One Bangladeshi woman shares her thoughts about receiving credit from Grameen Bank: "I never thought about borrowing 1,500 taka (about $35) from the Grameen Bank. I am so happy because I got a loan. Now I can buy ducks, hens, goats, increase my income, and send my children to school. Of course, I shall repay the loan on time."

Another woman used her loan to rebuild her home and purchase cattle. She now runs a rice-cleaning mill, and makes the equivalent of about 600 yen a day (six times the average daily wage). "The first time I borrowed any money, I was so worried whether I would ever be able to pay it back. But now that I am making money, I don't feel insecure. The ability to earn my own money has made me much stronger and self-confident. I don't have to ask anyone for anything. I got rid of my anguish. I can do whatever is needed for my children whenever it is needed.

Multitudes of people the world over struggle under the oppressive burden of poverty just to survive from one day to the next. If only they had a chance, just a little money, or the ability to produce something of value, they might be able to improve everyday life for themselves or their loved ones: for instance, in terms of nutrition, a more sanitary environment, or a better education. Systems of micro-credit should be one effective way of affording such individuals access to small amounts of credit without the need for collateral. Micro-credit is highly popular among poor women who do not want their children to experience the same life of poverty. Furthermore, micro-credit programs enjoy a high repayment rate.

To help people in poverty become economically independent, Japan provides yen loans, grant assistance for grassroots projects, and technical cooperation to various institutions that run micro-credit programs, including NGOs and banks like Grameen Bank.

(The above scenarios were derived from a videotape produced with financing from Japan's UNDP/WID Fund. For more information on that videotape, contact the Plaza for International Cooperation by phone at 03-5423-0561).

Financial assistance for the economic independence of rural women: a little money and resourcefulness can pave the way to entrepreneurial success.