A CARE microfinance beneficiary in Togo. © CARE / Dan White.

We are dedicated to helping people transform their own lives. And we think microfinance is the ideal way to do it.

Working with global organisations, local microfinance institutions (MFIs) and poor people directly, we provide much-needed access to basic financial services and entrepreneurial training.

This helps entrepreneurs start and develop their own businesses - and build a better future for themselves and their families.

Our track record in microfinance is unprecedented. CARE International pioneered a methodology called Village Savings and Loans Associates (VS&L), which offers savings and credit services to communities without banks or MFIs.

Pioneered in Niger, this life-changing scheme has spread to 20 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, and reached over one million people.

We believe that the real potential of microfinance is still to be realised. Most of the world’s poorest people still have no access to basic financial services – and little hope of lifting themselves out of poverty.

That’s why we set up lendwithcare.org.

Lendwithcare allows individuals in the developed world to connect with entrepreneurs in the developing world who need a small loan to start a business.

Not only do you get a chance to change somebody’s life and really see the difference you are making, your loan is repaid and you can either withdraw it, or make a loan to another entrepreneur.

To start lending from as little as £15 visit the lendwithcare.org website.