What is ADC Microfinance?

​ADC Microfinance started in 2008. We went to Myanmar and we came across a beautiful community there. They had the ideas, the entrepreneurial spirit – but they didn’t have access to capital. It started off with a group of is getting together and meeting and talking about this.

We were all students and essentially, we started putting some money aside to send over to Myanmar, and it’s grown from there. From very humble beginnings with a relatively small amount of money, we were able to grow this organisation overseas to have significant impact.

The most powerful thing is seeing what happens at a generational level – so children seeing their mothers be empowered, set up their own ​business, generate their own income and support their family. It’s the impact it has on their family, the confidence in themselves and their overarching sense of empowerment. These business owners get a loan which they then repay, which gets loaned out again, and gets repaid so it’s a really sustainable way to contribute.

ADC Microfinance means hope and opportunities for people in countries where hope and opportunities are hard to come by. It gives people a new lease on life; employment, encouragement, empowerment, and enrichment. With a very small amount of money, we can help a whole community, making a difference little bit by little bit. Distance is no excuse for us getting out there and addressing global issues. Microfinance has such an amazing ability to change to many lives. It’s a really exciting thing to be a part of.

What is Microfinance and what impact does it have?

​When you give somebody a dollar, that is the end of the dollar. But if you give that to somebody who is able to start a business, they can repay that dollar and you can recycle it and give it to many, many more businesses. That’s the power of microfinance. Microfinance is important because it’s a tool of development and empowerment.

When you physically go to Myanmar and talk the entrepreneurs you are supporting and enabling though the charitable work we’re doing, it’s huge.

​Its hard not to be inspired by the clients and what they’re doing with these funds and how they’re able to take a relatively small amount of money and turn that into a sustainable business that supports them and their families and the wider community. It's all about creating that mass amount of impact and empowerment in people who are truly deserving of it.

Why should I consider supporting ADC Microfinance?

“I choose to support ADC Microfinance because it’s a really sustainable way for us to contribute. They’re starting businesses that are transforming lives and how could I not be a part of that?!”

“Helping someone to help themselves is way more aligned with what we do. It’s amazing what you can do with small change or your small daily actions.”
“For a very small amount of money you can significantly change others people’s lives."​

​How can I get involved with ADC Microfinance?

​Support us! Come to our events, get involved. A real tangible and sustainable way to have an impact is through donation dollars.
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Any donation you give will be recycled again and again and has the potential to lift so many people out of poverty.

​What is the NZD amount to fund a loan and empower someone to start a business?

A $200 loan can help start up a business and transform a family.
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“A $200 loan, which is what ADC Microfinance provides, is the price of a concert ticket to us and that really puts it into perspective how we can help them.”

Why are the funds donated overseas?

“I know that when I put my money into ADC Microfinance, it’s having a massive impact on someone else’s life.”

Just because something isn’t happening in our backyard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about it and doesn’t mean it’s not important. Distance is no excuse for us getting out there and addressing global issues.

How many people is ADC supporting through their microfinance institutions? 

Currently out partner project in Myanmar has 8,000 clients and a repayment rate of 98%. 86% of all clients are women.