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What IS Microfinance for Youth is a cooperative program between the GDCU, Sizathina High School and the Zulu Tribal Council of the Kwazulu-Natal Province in Loskop, South Africa. We work with students to develop employment skills, as well as fundamentals of accounting and business management. Small loans are given to students - which must be repaid - in order to assist them in starting small businesses, as well as to develop an economic base within the tribal community. Learn more...
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 This is Atwell, one of our first and most successful MFY participants at Sizathina High School in Loskop, South Africa. Atwell's original loan was about $73 US. His mother & aunt work with him on his business. Atwell says he won't be participating in MFY again, because his business is growing. He makes enough money to help feed his family, buy his clothes - even a cell phone. But, there's another reason why Atwell says he won't be "in the program" anymore. He says the time he spends after school in the program is not enjoyable because he's too hungry. |
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MFY
at Sizothina: |
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| A pilot program such as MFY at Sizathina High School uncovers a great
number of conditions and factors that are not readily apparent. As young Americans, our entire lives are inundated with messages and imagery to instill capitalism as a "normal" way of life. In the Kwazulu Natal, we've found that people want to have money for food and essentials, but are unmotivated by the usual enticements of materialism (an indication of their lack of hope for the future), and do not have a cultural work ethic because of a lack of role models due to family deaths from AIDS, tuberculosis and meningitis. We're particularly excited to report that we've entered into an agreement to advise and train teachers to provide students a 5-year program of economic training and development as part of their school curriculum. This training includes instruction in Non-Violent Communications as developed by Marshall Rosenberg and the Center for Non-Violent Communication. |
 Atwell has a point about hunger (see above). But, there's a bigger issue than just hunger. Malnutrition is rampant amongst the Zulu in Loskop, as evidenced by the underdevelopment of the children. It's caused by the simple lack of food, as well as the lack of nutrition. Corn is the main staple, and leaves much to be desired in the way of nutrition. One way to alter these facts: teach the children about organic gardening methods, so they can feed themselves and their families, utilize thousands of fallow acres of arable land for agro business... and provide healthy snacks for hungry students staying after school to learn how to become self-sufficient. More... |
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It's easy to anticipate a number of obstacles to success. But, the one that seems most insidious of all is the constant threat of theft. Students who are successful in their efforts to capitalize on these tiny loans face physical danger because of their "prosperity". That's why we're taking on the task of creating a Student Commerce Center where students can store their saleable goods in lockers inside of a secure classroom at the school, instead of leaving goods at home where there are no locks on the doors. |
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