Dr. Kiri is a very charasmatic and inspirational man. He is the founder of the SANASA movement, which is a microfinance bank in Sri Lanka. It is very successful and ranks second in the world of microfinance banks.
SANASA is a sustainable development bank, however, in order to expand and grow, it relies on support funding from countries around the world.
For those of you who aren't familiar with microfinance banks, they are essentially banks intended to serve the poor. They give micro loans to people without any credit or assets. Loans as little as $50.
The beneficiaries of these loans use the money to start their own business, such as farming, blacksmithing, sewing, etc. The intention is to provide an opportunity for these people to become self-sustainable. And it works!
SANASA has also invested in an Education Centre to educate employees and loan beneficiaries on various subjects such as technology, agriculture, business and gender equality. In 2010, a building was constructed on the campus grounds to be a designated Women's College. Dr. Kiri recognizes the importance of educating women on these issues.
SANASA has also invested in an Education Centre to educate employees and loan beneficiaries on various subjects such as technology, agriculture, business and gender equality. In 2010, a building was constructed on the campus grounds to be a designated Women's College. Dr. Kiri recognizes the importance of educating women on these issues.
I was recently in Sri Lanka and had the privilege of meeting some of the success stories.
As Dr. Kiri says. "I am not looking for charity or aid money. I am looking for seed money, which will be used to develop families and communities."
Today, SANASA has over 800,000 members, nearly 57% are women.
Studies have found that women are more likely to put earned income to good use than their husbands, because they have the best perspective on the needs of the family . When women are economically empowered, children are more likely to be educated and healthy, and more money is likely to be reinvested into the family enterprise.
Studies have found that women are more likely to put earned income to good use than their husbands, because they have the best perspective on the needs of the family . When women are economically empowered, children are more likely to be educated and healthy, and more money is likely to be reinvested into the family enterprise.
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There is a phenomenal book called, Half the Sky, which address gender issues and talks about the status of women around the world and how empowering women through microloans can make a difference.
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If you want to know more about microfinance around the world, or if you want to know how you can get involved, here are some websites to help:
Dr. Kiri and me at a conference involving delegates from Canada, Europe and India, focused on discussing the future of SANASA and microfinance.
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