a few slides to explain trust banks, based on info from Opportunity International Australia, part of my voluntary ambassadorship between now and June 09 http://awomansinvestment.blogspot.com

1. Trust Banks, Women, Poverty & Microfinance a wonderwebby project http://www.flickr.com/photos/hippie/2476672160/ her story

2. This woman lives in poverty in the Philippines To get ahead, she could start a business but... http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikaluk/94179735/ dreaming of a better day

3. ..she has no collateral to get a bank loan and a loan shark could charge her 100% interest per day http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdnphoto/2886687124/ stuck in poverty

4. one day a microfinance loan officer gives an information session about Trust Banks. She applies to become part of a Trust Bank with other women from her village http://www.flickr.com/photos/grrrl/213137546/ hope

5. She is accepted into the program along with 15 to 30 others and joins in training with the loan officer for a few weeks http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/2969690080/ joy

6. Her trust bank chooses a name, a leader, treasurer and person to collect payments. Her initial loan is $70 to $300. She sets up a fruit stall, or bakery, or perhaps a shoe store . new day http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliflorez/108342513/

7. The money she receives helps her to buy products in bulk, increase her variety of products, or buy a bigger cart for her stall http://www.flickr.com/photos/backpackphotography big dreams

8. She meets weekly with her Trust Bank members, learning about business , making payments, receiving training and advice http://www.flickr.com/photos/popkiss/2021036225/ freedom

9. The money she earns helps her to provide nutritious food for her family, better health care, education and housing improvements . impact http://www.flickr.com/photos/backpackphotography/2317256629/

10. She is encouraged to become an agent of transformation in her community, to help combat poor sanitation & violence http://www.flickr.com/photos/watchblog/2658811520/ stronger

11. Six months later she has paid off her small loan, and she qualifies for another , bigger loan. The whole cycle takes two years. empowered http://www.flickr.com/photos/grrrl/120006105/

12. Once her loan is repaid, the money is recycled to a fund a new loan for a new, poor entrepreneur REinvest http://www.flickr.com/photos/backpackphotography

13. You can help finance a Trust Bank in the Philippines by making a tax deductible donation of $2 or more http://wonderwebby.chipin.com @wonderwebby Women’s Opportunity, Opportunity International Australia the real face