Micro-credit
In order to better meet the family planning needs of Guatemalans in rural areas, WINGS’ partner organization APROFAM has developed a system of volunteer community health promoters. The program is similar to WINGS’ family planning promoter network, but on a national scale. The promoters, almost all women, run small businesses to provide temporary family planning methods and other basic health supplies in their communities.
They are trained and supplied by APROFAM, which now supports 3,500 health promoters nationwide. In return for their services, APROFAM’s promoters are able to collect a small profit on the products which they sell.
Because the margin of profit is so small (generally no more Q10 or $1.30 on each product sold), APROFAM’s promoters have faced difficulties in developing sustainable businesses and investing in adequate supplies to meet rising demand. To address the need for greater investment, WINGS and APROFAM jointly developed a microcredit program, which provides small loans to health promoters. These six-month loans of Q500 ($65) are extended either to new promoters wishing to join APROFAM's network or to existing promoters who plan to invest in their inventories. As loans are repaid, new loans can be extended, multiplying the impact of the program.
Through this pilot project, WINGS hopes to contribute to a model for collaborative development which links micro-credit services to community health objectives.