As a Product Design Consultancy based here in the UK, we meet a lot of entrepreneurs who are extremely creative and motivated. They have many chances of developing their business and changing their lives. Throughout the poorer countries there are many entrepreneurs who are equally as creative and motivated but they can struggle to get just one chance to develop their business. Being a part of the Lendwithcare initiative means that we can be that chance and we can help people to change their lives.
Head of Lendwithcare Tracey Horner says “The support of small businesses like Hillside Design is enormously valuable to Lendwithcare and the work we do to support entrepreneurship in developing countries. Not only have they directly supported 5 micro-businesses who have used their profits to provide for their families but lending as a team spreads the word about Lendwithcare to employees and customers, thus multiplying the impact”.
To date, we have paid loans out of over £600 to 5 individuals across the world. Our support has included loans to a manufacturer in Peru, a fisherman in the Phillipines, a farmer in Cambodia and two artisans in Peru and in Ecuador. These people require support to purchase materials, rent land and market their businesses. These are all fundamental activities to give them a chance.
HDPL Director Chris Howsam says “I have supported Lendwithcare for a good while now. In poorer countries there are no such opportunities like bank loans and large scale investors but the desire to be creative and build a business is certainly there. What might not seem like a great deal of money to us can make an enormous difference to those trying to start up a business in the third world. It’s great to be able to offer that support and that chance to these individuals and their families and say that we have contributed towards the help they need to change their lives”.
We would urge any of our industry partners to sign up and support the Lendwithcare initiative. Click here to find out more.