What we do

ASAP trains rural communities, mainly women, to form savings clubs, pool their resources, create income generating activities and become self-reliant.

Why we do it

In rural Africa, families are becoming increasingly unable to afford even basic necessities. ASAP provides a supportive learning environment that teaches individuals how to take control of their economic situation and take the first step out of poverty.

How we do it

ASAP's staff begins by providing training for all participants in leadership, resource mobilization, loan appraisal and bookkeeping. The participants then decide on the rules for their own club and begin saving. They pool their money at each meeting and provide loans to each other, which are then paid back with interest and loaned to another participant.

Savings clubs pool their money in a pot or bowl and loan it all back out after collecting payments with interest from borrowers

ASAP's field officers monitor saving club activities closely for the first month, providing guidance on how to handle problems as they are encountered. Once a club is functional, the field officer continues to follow-up monthly on group activities. After about a year, the clubs graduate and become independent; ASAP continues to track fund growth and loan data throughout the life of the project.

Savings club members make contributions and repay loans each member checks the bookkeeping for accuracy

Each savings club becomes self-sustaining as the participants move from the ASAP training toward graduation. Graduation is when all members are able to borrow from the fund at one time, and the monitoring required by the ASAP field officer is minimal. Each group takes ownership not only of the money they earn, but also of the skills they develop in the process. Through this community-based method, the participants gain confidence and learn skills to become self-reliant.

Beautiful handicrafts are made to sell and bring handsome profits

The program has truly changed participants' lives in material ways but there is another immeasurable benefit as these women gain status within the household. The power to make decisions, even the smallest one, is huge in the life of a woman that has depended on her husband to provide virtually everything. In the case of rural women living in Africa, where polygamy still exists, having personal money also gives her decision-making power in the home; for many it's the first time .

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