The need

• Lack of access to capital:

  Attempts by WCFJC's target population to access bank loans are frustrating. A 2000 study tour conducted by principal officers of Africa's leading micro credit institutions found that existing micro credit institutions are not structured to support low-income borrowers, who lack collateral and high interest loan repayment capacity. Instead, micro credit loan programs are designed for the needs of urban and peri-urban enterprises, effectively excluding the vast majority of rural low-income women.
  
  Lack of property ownership excludes women from leveraging the banking system for loan facilities. It further causes women-ran income generating activities to be conducted on "hired" or "borrowed" land.

• Lack of access to markets:

  WCFJC's target population lacks the ability to identify, access and penetrate new markets. Low-income women remain at the mercy of exploitative middlemen who are the real beneficiaries of Uganda's fast growing export earnings: +15% in 2002/2003 (Uganda Budget).

• Lack of relevant training:

  Micro credit institutions consistently report poor borrower skills and training as a major obstacle to success. Credit-related training and project relevant training tend to be mutually exclusive. No agency currently provides both. Loan beneficiaries lack project training and training beneficiaries lack credit related training.