Kristin

Today we visited one of Stromme´s partners here in Lima called Asidme, which does micro finanze. Its about giving out small loans to persons that are so poor they are not given the possibility to loan from a bank etc. This loan will make them able to for instance buy equipment to produce things to sell. One of the ladies we visited (in their homes) was making small teddybears, sowed by hand and sold for about 1 Sol (2 kr) each. Most of the time she exports them to abroad, because the competition is really tough here in Peru. In this manner she can provide financial support to her family and make a living. Everyone receiving this loan has to be part of a "grupo de confianza", which consists of about 25 people (mostly women- because Stroemme sees a real potential in these). This group meets regularly to exchange experiences and knowledge, but also to receive teaching on different subjects as for instance how to do business and also more human knowledge such as their rights as women/humans. They are also given the opportunity to learn to make soap and other things to make a business out of. If a person cant pay her/his interest, the group as a whole has to help her economically that month. In this way, being a member of the group is a form of insurance. Very interesting to see that micro finance actually helps people to make a living! I could tell by the womens smiles...