Tweet

Not Just Treasure in Heaven Alliance for Christians in Development ACID to Grant Micro Loans to Benefit Ugandan Schoolchildren

Written by: David Satterthwaite

Article Overview: The Alliance for Christians in Development (ACID) Trust, a non-governmental development organization based in Uganda which, among other projects, provides microfinance services to rural women and youth, will be extending micro loans to parents who cannot afford to pay their children’s school fees. Typically, fees cost about USD 35 per term. A September 2006 report (pg 4) by Save the Children indicated that 1.1 million primary-aged children in Uganda are out of school, the majority because they cannot afford uniforms, books, and basic supplies. Under ACID Trust’s program, the plan is that parents will borrow from the trust interest-free, invest the money to make a profit, pay back the loan and save the remainder to put toward their children’s education.

Not Just Treasure in Heaven Alliance for Christians in Development ACID to Grant Micro Loans to Benefit Ugandan Schoolchildren

The Alliance for Christians in Development (ACID) Trust, a non-governmental development organization based in Uganda which, among other projects, provides microfinance services to rural women and youth, will be extending micro loans to parents who cannot afford to pay their children’s school fees. Typically, fees cost about USD 35 per term. A September 2006 report (pg 4) by Save the Children indicated that 1.1 million primary-aged children in Uganda are out of school, the majority because they cannot afford uniforms, books, and basic supplies. Under ACID Trust’s program, the plan is that parents will borrow from the trust interest-free, invest the money to make a profit, pay back the loan and save the remainder to put toward their children’s education. Funds are not only available to parents, but to children–specifically the large population of orphans in the country.

ACID began as an HIV/AIDS NGO over 20 years ago but transformed into a micro credit provider under the stewardship of Chief Director and founder Pastor Aaron Siribaleka. ACID’s development projects now include two savings bureaus–the Education Savings Bureau and the Medical Savings Bureau, an agricultural production program, a housing project, a savings and credit venture and the newly-established computer development centers. According to Mr. Siribaleka, ACID has branches in seven countries: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Tanzania and the United States. At this time, no financial information is available for either the Alliance for Christians in Development or the US chapter, known as American Christians in Development.

Related Articles
  Police in Uganda Investigate Front Page Micro Finance and Three Other Microfinance Firms
  5.0 Micro Enterprises - What are they?: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Enterprise Growth in Uganda
  Five Talents Joins a Consortium of Fellow Christian NGOs to Support Microfinance Program in Sudan
  Ugandan Government Initiative to Subsidise Solar Power Equipment by 45% to be Implemented by Rural Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)
  SBA Loan Programs

Article Tags: agricultural production, american christians, chief director, computer development, credit provider, development organization, development projects, education funds, education savings, hiv aids, housing project, medical savings, micro credit, micro loans, orphans, pastor aaron, rural women, rwanda burundi, s education, stewardship



Related Forum Posts
Re: Require Info on CAD Fed/Prov Grants for Restaurant Start-up - Hello everybody, I am a Hispanic woman who is going to become a Medical Lab Technician. I have decided to go back to school after having first child a little over a year ago. I have already been accepted into the program, but I am trying to find all the funding I can. I have already applied for Pell Grant and Subsidized Student loans, but the Pell Grant only covered 3 of the 4 classes. So I am looking into grants? Will I qualify this? Please help me.
Getting financed - It has always been my experience that it will always be better to be in business debt rather than personal debt, but I suppose when you can run your business out of your home and have so little overhead, it could be better to simply finance yourself and secure a business line of credit just in case you need it. On the flip side, when it comes to businesses outside the home, you want to secure financing and SBA is probably the way to go (depending upon what your total project will cost). Banks that provide SBA loan products prefer the loan be 100K or more. Then there are Micro Loans (loans that go up to 35K) and Signature Loans that are unsecured loans and mainly based on your credit score (680 or higher), they can finance anything in between and then some. It's been said in some of my other posts that when you obtain business loans its beneficial because you are building a track record with a lender for future use. Should you get financed via a business loan and later you need additional working capital to keep your business going (or to expand) the lender is going to be more apt to help you because they have already taken on the risk of your loan. Now, they would prefer you better yourself whether it be expansion or to pull yourself out of a hole so you do not default on the 1st loan... and if that means helping you further, believe me they will do it. However, if you finance yourself, who's going to help you with additional working capital if you run into trouble? Lenders won't help you because you financed yourself...they tend to take on the attitude that you didnt need them before, so why now? What if you had originally financed yourslef with home equity and still haven't paid it back...now you have a first mortgage a second or Home Equity line of Credit and your business is in touble and you have no way out.
New Small Business Topic - Hello everyone, I'm on the lookout for new topics to add to my site. We just launched a Franchising section and are planning Human Resources section. Do you have any thoughts for a new section? Here's a list of what we currently have: Angel Investors Branding Bank Loans Business Coaching Business Plan Franchises (New) Insurance Legal Marketing Public Relations Sales Small Biz Loans Venture Capital
Re: what position to request? - Hi Michael, Great suggestion from David, or you could try something around a design consultancy, How about Website Design Consultant, Design and Development Manager, Website Support and Development Manager or maybe Internet Business Development Consultant. Ultimately whatever you are comfortable with and good luck for the future, Mal.
Micro Loans - That's interesting Russell. The following is more information on Micro Loans and anyone within the USA who would like a list of Micro Loan Lenders (listed by State) I have that information! Just let me know and i'll get it out to you in my spare time. The Microloan Program provides very small loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small business concerns. Under this program, SBA makes funds available to nonprofit community based lenders (intermediaries) which, in turn, make loans to eligible borrowers in amounts up to a maximum of $35,000. The average loan size is about $13,000. Applications are submitted to the local intermediary and all credit decisions are made on the local level. Terms, Interest Rates, and Fees: The maximum term allowed for a microloan is six years. However, loan terms vary according to the size of the loan, the planned use of funds, the requirements of the intermediary lender, and the needs of the small business borrower. The maximum loan amount is $35,000, however, the average loan amount is around $13,000. Interest rates vary, depending upon the intermediary lender and costs to the intermediary from the U.S. Treasury. Generally these rates will be between 8 eight percent and thirteen percent. Collateral Each intermediary lender has its own lending and credit requirements. However, business owners contemplating application for a microloan should be aware that intermediaries will generally require some type of collateral, and the personal guarantee of the business owner. Technical Assistance Each intermediary is required to provide business based training and technical assistance to its microborrowers. Individuals and small businesses applying for microloan financing may be required to fulfill training and/or planning requirements before a loan application is considered. How to Apply: Small businesses that are interested in applying for a microloan should contact a microlender in their area.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Selling On Ebay The Good The Bad And The Ugly

Executive Blind Spots

What Type of Business Should I Start?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.