Honduras

AHSETFIN is a microfinance institution (MFI) in Honduras. GP invested in AHSETFIN because they provide clients working capital loans primarily through the village bank, with 100% of clients receiving basic financial literacy sessions upon loan disbursement, as well as refresher sessions when they renew their loans. Most of their clients are women, many of whom live under $3.20 per person per day. In addition, AHSETFIN offers monthly workshops at each of its offices on topics chosen to help clients generate additional income (baking, making piñatas, etc.).

The Human Development Institute (IDH) is a Honduran microfinance institution that provides working capital loans to predominantly rural borrowers using a group lending methodology. The organization was founded in 1979 by a Christian group looking to provide business training opportunities for microentrepreneurs in some of the poorest regions of the country.

IDH stands out from its peers because of its focus on predominantly women living in rural poverty and its use of the microfinance platform to deliver education and health services. Education sessions are delivered during monthly credit meetings and are taught by cross trained loan officers. The low-cost model also serves as an effective channel to promote annual health campaigns that are offered via partnerships with local and international organizations.

In addition to face-to-face training IDH has introduced radio spots and videos to motivate and reinforce educational messages. Videos are shown during group meetings and radio spots provide tips about budgeting, marketing, credit and savings. In a dynamic market with constantly evolving needs, these innovations demonstrate IDH’s commitment to delivering relevant and impactful educational services.

PILARH OPDF (PILARH) is a Honduran microfinance institution and a partner within GP’s Rural-Centered Finance with Education initiative. PILARH serves mainly low-income, rural micro-entrepreneurs who do not have access to formal banking services. PILARH finances productive activities for rural agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises, offering working capital loans through both the individual and group lending methodologies. PILARH also works with partner NGOs to provide workshops on financial education and agricultural topics to a subset of its clients. Access to working capital loans and related education enables PILARH’s clients to make more informed decisions, better deal with shocks, and sustain and eventually grow investment in productive activities, resulting in improved economic resilience and food security for rural households.