28/01/2026
Rural financing especially for women is a critical issue that intersects economic development, gender equity and poverty reduction.
Women in rural areas face distinct barriers to accessing finance, these include lack of collateral (since most women don't own land or property in their own names to use as collateral), limited financial literacy, cultural restrictions on mobility and economic participation and bias from financial institutions. Many rural women work in the informal economy, small scale farming, livestock and crafts which makes them appear risky to traditional lenders despite often having excellent repayment rates.
The above brief analysis is the reason why Gertrude Memorial Community Relief, a community based grassroot non profit organization that champions health, education and social economic development that was founded in memory of Mama Gertrude is bringing this initiative to help rural women, the Gertrude Memorial Rural Finance Initiative.
It matters so much because when women access finance, the benefits multiply throughout communities. Research consistently shows that women invest heavily in their children's Education, Nutrition and Health. They tend to use these small loans productively, have strong repayment records and reinvest these profits back into their households and businesses, this also economically empowers them to gain decision making power within their families and communities.
Dear friends, this isn't an easy journey at all but with God, Gertrude will shine, from Health, Education and now Finance as a social Economic Development Project.
Attached is the official logo, Building Plan (already started construction) and will be open in a few months, God willing.
