Microcredits Sound Great. So Why Don’t We Offer Them?

Sandino Scheidegger

When talking about poverty alleviation, we’re often asked: “What about microcredits?” It’s a good question. Microcredits once inspired global hope as a revolutionary solution to poverty. But the reality has proven more complicated, and the initial promise has dimmed. In this article, we’ll explain why we chose a different approach.

1% — Because Doing Something Beats Doing Nothing

Sandino Scheidegger

We know we could do more. We read headlines about hunger, poverty, and deep inequality. We hear staggering numbers—millions living on less than two dollars a day. Even a small contribution from us can meaningfully improve someone’s life. Yet, we pause. Not from lack of caring, but from uncertainty: Where do we start? Will our contribution really matter? Too often, hesitation becomes our way of quieting the guilt of doing nothing.