FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
AES supports women through various initiatives such as soap making, bead making, printing, pomade making, and selling local products.
Vendor Program
In our vendor program, we train men and women to sell beads, printed t-shirts, and soap. These products are produced by our organization and consigned to the vendors at wholesale prices. The vendors then take the products, sell them, bring back the money to pay us for the products and keep the profits. We meet once a month and many of the vendors are part of our community. At present, there are 343 men and women participating in this program.
Micro-Loan Program
In our micro-loan program, we offer small loans to women who want to invest in their own businesses. These women come to our meetings and use the micro-loans to establish their businesses. They pay us back gradually and we pass the money onto others who want a micro-loan.