Releasing the Talents of the Poor in Bolivia with Microcredit

Home > Our Programs > Bolivia

How it Began

Four years ago, two sisters caught a vision of how savings and credit groups could transform the lives of the poor in their community after participating in a series of Five Talents training workshops in Tarija, Bolivia.

“They were two of the most enthusiastic participants in the training workshop,” said Five Talents Latin America Coordinator Tom Waddell, who led the workshops. “I was excited and enthusiastic about the possible partnership with two gifted women, who work as trainers, knowing they could be a blessing to many poor people in Tarija.”

Upon their return to Bolivia, Sara and Eva Mamani began to promote – on a volunteer basis – the formation of rotating savings groups in local churches and communities. Now four years later, Five Talents will build on the foundation the sisters have laid by funding a new microcredit and savings program called “Semillas de Bendición,” which means “Seeds of Blessing.”

“It is rare to discover people with such a passion to help others and who serve with such a sense of calling without expectation of material compensation,” Waddell said.

Five Talents approved a partnership with Semillas de Bendición, based in south central Bolivia, and began funding the project in Fall 2008. It focused initially on 10 women’s groups in the city of Tarija and 13 groups in rural communities, including El Puente, Entre Rios, Calamuchita and Valle Concepción. These groups target those who are not able to access services from the limited microfinance industry in Tarija due to geographic or economic barriers.

“This is important work in Bolivia – reaching those who are left out and marginalized,” said Five Talents Executive Director Craig Cole. “We are looking forward to seeing many lives transformed in Tarija in the coming months.”

Five Talents also partners with the Anglican Diocese of Bolivia and the Association of Evangelical Churches of Tarija to establish and implement this program.

Through this program, Five Talents expects clients to gain business skills as well as the habits of saving and borrowing, which will enable them to participate in enterprise development. At the end of 2009, 32 groups, with a collective savings of $15,000, had been formed.

Click here to view a program update.

*Seed funding generously provided by ARDF.