India

Opportunity’s microfinance institution (MFI) partners in India are currently empowering over 1.2 million families to create brighter futures– one in which they can afford to feed their families, send their children to school and afford medication and care when they fall ill.

Opportunity’s India program is currently at a turning point. In December 2011, the Reserve Bank of India formally accepted the proposed regulations, which will lead to a socially focused microfinance sector. Since October 2010, uncertainty in the sector has caused banks to reduce, and in some cases discontinue, funding to MFIs. Opportunity welcomes the recent change to regulations, which will create a microfinance sector which protects clients from unfair commercially driven lending practices.

Operating under difficult and unusual circumstances, our partners are continuing to provide desperately needed affordable financial services to people living in poverty in India. Recent focus has been on providing larger subsequent loans to existing clients, like Kamti (pictured), enabling them to expand their microbusinesses, increase their incomes and better provide for their families. To have a deeper impact on the lives of their clients and their families, our partners are also implementing a range of complementary services, including an innovative health education program and a subsidised day care service.

To learn more about Kamti, the current situation in the Indian microfinance sector, how we measure social impact and our complementary programs, read the full India Progress Report by clicking here.