Changing a life with a loan by Vashti Richards

Inspired by the difficulties faced by Deki Dolkha, a Tibetan refugee her father had sponsored, Vashti devised a system for enabling person-to-person microfinancing while on a summer holiday from her degree study.

The idea was supported by the University of the West of England and the not-for-profit organisation, named Deki, went live in July 2009. Deki currently provides financing to people in Ghana and Nepal through a network of local agents.

Read more about Vashti's and Deki's stories here.