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A quick survey of how people live around the globe reveals a glaring – and growing – gap in income. One of the most promising modern solutions to poverty is called microcredit, which provides small loans to the world's poorest entrepreneurs. This issue focuses on Uniendo América, a microcredit program operated by Rotarians in Honduras that has already helped 1,000 poor business-owners, like Mariana Ponce. Watch her story.

Fast facts about microcredit

Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi economist, pioneered the idea of microcredit loans and created the Grameen Bank. Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
In Rotary, microcredit goes by the term revolving loans. Funds can be set up in a variety of ways. Find more information in the Revolving Loan Fund Guide.

A new Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit was approved this year. Learn how you can help them get started.
RI President Wilf Wilkinson has set up a Microcredit Advisory Committee. Consult the World Community Service Projects Exchange database for examples of proven efforts involving microcredit.

Peace and Conflict Studies
Leaders building peace

PolioPlus
Leading the fight against polio

2008 LA
2008 RI Convention in Los Angeles