Berekum, Ghana

Currently there are 19 poor entrepreneurs, men and women aged between 23 and 46 years, united in this "Trustbank", who have been classified as not creditworthy by national banks.

The members of the Good News Trustbank all live in Berekum. They are men and women who have to work hard to support their families in keeping their small businesses running. They heard about this micro-loan-offering-programm of the Sinapi Aba Trust through acquaintances and family members who had already been provided small loans or who had heard about this possibility by a third party. Some could also gather information on this loan-providing-programm through a local radio station broadcast.  

Most members have a small business on the main market of Berekum, where they sell fabrics, plain jewelry, food (primarily jam, bakery products, rice and plantains) and small pieces of equipment.
After receiving basic training in business management during a six-week orientation period they have been accepted as official members of the Good News Trust Bank.

The members of this new Trust Bank have been approved a first micro-loan of  ¢2.000.000 (€168) each. They invested this money mainly in stocks, so they could offer a bigger and broader range of goods thus being able to sell more. Without exception, all members reported that these loans would help them to increase their sales and make a higher profit.  Furthermore all stated that they do not have the problem of obtaining money for new goods anymore, as they already have their own capital. They are very pleased to practice day-to-day business now that they are completely independent of other investors.