PROGRAM OVERVIEW
WHAT
Through our work, students can pay for tuition, women can start businesses, farmers are able to invest in equipment and families can afford needed emergency care.
WHERE
Africa, South America, Central America.
WHO
Unbanked communities in rural areas gain access to resources
WHY
We envision a financially inclusive world where all people hold the power to improve their lives.
VALUE OFFERING
We provide Peer - To - Peer loans vs. Crowdfunding
CROWDFUNDING
Often gives investors an equity stake in the project they back; they literally take ownership of part or all of the project. By contrast, peer-to-peer formats are considered a loan; the money will be repaid by the borrower, plus interest, but no shares are involved in the deal. This difference creates a third distinction.
IMPACT
Currently Herbal Allies has investment projects locally and globally. With one fully funded project in Mali and three other projects in Honduras, Sierra Leone, and Congo (DRC). Locally we have our own Farm project in Sacramento, CA and investments in Richmond, CA.
El Pedregal, Honduras - Fruit Trees & Flowers
In this group: Guillermo Antonio, Rosalba, Hector Armando, Lesli, Jose Justo.
The group has grown and diversified their product offerings and the number of members (51 members today), but still have limited access to financial resources to grow their business. This association and all of its members are key actors in protecting the biodiversity of the Natural Reserve of Uyuca. 140 species of birds and 80 species of mammals live safely in this reserve, under the watch of the families from El Pedregal who prevent deforestation and extinguish fires during summer. To continue their growth, 5 members of this association are seeking working capital loans to increase the capacity of production in their nurseries and meet the increasing demand.
We have the opportunity to help these members to increase capacity of their nursery garden production.
Mandawahun Village, Sierra Leone - Farming
In this group: Adama, Zainab, Adama, Fatmata, Isatu, Iye, Umu, Kadiatu, Mabinty, Abie, Marie, Umu, Adama, Marie, Abie.
Adama is a seasoned farmer whose rice farming business was hard hit during Sierra Leone's 2014-2017 Ebola crisis. She has since recovered her business very slowly due to predatory lending and a lack of access to financing. She has organized a large group of other women who, like her, are currently trapped in a cycle of subsistence and take extremely high-interest loans for poor-quality inputs during planting time. An investment will enable this group of determined women to throw off the shackles of predatory lending, expand and prosper. The financial freedom will empower these women to increase their local rice production and enhance food access in Sierra Leone at a time when this is badly needed.
We have the opportunity to help these members to pay for improved seed, organic inputs and tractor rental, which will allow this farmer to escape subsistence by farming a larger area with a higher yield.
IDJWI, Congo (DRC) - Agriculture
In this group: Willy, Adeline.
The loan that Willy has just finished repaying was beneficial to him, since he was not only able to increase his business but also to refurbish his home and take care of his family. He is requesting another loan to rent a field of pineapples, which he will sell after harvesting them. An investment will enable this group of determined women to throw off the shackles of predatory lending, expand and prosper. The financial freedom will empower these women to increase their local rice production and enhance food access in Sierra Leone at a time when this is badly needed.
We have the opportunity to help these members rent a field of pineapples to sell after harvesting.
CIWARA, Mali - Livestock
In this group: Maimouna, Sitan, Setou O, Setou Soumaila, Aoua, Marema, Nassou Biba.
She raises sheep and goats. She has practiced this business for 12 years. She purchases and sells her animals at the weekly markets in her area. The profits from the RMCR loan allow her to cover needs for healthcare, clothing, and her children's schooling. She would like to continue her partnership with RMCR until she is able to achieve financial independence.