“The key to ending extreme poverty is to enable the poorest of the poor to get their foot on the ladder of development. The ladder of development hovers overhead, and the poorest of the poor are stuck beneath it. They lack the minimum amount of capital necessary to get a foothold, and therefore need a boost up to the first rung. ” Jeffrey D. Sachs

Twenty five adults, mainly female, representing 25 families, completed a six month literacy class. This is a prerequisite for the self sustainability and poverty reduction program.

A local government rural department, which specialises in farming and animal husbandry, conducted a one week training program with this group. A micro credit scheme will be introduced so the villagers can borrow money to commence income generation. Villagers can borrow money to purchase farming equipment, seeds and livestock such as chickens to start their own businesses.  Five farmer’s groups have been formed, each comprising 5 members. Each group decided on their own scheme of income generation e.g. chicken, duck and pig breeding and vegetable growing. MECC will establish a village banking service so that in the future, the villagers can manage their own micro credit.

Microcredit will be provided to females as they are more reliable and responsible in financial management. It also promotes gender equality. The first farmers’ club will have an impact on 150 family members. The next group of 25 literacy class students will complete their class in July 2011. They will be mentored by graduates from the 1st class. It is projected that the adult literacy program will cater for 107 families by July 2012, and this has a direct benefit for 545 family members, with 80 children under 5 years old.

$100 Sponsor an adult in the Adult Literacy Class

$100 Provide microcredit for income generation scheme for a family

All donations are tax deductable in Australia. You will receive your Tax receipt courtesy of Rotary Australia Rotary Australia World Community Service.