This loan is part of a pilot project Apoyo Integral is launching in conjunction with several local NGOs to support at-risk youth and their families with funding from Kiva. This loan product is tailored to young people who find themselves in a vulnerable situation due to the lack of access to eduation and a decent job. Moreover they are in high-risk situations because they are located in areas affected by extreme violence. Loans are combined with vocational, technical, and financial training to help these young people develop business ideas that will help them generate income, reintegrate into society, and support their dreams of being productive and contributing members of society.
Due to potential safety risks facing these youth, some of the loans are being disbursed to their parents in order to protect their identities. For the same reason, the faces of some Apoyo Integral borrowers may be blurred in photos. Apoyo Integral appreciates Kiva lenders' understanding of these challenges and encourages them to provide much-needed support to at-risk Salvadoran youth.
About Apoyo Integral:
Apoyo Integral (Apoyo) is a nonprofit organization offering financial products that enable clients to increase their working capital, purchase fixed assets, buy and remodel homes, expand agricultural business and more. The organization?s target group is businessmen and women who have already established their businesses but need financial support to strengthen or expand them.
Like Kiva, Apoyo is committed to empowering women involved in business activities in rural areas. Kiva lenders? funds will be used to expand these services to an even greater number of poor clients in rural areas.