Blantyre Urban, Malawi

Aron's dream is to help others.

There are 23 such banks in Blantyre Urban ADP, each with 10 to 30 members. They operate the banks like credit unions, managing the money and the funds themselves. During the repayment period, members pay a monthly loan instalment and must save a minimum of five percent of the loan for their own use.

Access to small loans and business training makes a huge difference to people like Aron, who just need a little help to stand on their own feet. Aron borrowed 2000 Malawian Kwacha (about $NZ51) and paid it back in full in six months. He now has 14,000 Kwacha of his own in savings.

Aron says in the cold season, the jerseys, cardigans and shawls he makes are easy to sell. Babies’ shawls sell well regardless of the season. Now that his business is thriving his dream is to help others. “Once I was down, now I’m going up! I would like to be like World Vision, lending money to other people to help them. I want to be World Vision number two!”