At Stara Microcredit, we support a large number of activities. We not only train groups on how to produce ‘everyday items’ but also engage in providing the basics in financial freedom—like bank checking and savings accounts—to managing startup capital for small business entrepreneurs. These programs and workshops focus on such skills as bookkeeping, cash-flow management, and technical or professional skills, like accounting.

Groups seeking help from Stara Microcredit are first required to take a basic money-management class. Lessons cover understanding interest rates, the concept of cash flow, how financing agreements and savings accounts work, how to budget, and how to manage debt. On top of money matters, at Stara, we also train in production of ‘everyday items’ like bath soap, charcoal briquettes, all-purpose liquid soap, baked goods, bottled juice, among others.

Following this workshop, then your group is eligible to apply for financing. Just like the traditional banks, one of our loan officers will help you with applications. They will walk you through the entire process, until loan approval. The amounts one is entitled to is dependent on the business the group engages in, their income generation, and income projections. All these will be calculated together with the loan officer.