Microloan Foundation

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The Microloan Foundation (MLF) is a UK-based microfinance charity making small business loans to groups of women in Malawi, in Southern Africa. To date, the MLF has provided over 10,000 loans to around 5,000 women.

[edit] History of MLF

Founded in 2001 by Peter Ryan, the MLF is now run from London by a small management team of two, and an active board of trustees who give their time on a voluntary basis.

The organisation has grown considerably since opening its first office in a garage in Malawi: it now has 6 offices and 13 Loan Managers in Malawi, lending to over 150 women’s groups. The MLF has maintained loan repayment rates of 96% or above every year since it was founded. Once repaid, the money is re-used to provide new microloans.

The MLF is also active in the Philippines where it supports the activities of the Philippines Self-Help Foundation.

[edit] Patrons

The MLF’s patrons are Bob Geldof, KBE, the Bishop of Kensington and TV presenter Gabby Logan. Sir Bob Geldof calls micro loans “such an obvious and important concept, it beggars belief it was not conceived of earlier.”

[edit] External links

Official MLF website: [1]