FINCA is a catalyst for women’s empowerment and economic inclusion of poor and marginalized individuals. At FINCA, we believe in delivering a sustainable approach that empowers people – women in particular – to pursue and achieve their dreams. Often, FINCA clients have bigger dreams as well, such as building small businesses that can raise their incomes and allow them to start saving.
But a lack of access to capital can limit a person’s ability to start a business. With microfinance loans, poor entrepreneurs—considered to be too risky by most commercial banks—can get the financial support they need to build and grow their businesses. As their businesses expand and generate profits, their self-confidence grows, their family’s health improves, and they can send their children to school—thus transforming the community.
When FINCA provides microentrepreneurs with access to financial services, households can transition from everyday survival to planning for the future, turning their dreams into reality.With increased incomes, FINCA’s clients invest in better nutrition, housing, healthcare, and education for their families.
In 2015, FINCA began raising awareness in communities across Uganda about clean energy alternatives, and sold over 7,000 high quality solar lanterns through our social enterprise, BrightLife. With solar lanterns replacing dangerous and polluting kerosene or paraffin lamps, children have become safer and healthier at home. Parents are saving money on fuel costs, and earning extra income by keeping their shops open longer in the evening. School kids can study at night. Girls feel safer walking to the latrine as they carry their lamps.
Ultimately, FINCA’s initiatives are leading to a better quality of life—not just for our clients, but for their children, their parents, their employees, and their communities.
