The Rotary Club of Kandy in District 3220 - Sri Lanka blazed a new trail in micro lending through Rotary Initially a matching grant supported by Rotary Foundation and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Singapore in District 3310 was activated as a pilot project which was a resounding success. Thereafter a more ambitious 3H Grant (98-11) programme was obtained in a total project budget of US$ 100,000 to promote micro lending in a more meaningful and widespread manner, again supported by the Rotary Club of Singapore and Rotary Foundation.An unique aspect of the programme was that Rotarians, inner Wheelers, Rotaractors , Rotary Clubs and other persons connected to the Rotary movement serve as mentors or guardians to the recipients to make sure that as far as possible these recipients succeed in their small micro projects. There were many instances where such mentors/guardians arranged to provide a market for the products, provided advise in better managing the businesses as well as in accounting and bookkeeping etc. The results are phenomenal and todate over 847 individuals have benefited by way of micro loans aggregating to Rs. Rs.29.7 Mln. even though the original project capital was only approx. Rs. 7 Mln. – a 400% revolving utilization of the original loan fund. Taking into account the families of the beneficiaries, it could be assumed that over 4,000 persons have improved their quality of life and are able to "stand on their own" directly as a result of Rotary's micro lending programme.
