Local group promotes Microcredit

from CKNW

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - A new BC-based non-profit organization has been formed to help decrease global poverty.

The group, Agents for Change, has launched its campaign to raise funds for microcredit initiatives around the world.

Group organizer Shawn Smith says microcredit is providing small trust-based loans to individuals in developing countries to help pull themselves, their families and communities out of poverty, "On a societal level, if you have enough people to get these little businesses going, you build up an economy internally and they all self-support and mutually support each other. All they need is a start. They just need a little bit of faith to get things rolling."

The group has announced that a 3000km cycling trip from Vancouver to Mexico is planned to help raise funds for their cause.