to save a small amount of money, 10 per cent of the amount they are asking to borrow. This ensures that the clients are running legitimate businesses, and teaches the value of saving.

The participants are given basic business skills and guidance, and pay back the loans with some interest: 10 per cent on the initial loan amount.

These individuals gather into groups of 20 to 30 members, called “Solidarity Groups”. Members are chosen by the group itself. Solidarity Group members are collectively responsible for repaying the loan.

So if one member is unable to make a payment, others in the group step in to assist that individual.

The Development Workshop, a non-profit organization with more than 20 years of experience in Angola, carefully screens and trains participants. This organization also closely monitors loans and repayment, provides detailed accountability reports to the Tidlund Foundation, while supporting the Solidarity Groups through regular visits and ongoing guidance.

Mary Tidlund with teams of volunteers has traveled to Angola several times, and has seen how profoundly micro financing impacts people. She has been touched to see the fragmented people of Angola start to rebuild a cooperative spirit. Members of Solidarity Groups build trusting relationships, sharing important responsibilities like childcare. Over time, this sentiment ripples into the community.

“When you work with people who do not have the things we often take for granted, you realize how much we have to offer to make an impact,” she says. A seed of hope is planted, and a feeling of communal ownership emerges as a cornerstone of a healthy society.

After the participants complete the program, the one of the goals is to enable them to go into a bank, open an account for savings or apply for a small business loan, because they have developed a financial history.

The resulting financial stability provides the families of these women with necessities like food, health treatment, improved shelter, and access to education for their children. This increased quality of life secures a more sustainable future for a larger population.

The next step for the program is expansion: there are many people across Angola who may wish for this kind of hope.

Micro financing programmes, like this one, are proven to be a successful and sustainable way to help impoverished people around the world. Micro financing generates economic activity that pulls people out of poverty, while restoring life with dignity.

MICRO-FINANCE, ANGOLA 2003-2004
Alleviating Poverty in Angola The Mary A. Tidlund Charitable Foundation, in partnership with the Development Workshop, US AID, and private donors, are in their second year of working to help rebuild a shattered economy and a fractured community in Angola a country with a long history of corruption and war. The Republic of Angola is rich in natural resources, including oil, gold, diamonds, forests, fisheries and agriculture. Angola sits on the southwest edge of the African continent. The nation boasts a rich cultural history, a warm climate, and a long shoreline complete with picturesque coastal plains. Despite Angola’s natural wealth and beauty, a 27-year civil war that only ended in 2002 cost the country the lives of up to 1.5 million people, displaced another 4 million people, and sunk the country into economic and social devastation. Angola is still reeling through economic crisis. Half of the war-weary population is unable to find gainful employment. Deeply rooted government corruption prevents the county’s wealth from reaching the impoverished population. And rural Angola is littered with landmines, preventing agricultural development. Struggling to feed their families, Angolan women often resort to damaging sources of income, including prostitution. The Huambo Microfinance Programme provides an employment alternative to Angolans, primarily Angolan women. So far, there are 1700 members of the programme; 78 per cent are women. Through micro financing, individuals obtain a loan to start up a small business. They are, in turn, able to build a more promising future for themselves, their families and communities. Micro financing gives participants the ability to provide a basic service, or sell products like fish, charcoal or wood, in local markets. Their businesses range from baking goods and making cold drinks to sell on the street to buying wholesale and selling produce or small consumer items from baskets on their heads. Micro financing alleviates poverty in Angola by assisting people to develop sustainable livelihoods. The programme provides a series of small loans ($50 to $150 US) over a loan period of four months. Loans are given to individuals in need who otherwise have no access to financial services. Participants are people who have managed to save a small amount of money, 10 per cent of the amount they are asking to borrow. This ensures that the clients are running legitimate businesses, and teaches the value of saving. The participants are given basic business skills and guidance, and pay back the loans with some interest: 10 per cent on the initial loan amount. These individuals gather into groups of 20 to 30 members, called “Solidarity Groups”. Members are chosen by the group itself. Solidarity Group members are collectively responsible for repaying the loan. So if one member is unable to make a payment, others in the group step in to assist that individual. The Development Workshop, a non-profit organization with more than 20 years of experience in Angola, carefully screens and trains participants. This organization also closely monitors loans and repayment, provides detailed accountability reports to the Tidlund Foundation, while supporting the Solidarity Groups through regular visits and ongoing guidance. Mary Tidlund with teams of volunteers has traveled to Angola several times, and has seen how profoundly micro financing impacts people. She has been touched to see the fragmented people of Angola start to rebuild a cooperative spirit. Members of Solidarity Groups build trusting relationships, sharing important responsibilities like childcare. Over time, this sentiment ripples into the community. “When you work with people who do not have the things we often take for granted, you realize how much we have to offer to make an impact,” she says. A seed of hope is planted, and a feeling of communal ownership emerges as a cornerstone of a healthy society. After the participants complete the program, the one of the goals is to enable them to go into a bank, open an account for savings or apply for a small business loan, because they have developed a financial history. The resulting financial stability provides the families of these women with necessities like food, health treatment, improved shelter, and access to education for their children. This increased quality of life secures a more sustainable future for a larger population. The next step for the program is expansion: there are many people across Angola who may wish for this kind of hope. Micro financing programmes, like this one, are proven to be a successful and sustainable way to help impoverished people around the world. Micro financing generates economic activity that pulls people out of poverty, while restoring life with dignity.	Micro-Finance projects in Angola help women fund their small businesses. Traditional banks wouldn't lend them money. By creating small community banks this woman is able to buy sugar and flour in bulk She is now able to send three of her children to school.
Funding The Foundation continues to benefit from the generous support of Allan Markin, Chairman of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL). In ongoing aid to Angola. Allan has personally funded $35,000 for a micro-finance project for women. This project is a joint partnership with Development Workshop, a local NGO in Angola. Alberta's Wild Rose Foundation funded an additional $25,000 towards the micro-finace project. Allan Markin also personally funds medical equipment for children and babies through the Franciscan Order of the Immaculate Conception.