Home     About Us     Mission     News & Info     Programs     Scholarships     Testimonials     How to Help     Contact

AAPI PROGRAMS Credit Administration: Our typical member is a mother who is trying to support herself and her children on an income of less than N100 (one hundred Niara) or US$1 a day. They are organized into groups of five; they come together to start or expand an existing business, guarantee one anothers loan, and provide a mutual support network that that empowers them to operate profitable businesses. AAPI provides credit in small amount with progressively higher amounts for repeat loans as members gain confidence and skill in utilizing the previous loans. The average first time loan is N5,000 (five thousand Niara) or US$50, which can be repaid within one year in weekly installments so that the repayment does not constitute a burden to the borrowers household. Members are obliged to set aside a minimum amount of savings on a weekly basis, as a way of increasing their capital base. They are trained to use credit in the most effective manner, how to calculate profit, how to improve their earnings and to keep their business organized. AAPI charges interest on its loans and interest earnings are used to cover the cost of making the loan. Loan repayments are made weekly. If a member fails to repay their loans on time, the entire group must wait to receive a new loan until she repays. Group solidarity and peer pressure are used to oversee the proper utilization of the credit, which are used for income generating activities. The members elect a Management Committee to lead the group and to enforce AAPI's rules and regulations. Health Education: A poor woman who generates income through micro-credit but does not have adequate access to healthcare for herself and her family, who lacks essential information about health and nutrition is still living in poverty. If borrowers are not healthy they cannot perform economic activities. With this in mind, AAPI members actively advance their own health educating in health education sessions. Members are required to participate in both the credit and heath education sessions. Each session is conducted by a trained AAPI member or a nurse practitioner. Typical discussion topics include sanitation, the nutritional value and proper use of locally available and relatively cheap foods such as soyabeans, melon seeds, wheat, fruits and vegetables. Plans are underway to link with the local Ministry of Health to start an educational program for women in breastfeeding, the use of contraceptives and referral to healthcare facilities. Members elect a Health Coordinator who facilitates health education sessions at the weekly AAPI credit meetings. AAPI has helped many mothers with the means to improve their income and their families' health and nutrition. Scholarship Program: Access to education is fundamental to the elimination of poverty in Nigeria. The scholarship program offers the opportunity for primary and secondary education for children from low income families who cannot afford to educate their children. On completion of their schooling they have opportunity to progress to vocational training or higher education, or to start a small business with the support of our micro credit program.

Home     About Us     Mission     News & Info     Programs     Scholarships     Testimonials     How to Help     Contact

Site Design and Development by eBhatt.com