A small amount of money makes a big difference

Plan implemented a micro finance project in Ndoungane, Senegal, in collaboration with PAMECAS, a financial institution in charge of micro finance projects. This village, located in the Thies region, has been one of the most affected by the rural exodus.

Close to 4,800 women organized in 124 groups obtained a small loan to facilitate the development of income-generating activities such as tie-dying, small business, sewing, etc.

With the credit amount to be reimbursed over a six to twelve month period at 12% interest, the rate of reimbursement reached 99%. The Plan micro credit manager noticed: “the management of women in the area is better than the men’s”.

In the past, at the end of the raining season, women used to move to the capital, Dakar, without any experiences of living in urban areas. Their best option was to become a maid with a small salary and limited opportunities.  Furthermore, they had to leave their children and whole family for many months.

Nowadays, with the success of such micro-finance projects, some women can fully take care of their children while earning a living. The President of a women’s group said: “women of Ndoungane and surrounding villages are the pioneers of a development that fully benefits children”.