What today constitutes AAPI was founded in 1991, as a scholarship agency to address the educational needs of families who are financially unable to support their children through primary and post-primary education. AAPI has successfully supported numerous families in Arochukwu, Abia State of Nigeria, to see their children out of both primary and post-primary schools. However, in 1998, AAPI was incorporated as a non-profit organization on the novel idea: that credit, not charity provides the surest way out of poverty for poor women and their families. AAPI grants loans in small amounts with progressively higher amounts for repeat loans, as members gain confidence and skill in utilizing their previous loans. By providing destitute mothers with small loans, AAPI enables them to start or expand small businesses. As a result women who once depended on the good will of others have become financially independent, creating a continuos source of income for themselves and their families and improving their families health and nutrition.

AAPII President - Nnanna Okereke

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
It is a sad commentary that over 70% of Nigerians still live in abject poverty, in spite of the country's abundant natural resources. Nigeria's rural communities are characterized by illiteracy, poverty, high fertility, poor health conditions and a lot more. The Nigerian Government has at different times acknowledged the prevalence and dire effects of poverty on the citizenry and also enunciated plans for ameliorating it. However, effort in terms of strategies and solutions has always remained a far cry from redressing the issue.

SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
The incidence of poverty, including its severe debilitating conditions fall heavily on women and children. Most children are forced to defer their education in favor of street trading to help their parents. Some of them have taken to criminal activities not minding the consequences. Many university graduates roam the streets without any prospects of securing gainful employment. Some of our women are engaged in socially undesirable activities to make ends meet. Many cannot find jobs so they are limited to petty trading or providing small-scale services. They work long, hard hours, yet are unable to feed or educate their families. Their poverty is not due to laziness or lack of intelligence, but lack of capital. Without capital to start or strengthen their businesses, they remain locked in a cycle of poverty. Banks will not lend to them because the amount needed by the poor are too small to be profitable, and because the poor often lack the necessary collateral and credit history, thus they remain locked in poverty cycle. But it does not have to be this way. At AAPI, we know that the challenge is enormous, but we are doing something about it, and we are doing it TODAY.

STRATEGY
The prevailing poverty in the community requires a body which will act as a catalyst to galvanize people, at grassroots level, into action through provision of credit facilities for small scale economic activities. This is more so because programs initiated by the government have failed to adequately tackle the problem. Action Against Poverty International Inc. was therefore, created on the novel idea: that credit not charity provides the surest way out of poverty for poor women and their families. Since 1991 it existed as a scholarship agency and successfully supported numerous families in Arochukwu to see their children out of both primary and post-primary schools. However, in 1998, AAPI was incorporated as a non profit organization and its activities expanded to include financial support to women to enable them get out of the grip of poverty. It aims to reduce poverty by empowering women, to start and operate their own businesses.

We invite you to learn more about our organization and these extraordinary women with whom we work, and how you can help transform the lives of families, many of whom live in abject poverty.