Breaking Barriers: Loans for Women with HIV in Malawi
Donation protected
Help us break the cycle of poverty, one woman at a time.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen firsthand the immense challenges faced by HIV-positive women in Karonga, Malawi. Many have been abandoned by their families and left to survive in extreme poverty. They live in mud homes, struggle to feed their children, and face relentless discrimination due to their health status. With little to no access to jobs or education, they remain trapped in a cycle of poverty that feels impossible to escape.
One woman told me, “We are treated like we don’t exist. We want to work, but no one will give us a chance.” These stories are not isolated; they are the norm.
But despite all the hardships, these women are incredibly resilient. They dream of a future where they can support themselves and their families. And with your help, we can make this future possible.
Our Goal:
We’re launching a project to provide $115 loans to 15 HIV-positive women so they can start their own small businesses—whether it’s selling goods, farming, or running a shop. These businesses will help them regain their independence and provide for their families.
But this project is more than just financial support. The women will also receive training in financial management, business planning, and entrepreneurship. We will mentor them every step of the way, ensuring they are set up for success.
Once their loans are repaid, the funds will be reinvested to support more women, creating a sustainable cycle of empowerment.
Our Plan of Action:
1. Identify and Select Beneficiaries: We worked closely with community leaders and conducted interviews to select the most vulnerable HIV-positive women who are committed to starting a business.
2. Training and Mentorship: Each woman will participate in a business training program to learn skills such as budgeting, managing inventory, and creating a business plan. They will also be paired with a mentor for ongoing guidance.
3. Loan Disbursement: Each selected woman will receive a $115 loan to kickstart her business, with the funds disbursed in stages based on key milestones.
4. Business Monitoring and Follow-up: Monthly check-ins will be conducted to track progress, offer additional support, and ensure the businesses are moving forward. Repayments will be made over 12 months in interest-free installments.
5. Sustainability: As loans are repaid, the money will be reinvested into new loans for other women in need, making this project self-sustaining and impactful for the long term.
Why This Matters:
In 2022, we piloted this project with smaller loans, and the results were powerful. Women were able to provide for their families, regain confidence, and break free from the cycle of poverty. This project goes beyond finances—it restores hope and gives these women the chance to reclaim their dignity.
Cost Breakdown (in USD):
- Loan per woman: $115 (15 women, total $1,725)
- Workshop Training: $75
- Monthly Mentorship: $150 Emily Susu, a social worker, financial advisor and succesful entrepeneur will be in charge of monitoring the project. She will conduct monthly visits to each of the women's place of business to asess them and to craft reports that she will send to the organization.
- Administrative Costs: $150 (HYCF Organization's wages, Accounting, Supplies and Transportation.)
Total needed: USD$2,100 or AUD$3,112
Although all the project costs are calculated in USD, due to banking restrictions in both Malawi and Argentina, we are unable to use local accounts to receive international donations. As a result, we have had to convert the fundraising campaign to AUD (Australian Dollars) and use my Australian bank account for the donations.
I understand that this may cause some confusion with the displayed goal being in AUD rather than USD, but please rest assured that all donations will still go towards covering the outlined project costs, and we will ensure full transparency in how the funds are used.
About Me:
I’m Carola, an Argentinean lawyer specialized in human rights, currently volunteering in Malawi to empower vulnerable communities. I have seen firsthand the transformative power of entrepreneurship in lifting people out of poverty, and I believe in the potential of these women to not only survive but thrive.
If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact me at +5491140442043.
Together with HYCF, we are committed to making this project sustainable, impactful, and life-changing for these women. With your help, we can give them the tools they need to build a future filled with possibility.
THANK YOU!!!
HYCF Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hycf_mw/
Newspaper Recognition: https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/micro-loans-help-rural-women-start-small-businesses-and-get-more-financially-independent
Mi Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carola-albores-/
Organizer
Carola Albores
Organizer
Suffolk Park, NSW