TA small business woman who started her shop with help from a CARE supported microfinance scheme. © Audree Montpetit / CAREhis past weekend has been a positive time for CARE International's microfinance work, which has received a swath of recognition in the UK national press.

Helping the poor to save: Small wonder, an article in The Economist, describes in glowing terms the spread of CARE's Village Savings and Loans model of microfinance, which enables very poor people to save together in a group of 15-30. The members of the group can then take out small loans from the fund for investment in a business set up, say, or to improve their home. They also contribute to a social fund which acts as micro-insurance at times of crisis such as an illness in the family.

Articles in The Independent and The Guardian say how a £15 lendwithcare.org gift voucher could help an entrepreneur in a developing country get on their feet and improve the lives of themselves and their family this Christmas.

Lendwithcare allows people in the UK to make small loans directly to individuals in developing countries to help them start or expand their own business, helping them feed their families and send their children to school.

Visit lendwithcare.org and make a loan to an entrepreneur - from as little as £15.