KIEDF launched the Microenterprise Initiative in 2006 to help low income, and unemployed populations create an independent income generating activity. The Initiative develops and implements programs throughout Israel supporting populations facing barriers to business training and financing on reasonable terms.

One of the three programs of the Initiative is SAWA. SAWA, together in Arabic, is a peer lending program based on the Grameen model of microfinance created by KIEDF in mid-2006. Loans of $500 to $2,500 are given through solidarity group methodology to women for the development of their businesses.

Loans are distributed by KIEDF's non-bank revolving loan fund at the Postal Bank and support a wide variety of businesses including small commerce, grocery stores, animal raising, hairdressing, sewing, day care etc.

Microfinance, provision of financial and technical services to the poor for the creation of income generating activities, is known throughout the world as the one of the most effective tool in combating poverty and empowering individuals since its creation in Bangladesh nearly 30 years ago.

SAWA is the only program in Israel implementing the solidarity group lending model of Grameen Bank.

KIEDF established SAWA with the goal of helping Israel's most challenged population create an independent income generating activities. We focused on Bedouin women of the Negev in the first three years of operation.

KIEDF has created a model which we are expanding to additional populations throughout the country including unemployed Jewish women, Ethiopian immigrants, orthodox Jewish women and additional Arab Israeli women.

With credit from SAWA, Assiya could start her own pita-bakery.