A Promise Caught in Poverty: How YOU Can Change Lives in Benin One Click at a Time

Denadi Marcelline is a mother. She is a wife, provider, and an entrepreneur. She is 38 years old with a husband and four children.

Although it has been established for hundreds of years, Benin has been robbed of its independence. This Sub-Saharan nation was a former slave port on the west coast of Africa until the French took over in the 19th century. Benin gained independence for a short 12 years from 1960 until 1972, but then the communist People's Republic of Benin gained control, and the country's hope of independence vanished until their final reemergence in 1990. The dictatorship left Benin's economy in ruin, and now they are trying to regain control.

In Denadi's country, roughly 1/3 of the country's population live below the poverty line, making less than $1.25 per day. Regional trade is crucial to Benin's economy, where over 75% of the population contributes to the trade market. Denadi is one of those people. Particularly challenging issues to this workforce include child labor, slave labor, and a widespread lack of women's wage equality.

Denadi is asking for $825 U.S. dollars to buy 25 pieces of fabric for her already expanding shop. She also has hopes for purchasing a large market share through a Finadev loan. However, she has only raised 3% toward her goal. She currently makes money enough to support her husband and children, but cannot afford to continue her business alone due to the devastating women's wage inequalities in Benin. She is a hard worker and an established businesswoman in her community. Your $50 contribution can help her reach her dreams and continue to support her dependent household and community. In 14 months, she expects to repay her loan in full. See Denadi's story and fund her future here.

Thousands of other women like Denadi Marcelline need your help. In 3rd world countries such as Benin, literacy and education are privileges many never experience. Often times, less than half or even 1/3 of the population have access to health care, women's services, or children's health services and life expectancy does not reach 60 years of age. Go to www.kiva.org to hear their stories and learn how you can help through microfinance and small business loans in developing countries like Benin.