Virtual Tours Ghana

Is a picture worth a thousand words? Decide for yourself. Visit our photo gallery--and meet the amazing women of Ghana. A picture may be the only way to convey the sense of fun and friendship the women experience during their weekly Credit with Education meetings.

Ghana Photo Gallery

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Although field agents are often men, participants are almost exclusively women. Because of the loan amounts, repayment schedule and education topics, men are rarely interested in participating.Weekly gatherings are often joyful events for Credit with Education participants. Women tell us they look forward to their meetings and feel proud of their accomplishments.Impact studies conducted in Ghana documented significant gains in women’s knowledge and self-confidence. Like this woman, ninety percent of women say they know their incomes have “increased greatly” since they had joined Credit with Education.Before women had access to credit as they do in Credit with Education, they were often dependent on moneylenders for loans. Moneylenders, however, often charge one to five hundred percent over the course of a month. Without access to affordable credit, women can fall into a debt trap that keeps them poor.Women generally bring their children with them to the market where they can sell their products and keep an eye on their kids.This field agent checks weekly ledgers that record loan repayments and savings deposits. She performs a final accounting of all transactions but the women themselves are ultimately responsible for loan repayment and traveling.In this semi-urban area, along the edge of the capital city of Accra, there is ample access to bustling marketplaces. Women often travel long distances from rural areas to access these markets.Businesses are usually family affairs. As soon as children are old enough to help they do. Education is a priority, but as soon as school is over, children join their mothers at the marketplace.Ghana’s average per capita income is $2,200 and there is approximately one doctor for every 26,028 people. In spite of Ghana’s poverty, Ghanaians are hopeful about the future. They are ready to make the most of every opportunity that could bring a better future for children such as these.Young girls like this are often required to work for their families instead of going to school. Mothers who participate in Credit with Education say that one of their primary goals is to earn enough money to send their daughters to school.In Ghana one in 10 Children die before the age of five, as compared with one in 100 children in the United States. Malaria is one of the major threats to child life. For this reason, women were so eager to participate in our Malaria Initiative.The most common moneymaking activity for women is Ghana (and in most other Credit with Education countries) is selling food at market. In learning sessions women learn how to display their products attractively, how to analyze their markets to set good prices and even how to add value to their products.The bond that is formed in group settings builds more than friendships. Women encourage each other to repay their loans faithfully, to work hard at their home-based businesses and, most importantly, to adopt new practices that safeguard their families health and improve nutrition.This participant’s pride is evident as she reviews the progress documented in her passbook. She can review her loan amounts, repayments, interest rates and savings deposits. Passbooks are considered “treasures” and are kept long after they have been filled with entries.The interest women pay on their loans is a critical part of the program’s success. Because women “pay their own way”, each Credit with Education program can become locally sustainable with out the need for external subsidies.Although Credit with Education is targeted to mothers of young children, women of all ages are invited to participate. Grandmothers wield particular influence and their encouragement to adopt lifesaving behaviors can be critical in the minds of young women.Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, disease and, sadly, death. But, when their mothers participate in Credit with Education, we have documented significant improvements in their health and nutrition.Women often travel significant distances to sell their products at good markets. By bike, bus, or foot, they must carry their goods and hope their efforts will pay off in much needed income.Because Ghana has a substantial coastline, fish is a dietary staple. Women often buy fish in bulk along the seaside, preserve it by smoking it and selling it later at market.Fuel is scarce in Ghana so firewood is still the primary source of fuel for cooking. Women gather or buy firewood at market and carry it home in this traditional manner.