The Microfinance program as a part of Goodwill Group's mission is most appropriate where local economic activity is ongoing to generate sufficient household cash flow and borrowers use loan to grow rather than establish a business. Microfinance has visibly and substantially helped the under-served economy, especially women in many countries. Goodwill Group reasons that financing disadvantaged Thai women in various income generating activities will support its mission of increasing women's well being.
Aim
Alongside with the vocational training, this program will contribute to support disadvantaged Thai women to achieve a better economic level through small business schemes. The ultimate beneficiaries will be Thai women, in particular disadvantaged and low-income whose access to a broader range of appropriate and sustainable financial services will increase.
Objectives
To reduce the poverty of disadvantaged and low-income women.
To assist the students to generate more income via vocational training and loans.
To teach financial planning and management and budgeting.
To build up their confidence and succeed in making better lives for themselves and their families/dependents.
Achievement
In 2007, Goodwill started "Micro-lending Program" firstly with 3 loans recipients in the first half of the year, and lately the 12th loan recipient. Though this newly launched program seemed to grow slowly, there are interests among students. At the same time, Goodwill also tries to out reach wider group of Thai women who also meet our criteria. We believe in the positive impact of a small and simple enterprise that helps improving their quality of life.
