Micro-enterprise unites church ministry in Rwanda

Opportunity International, along with three of the world's leading Christian micro-enterprise organizations, is seeing success in their latest project, reports MNN.

The partnership includes World Relief, a Baltimore-based agency that specializes in rebuilding communities in the aftermath of war or natural disaster. World Relief has operated Urwego Community Banking, the first and largest micro-finance institution in Rwanda, since 1997. World Relief Canada and HOPE International have been financial partners in Urwego for several years.

The team launched a micro-finance bank for the poor in Rwanda two months ago. Since then, they've seen steady progress toward rebuilding and reunification in the community. Opportunity brings their financial and technology expertise in the operation of the new bank.

According to the ministry, that is the foundation for change. Dr. Ephraim Kabaija, former chief of staff to President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and currently the President's advisor on rural development, explained the critical need for a bank that offers savings accounts to the Rwandan people. "Do you know how many children die in our country every year because their mothers cannot afford the $2 - $10 needed to buy medicines to treat diarrhea, fever, malaria and other common illnesses? Do you appreciate how much angst, misery and despair we could eliminate from our country if every family had $50 in a savings account?"

Over the next 12 to 18 months, UOMB expects to further expand banking operations across the country using innovative technologies to enable poor Rwandans easy access to safe and secure financial transactions.

Opportunity International provides small loans -- sometimes as little as $50 -- and other services that allow poor entrepreneurs to start or expand a business, develop a steady income, provide for their families and create jobs for their neighbors. The Urwego Opportunity Micro-finance Bank (UOMB) of Rwanda underscores the ministry's commitment to Christ's call in serving the poor.

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[01/03/2008]

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