Business Development for Widows

Help provide funds so widows can begin their own businesses.

Some widows desire to start their own tailoring business but need money for a sewing machine, plus tailoring classes. Others want to raise chickens and sell the meat and eggs. Others want to make beautiful batik to sell at the marketplace. Their ideas are as varied as the widows themselves. All they need is a little help.

Your donation will be used as a microloan to help a widow with the startup costs associated with beginning a business. The widow will be a part of a group of 8-10 widows who have partnered together, each with their own microloan and business plan. They have agreed that if one of them does not repay their loan, the others become liable. It is a system of checks and balances that encourages the women to help one another succeed. OA has a loan officer in place to help the women, to advise them, and to keep them on track to maximize their chances of success.

Once the microloan is repaid, the monies received will be “reused” to help another widow begin her business! In other words, your donation keeps on giving!

Widows in the Mbeya region of Tanzania make straw mats which are good for rugs, for wall hangings, and for sleeping on.

A widow weaves a straw mat.

It is illegal in Tanzania to import cloth or manufactured clothing, making tailoring big business and a valued skill.

An internet café managed by MOP widows. Widows are receiving computer training from OA staff, Wilfred Batakanwa. Click here to read more about the Howell Internet Café and Computer Skills Center.