Local Entrepreneurs Expand Microfinance Access in Rural Ghana

Lumana, a microfinance non-profit founded by UW Husky Samantha Rayner, is now serving over 200 clients in rural Ghana. This week, the organization, which is run by a half-dozen recent University of Washington graduates, secured a coveted spot on the largest online donor network in the world: Global Giving. Lumana earned their spot in the multi-million dollar network by raising over $5,000 from more than 80 unique donors in a month.

Lumana’s unique model emphasizes on-the-ground business training, savings planning and empowering local leaders, practices that have gained them praise from groups such as the Microfinance Club of New York and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Lumana’s effort to accelerate small business growth in Ghana is fueled by a team of talented college graduates who are given an opportunity to affect change globally. Working with Lumana, young professionals learn about entrepreneurship and problem solving first hand in Ghana. Lumana’s adaptive volunteer base allows them to maintain a constant presence in the villages they serve, ensuring a strong, relationship-based microlending and business training program.

About Lumana
Samantha Rayner founded Lumana in the Summer of 2008 in Atorkor, Ghana by launching a pilot microcredit program for 30 small businesses funded through a small fundraiser held in north Spokane. In just over a year since their launch, Lumana has invested over $60,000 in loans and worked with 230 clients. The team uses innovative mobile data collection tools in the field to measure impact and help attract non-profit infrastructure to the region. See Lumana’s website and Lumana in the Press for more information.

Members of the press are invited to attend the annual fall benefit for Lumana at Salty’s on Alki Thursday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. Keynote from Senior Agriculture Advisor to the Gates Foundation, and Founder of Cascadian Farm, Gene Kahn, will take place at 8:30pm followed by a brief presentation about Lumana by Rayner. Event is free for press if you RSVP. If you’re interested in attending, or have any questions, please contact Helena Bottemiller at helena.bottemiller@gmail.com.