WMI is working to confront global poverty by empowering some of the most marginalized individuals in East Africa—impoverished rural women who have long been excluded from financial systems and economic opportunity. Since its launch in 2008 in the rural village of Buyobo, Uganda, the organization has provided a lifeline to women who previously had no access to credit or capital. Over the years, WMI has issued more than 60,000 microloans totaling over $8 million to chronically poor women in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, many of whom are caring for children who have been orphaned by AIDS. These loans, though modest in size, open the door for women to start small businesses that generate income they can use to pay school fees, buy food, access healthcare, and improve daily life for their families. The benefits ripple outward, as borrowers begin hiring helpers, strengthening their communities, and advocating for local development, creating a cycle of economic growth and social empowerment that touches families, neighbors, and future generations.

Through this program, WMI carefully screens and trains women before issuing loans ranging from $50 to $250—amounts that can transform the economic prospects of a family living in poverty. Borrowers receive ongoing support, including business training, regular group meetings, and site visits to ensure they are equipped to manage and grow their enterprises. WMI also introduces women to the formal banking system, helping them build financial literacy and a foundation for long-term economic stability. At the heart of the program’s success is the transformation that occurs when women gain the confidence and tools to run their own businesses. They learn to keep accurate records, manage finances, and approach entrepreneurship with skill and determination—changes that dramatically shift their sense of independence and capability. A decade of data collected from the field consistently demonstrates the remarkable outcomes produced by this model.

The empowerment of women living in extreme poverty has a profound impact not only on individual families but on entire communities. As women experience financial success, they become active participants in local decision-making, championing grassroots movements and pushing for meaningful social and economic reform within their countries. Their priorities remain centered on improving the well-being of their children and households—investing their profits in better nutrition, reliable healthcare, and school fees to secure brighter futures for the next generation. By giving women access to credit and the training needed to succeed, WMI helps them break cycles of poverty and build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities from the ground up.

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