MicroLoan Foundation supports women facing poverty in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to build businesses, and by extension, a better life for their families.

With small loans, business training and mentoring, women can flourish as entrepreneurs running sustainable, small businesses such as grocery stores, hairdressing salons or farms. As they generate a steady income, they become financially independent and can afford a safe home, healthcare, nutritious food and an education for their children.

We run campaigns with celebrities, influencers and friends of the charity in order to raise awareness and raise funds to support the vital work we do.

World Food Day 2022: Dig In Women

We asked chefs, farmers, foodies, and friends to take on our ‘Spice Up Your Rice’ challenge for World Food Day 2022. With special thanks to Daniel Lee from Masterchef Pros for getting involved by cooking a rice-based meal, using other ingredients that are rich in nutrients, like vegetables, meat, or beans. Daniel, and others, encouraged supporters to donate the cost of their dinner to support women in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to feed their families.

Jeurgen from the Great British Bake Off also shared an amazing potato fritter recipe in order to raise awareness for our mission to reach Zero Hunger this World Food Day.

Click here to see campaign highlights

International Women’s Day 2022

We celebrated inspiring role models, sparked important conversations and supported women facing poverty to build a better future for their families for International Women’s Day 2022.

When Women Lead celebrated phenomenal role models in business, both in MicroLoan’s network in sub-Saharan Africa and internationally.

We collected quotes and selfies from more than 60 trailblazing women leaders to share across social media. The quotes were a short piece of advice to business leaders of tomorrow or perhaps a key learning which helped them get to where they are today. It was an inspiring collection! Just look at what we can achieve when women lead.

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World Food Day 2021

World Food Day highlights the world’s commitment to Zero Hunger by 2030 and mobilises us to take action for those who suffer from hunger. We raised funds for female farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, and awareness for the struggles they face.

Dig In Women spread the word on social media, as friends of the charity came together to donate the cost of their dinner. We had support from Fearne Cotton, Angellica Bell, Adam Henson, Zoe Colville and Jane Beedle, to name a few!

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International Women’s Day 2021

Our International Women’s Day campaign 2021 called #CelebrateNominateDonate was a huge success thanks to TV and film star Nathalie Emmanuel. In the first week of March, for International Women’s Day, we encouraged you to celebrate the person you are today by looking back at where you came from and who inspired you along the way. The campaign reached over 70,000 people with a fundraising ask of just £5. A huge thanks goes to everyone who donated and spread the word about our mission this International Women’s Day.

Click here to see campaign highlights

BBC Radio 4 Appeal 2020

Our #R4Appeal aired last month, presented by the wonderful Angellica Bell. Angellica has been a BBC TV and Radio presenter for many years, and also cooked her way to victory on the 2017 series of Celebrity MasterChef. Angellica currently presents the Martin Lewis Money Show, and stands with MicroLoan on our women’s empowerment mission.

During the BBC appeal in November, Angellica told you the story of Mary who opened a grocery store after taking out a loan and attending business training with MicroLoan.

Mary no longer needed to worry where her next meal would come from and she could afford to send her children to a nearby school. Mary was able to rewrite her future for herself and her family

BBC Lifeline Appeal 2015

In 2015 Deborah Meadan visited Malawi with MicroLoan Foundation to gain a better insight into how we are supporting women start businesses and lift their families out of poverty.

Watch the campaign video here