All Meheba residents over the age of 18 can apply to participate in microlending opportunities, regardless of their gender or financial history. Currently, the project serves men and women from Angola, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 2788 5 false The FORGE Microlending Project invests in individuals to bootstrap themselves out of poverty. Many farmers in the Meheba community find it difficult to access seed and fertilizer in time to plant their crops at the peak of the season. Thus, they lose out on realizing the full potential of their crops. Other farmers cannot afford to purchase fertilizer and find themselves attempting to cultivate land that groups less and less fertile with the years. Through agricultural loans, the FORGE Microlending Project allows refugees to to provide a more reliable source of food for their families and communities. Everyday the staff of this unique lending project witness responsible clients becoming effective community leaders with goods, resources and insight to offer their neighbors. 2007-12-29T08:33:49-06:00 Due to legal restrictions, formal employment is not permitted for refugees in Zambia. This leaves many refugees dependent on rations and handouts in order to meet their daily needs, and fails to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit so prevalent within the camps. Therefore, refugees' ability to successfully cultivate their land has become more and more important. FORGE's Microlending Project provides agricultural loans to members of the Meheba community, ensuring that they receive seed and fertilizer in time to plant at the peak of the season. Loan recipients also receive agricultural education so that they can maximize the potential of their crops using the loaned seed and fertilizer. Upon harvesting, farmers pay the FORGE Microlending Project back with a portion of their harvest, and they can keep the rest for consumption and sale. Loan by loan, the lending project steadily reduces poverty, increases food security, alleviates dependence on international aid, and allows individuals affected by war to regain control over their lives. To reduce poverty and hunger and develop the skills of farmers in Meheba. 6 • Providing microloans of seed and fertilizer to help local entrepreneurs and farmers begin a profitable business • Training each client in best agricultural practice and the proper use of fertilizer #<Location:0xb40f938> 1 • To reduce poverty within Meheba • To endow the Meheba community with entrepreneurial skills and opportunities • To increase food security for the Meheba community Due to legal restrictions, formal employment is not permitted for refugees in Zambia. This leaves many refugees dependent on rations and handouts in order to meet their daily needs, and fails to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit so prevalent within the camps. Therefore, refugees' ability to successfully cultivate their land has become more and more important. FORGE's Microlending Project provides agricultural loans to members of the Meheba community, ensuring that they receive seed and fertilizer in time to plant at the peak of the season. Loan by loan, the lending project steadily reduces poverty, increases food security, alleviates dependence on international aid, and allows individuals affected by war to regain control over their lives. false Increasing self-sufficiency through agricultural training 2010-02-08T20:42:20-06:00