In Malaita, Solomon Islands

Hello everybody, this is the second post of my (Nacho’s) Solomon´s adventure. SPBD has been offering financial services for unemployed women for the past 7 months now in Guadalcanal, the main island of the Solomon’s. My mission over the next 6 weeks is to find other provinces SPBD can expand its operations into – so I get the chance to travel around this amazing country. I am writing from Malaita, the second most important island and the most populated one. As you can see it is stunning!

The company’s objective is to empower women by offering a suite of financial services and training to help them create a better future for themselves and their families. SPBD offers credit to unemployed women that want to start a business when there are no job opportunities for them.

Savings is also very important. Clients are offered the possibility to save by making weekly deposits. Savings are highly valued as clients understand its ability to cover family emergencies and any money spent frivolously is a waste with so many productive opportunities available.
SPBD also offers life insurance. It is hard enough for a family to lose a loved one, but losing its income generating activities as well can be devastating. We cannot diminish the emotional suffering, so we try to minimize the financial impact.

In next week’s blog I will explain what I’ve learned on my travels so far.

Hey, somebody wants to wish you well and hopes to see you next week!