Lendwithcare
Small loans, big change — Rotary's microfinance partnership with CARE International UK.
Lendwithcare is a microfinance initiative of CARE International UK that allows individuals, clubs and groups to make small loans — from as little as £15 — to entrepreneurs in low-income countries, helping them start or grow a small business, support their families, and work their way out of poverty with dignity.
Unlike a donation, a loan is repaid. When it comes back, the lender can choose to recycle it to another entrepreneur, extending the impact again and again. 100% of the loaned money reaches the entrepreneur.
Where the loans go
Lendwithcare works through carefully vetted local microfinance institutions and social enterprises in countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America — currently including Cambodia, Ecuador, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Rwanda, Vietnam and Zambia, among others.
Partners are chosen for their social mission as much as their financial performance, and are required to adhere to a consumer protection code covering fair interest rates, transparency and ethical lending.
Rotary’s relationship with Lendwithcare
The Rotary–Lendwithcare partnership goes back to 2011. Clubs across Great Britain and Ireland have together loaned well over £1 million to farmers, tailors, market traders, food producers and small manufacturers.
Because loans are repaid and relent, the real reach of that money is far greater than the headline figure suggests.
How clubs in our district participate
Within our district, participating clubs lend under their own club names, choosing entrepreneurs whose work reflects their members’ interests and priorities — whether that is women-led businesses, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, or young entrepreneurs building a future for their families.
The model sits naturally within Rotary’s focus on economic and community development, and it is a clear, transparent example of how modest sums raised locally can create lasting change internationally.
Curious about this project?
The fastest way to get involved with any Rotary project in Ireland is to find your local club and ask. They’ll tell you what’s happening locally, and how to lend a hand.