Townships Project

Micro-lending in South Africa Townships

For several years Canadian Memorial has supported an ecumenical group of people from across Canada who have donated money to be loaned to women in a township of South Africa. This enables them to begin or continue a small business so that they can eventually lift themselves out of poverty. These people form groups of five individuals, make a business plan, keep records and repay the loans on a weekly basis. When the first loan is repaid at the end of six months, they qualify for a second higher loan until at the end of two years, they are able to go to a bank, show them their repayment record and have a better opportunity of qualifying for a bank loan. 

In November 2000, some people from Canadian Memorial travelled to South Africa to see what our money was accomplishing.  This photo shows some of our members visiting the proprietor of a Tuck Shop who is participating in the micro-lending project.  Anita Innis took the opportunity to visit again in 2004.

There will likely be future opportunities for others to visit South Africa and the townships. 

Contact Jocelyn Pritchard, Natalie Hall, Anita Innis, Ray McGinnis, Cathy McPherson, or Pat Shaw for more information.  They are also willing to speak to interested groups about this project.

Visit the Townships Project web site.