Felixstowe Landguard Rotary Changing Lives With Loans

Felixstowe Landguard Rotary Club are celebrating a landmark charitable achievement as one of hundreds of Rotary clubs from across the country to contribute over £1 million to Lendwithcare, a microfinance charity which enables people in the UK to make small loans to entrepreneurs from poor communities around the world.

People in the developing world don’t want to rely on hand-outs. Lendwithcare is an innovative scheme which allows people to lend small sums of money directly to entrepreneurs to help them change their business plans into life changing opportunities. Unlike most charities, 100% of loans go to entrepreneurs.

Since October 2011, Rotary clubs across the UK have been raising funds to make small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, enabling them to start or expand their small businesses and work their way out of poverty, feed their families and send their children to school.

More than £1 million has now been lent by Rotary to farmers, tailors, market stallholders and food producers to name just a few of the types of businesses Rotary have helped in 11 countries across Africa, Asia and South America.

Felixstowe Landguard Rotary Club have raised and lent a total of £5,850, contributing towards the national £1 million landmark, with the club loaning to entrepreneurs in 11 countries.  

Club President Jim Peek said: “Felixstowe Landguard Rotary Club are proud to be a part of this fantastic initiative. Lendwithcare is a great way to help people out of poverty. You see exactly who the money is going to, and what they will use it for.

“The entrepreneur uses the funds to help them to earn a living, often employing family members and neighbours as well, helping to lift their communities out of poverty. They pay the loans back, which can be re-lent to person after person.”

Rotary is one of the world’s largest and most successful global membership and humanitarian service organisations, with 1.2 million members in over 200 countries volunteering their time and their talents to tackle challenges at home and abroad to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children and grow local economies.

Club President Jim Peek continued: “Felixstowe Landguard Rotary Club has a proud history of fundraising for charitable causes through community events, and Lendwithcare is a fantastic cause and very popular with our members.

“Local people have given generously and it’s testament to their generosity that we’ve managed to reach an incredible £1 million. That money will keep being re-lent and re-lent, translating into many millions of pounds worth of loans over the coming years.” 

Rotarian Brian Davies recently had the opportunity to join a weekly meeting of a microfinance group operating in South Africa. The women run a business buying chicken feed in bulk and selling to individuals in their local communities. The profits are used by the members to improve their families’ lives by funding necessities such education and healthcare.

Head of Lendwithcare, Tracey Horner, added: “Through Lendwithcare, Rotary have helped change the lives of more than 5,000 entrepreneurs around the world so far. We’re grateful to every Rotary member who lends their time and energy to raise funds to lend to people trying to earn a living in some of the most challenging environments in the world. It really is life-changing for the people we work with, and we want to extend our huge thanks to Rotary Great Britain and Ireland, and everyone at Felixstowe Landguard Rotary Club.”

Anyone can make a loan through Lendwithcare or buy a Lendwithcare voucher as a gift. Loans start from £15 and will typically be paid back over 6-12 months. Follow Felixstowe Landguard Rotary Club’s footsteps and visit www.lendwithcare.org to make a loan and change a life.

You can also contact Brian Davies, secretary for Felixstowe Landguard Rotary Club, at: landguardsecretary@hotmail.co.uk