FINCA Kyrgyzstan Update

July 26, 2010
Ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan in June led to the deaths of thousands—mostly Uzbeks—while hundreds of thousands fled the country. Fourteen FINCA clients died or were reported missing; hundreds of client businesses were looted or burned.

FINCA Kyrgyzstan Situation Stabilizing

July 2, 2010
FINCA offices in Kyrgyzstan, recently beset by another wave of ethnic clashes, have been fully operational every business day, except for those in Osh and two other southern cities in which the violence was most intense.

USDA Grants Support Rural Clients in Nicaragua and Honduras

June 30, 2010
USDA officials visited FINCA Nicaragua clients benefiting from a USDA Food for Progress grant, which has enabled the program to expand its outreach and lending to agricultural clients.

USDA Benefits 10,000 FINCA Honduras Agricultural Clients

June 28, 2010
Speaking in Honduras, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Administrator John Brewer announced a USDA Food for Progress grant that will benefit 10,000 FINCA Honduras clients.

FINCA Kyrgyzstan Forced to Close Offices

June 18, 2010
Ethnic violence has, once again, erupted in southern Kyrgyzstan, resulting in nearly 200 deaths and several thousand injured, according to Kyrgyzstan's Health Ministry, with hundreds of thousands ethnic Uzbeks fleeing the area, and tens of thousands more crossing the border into Uzbekistan.

Give Dad a special Father's Day gift and help poor families

Show your Dad, or other important man in your life, how special he is by giving him a Father's Day gift that will help transform the lives of hard-working families around the world. Send a Village Banking Father's Day ecard today.

Join FINCA's Sustainer's Circle

Joining FINCA's Sustainer's Circle is an easy way to make a monthly donation of just $10 or more that really adds up to a substantial contribution for hard-working women.

A loan of $10 helped Martha Ngwinda from Malawi open a nursery school that has helped her and her children escape a life of grinding poverty.

This Mother’s Day, Help FINCA Transform the Lives
of Mothers and Children

Celebrate Mother’s Day by making a life-changing gift to FINCA. Send one of our beautiful eCards to honor all the mothers in your life, and share your love.

Haiti at 100 Days - Rebuilding Underway

100 days after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, tens of thousands of Haitians are looking for a hand up, not a hand out, to help rebuild their country and their lives. You can help.

Text FINCA to 90999 to donate $10 or give online today.

Kyrgyzstan - Two Weeks of Protests

April 21, 2010
Since my update last week, we have learned that protests and sporadic clashes are still erupting in Kyrgyzstan as the local population adjusts to the new political landscape. We are hopeful that the environment will stabilize but continue to monitor the situation closely.

Update on FINCA Kyrgyzstan

April 14, 2010
In the days since last week’s uprising in Kyrgyzstan, I am saddened to report that two of our clients were among those who died in the midst of the civil unrest. As well, the businesses of eight clients in Bishkek were looted in the aftermath of the violent protests. Our hearts are with each and every one of our 108,000 clients in Kyrgyzstan during these difficult times.

FINCA Kyrgyzstan Offices Closed During Civil Unrest

April 12, 2010
Last week's uprising in Kyrgyzstan has resulted in opposition leaders seizing power, with clashes between police and protesters leaving dozens dead.  We have been in constant contact with FINCA staff in Kyrgyzstan, working closely with our security provider to monitor the situation on the ground, and ensure the safety of FINCA Kyrgyzstan employees.

Does Microfinance Make an Impact?

April 8, 2010
Two recent studies have brought into question microfinance's economic impact on the lives of the poor.

FINCA Armenia Secures Loan to Help Struggling Poor

March, 2010
FINCA Armenia will be able to extend its life-changing loans to as many as 6,000 of Armenia’s lowest-income entrepreneurs, thanks to a local currency loan worth US$ 4 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

FINCA Azerbaijan Ranked Among Best in the Country

January 2010
The Azerbaijan Microfinance Association has honored FINCA Azerbaijan as one of "the best of the best" of its 26 members during a ceremony attended by directors of Azerbaijan’s National Bank, several cabinet ministers, and leading investors and bankers.

FINCA UK Marks First Anniversary by Hosting Breakfast Symposium

December 2009
Nearly 100 people attended FINCA UK’s second annual symposium, “Businesswomen Helping Businesswomen,” held Thursday, December 3rd, in the Central London offices of Covington & Burling LLP. The event was generously sponsored by Credit Suisse.

FINCA Shares Learning on Innovations in Microfinance

October 7, 2009
Women in the developing world play a crucial role as economic catalysts, despite their limited access to financial services, health care and education. How we better serve them through innovative financial products and services was the focal point of discussion during a recent event for FINCA supporters and thought leaders in New York City.

FINCA Armenia Celebrates Ten Years of Changing Lives

September 2009
Founded in 1999, FINCA Armenia is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month, continuing to set high standards for both the region and the FINCA network.

GE Capital Global Banking Continues Support for Village Banking Campaign

August 2009
GE Capital Global Banking continues its $1.5 million, three-year commitment to FINCA’s Village Banking Campaign goal of reaching one million of the world’s lowest-income entrepreneurs with small loans, insurance and savings products. FINCA will use the second installment of $500,000 to provide loan capital for poor entrepreneurs – the vast majority of them women and mothers – in two of its neediest programs,  Jordan and Haiti, and to further expand its client impact research.

FINCA Zambia Welcomes Special Visitors

August 2009
A non-official congressional staff delegation met with FINCA Zambia Village Bank clients, and attended two Village Bank meetings during a recent educational visit to the impoverished country.