Norry beams with enthusiasm from inside her small corner shop. Having always wanted to own and operate her own business, Norry requested and received a small loan from the MFI CEVI of the Philippines. Norry shares that, “owning and operating my own store is indeed an overwhelming blessing from heaven.”

Norry uses her newly found profits to further the educational desires of her son. Ryan, 17, is in his first year of college and is able to attend because of the tuition paid by his mother’s thriving business.

Recently, VisionFund affiliated MFIs began participating in the Child Well-Being Outcomes initiative (CWBO). Now, MFIs will be assessing how small loans, and increased family income, are having a direct result on the education quality of clients’ children.

Khalide Ahmedova of Azerbaijan prepares food for her cows. Before receiving a small loan from MFI AzerCredit, Khalide shares that she “had nothing.” Relying on a small government stipend, Kahlide and her family reached out to AzerCredit for help through a small loan. Since her initial loan, Khalide’s life has improved immensely. Now, she can provide for her family, and has even earned enough profit to buy and maintain a car.

Along with agricultural loans, which amount to 50% of all VisionFund loans, many MFIs are able to provide education in animal husbandry through partnering with the local World Vision office.

Multiple VisionFund affiliated MFIs provide HIV and AIDS prevention education and loans specifically for people living with the virus. Through increasing their income, people living with HIV and AIDS can potentially improve their own lives through accessing much needed health care services.

Martha, pictured here, is able to supplement her income by selling mangoes picked from her farm in Mexico. Living with HIV, Martha also uses the mangoes to supplement her diet, which requires one rich in fruits and vegetables. Recently, Martha has gained weight, and continues to follow the advice from her doctor.

In the Chiwara region of Mali, a child joyfully wets her hands in the village’s water pump. 100% of micro borrowers from Mali’s VisionFund affiliated MFI, RMCR, are located in areas where World Vision works to develop communities.

Micro borrowers are able to access life-giving clean water for their families, improving their lives and allowing them to focus on improving their businesses.

World Vision is reinforcing its Christian foundations and identity throughout the organisation through the Christian Witness Initiative (CWI).

For VisionFund, appropriate Christian witness means that VisionFund views its clients as made in God’s image and treats them with dignity and respect. VisionFund does not proselytise or discriminate based on religion.

CWI resources are being piloted in six MFIs representing the diverse contexts in which VisionFund works: Albania, Cambodia, Mali, Nicaragua, Philippines, and Uganda. With the rollout of these resources to all affiliated MFIs next year, 5,000 staff will be empowered to bring about lasting impact to clients through appropriate expressions of God’s character and nature.