Rotary District 5510

Success for Microcredit Borrowers Expo Oct 29
By Wayne Rish

Twenty three borrowers took advantage of the sunny, warm weather on the main Square in Nogales, Mexico to demonstrate their business products and seek new customers at the Borrowers Expo October 29.

One of the borrowers we interviewed was Señora Duran and her story was representative of several others. She has successfully managed her Avon Products and health care products business for seven years. Although she make good margins and commissions (in excess of 40%) her business growth and her income were stagnant due to her inability to borrow funds from a commercial source.  

In July 2011 she borrowed $300 from funds Rotarians and the Rotary Foundation made available through a Matching Grant supported by many Rotary clubs and Rotarians in District 5510. In the intervening months, she said she has earned about $120 additional net income per month with the new business growth.  She works from home, sells for cash, and has four children.  Her husband works full time, earning $8 a day.  The additional net return she has earned since July has paid for her children's school clothes, shoes and fees and additional inventory.   She is a very smart business woman and recognizes the tremendous opportunity that small loans like this give her to grow her business and help her family.  She commented that the borrowing process and fees are very reasonable and intends to expand her borrowing and her business.

Microcredit projects like this are among the most successful and cost effective humanitarian self-help programs.   In addition, your contribution will be tax deductable; the Rotary Foundation will match your contributions with 50 cents per dollar and provide Paul Harris Credits dollar for dollar.  There are no minimum or maximum contributions and we have Mexican borrowers qualified and waiting for all the funds we can raise with this project through March 2012.  If you would like to learn more about this Rotarian supported microcredit project in Nogales, Mexico, or consider participating in this  international matching grant project with your club,  contact Wayne Rish of Fountain Hills Rotary  Club at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 480 664 4820.