{"product_id":"grameen-foundation-usa-launch-a-business","title":"Launch A Business","description":"\u003ch4\u003eProblem\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore than one billion people are condemned to live on less than $1 per day. Such a crisis demands tangible solutions, and when put into practice on a wide scale, microfinance can help the poor escape poverty.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eThe Gift\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith $98, a woman can start a paper maché business and find the strength to recover from a personal tragedy.  Merlyn Francisco was always an industrious woman, becoming a successful fish vendor early in her marriage, but it wasn’t until her husband was diagnosed with cancer that she faced severe financial difficulties. He needed chemotherapy and after a prolonged battle with his disease, he passed away, leaving her with a pile of medical bills and no health insurance. Suddenly alone and believing there was no way out of her financial disaster, Merlyn was pushed into bankruptcy and fell into a deep depression for two years.  However, her determined nature prevailed, and after hearing about microfinance and a local microfinance institution called CARD, she eventually was able to take out a loan of PhP 5,000 (US $98). She contacted her old buyers and exporters and started a new paper maché business. She now has a reputation as a reliable, trustworthy vendor. Microfinance allowed Merlyn's indestructible spirit to reach new heights.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grameen Foundation USA","offers":[{"title":"Paper mache materials \/ https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/4701\/files\/nonprofit_logo_00291_00202.jpg","offer_id":31059425820754,"sku":"","price":98.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0270\/1705\/2242\/products\/Indonesia_Sept-Oct2007_021_cropped.jpg?v=1572361942","url":"https:\/\/sandbox-sicong-wang.myshopify.com\/products\/grameen-foundation-usa-launch-a-business","provider":"Sandbox - Sicong Wang","version":"1.0","type":"link"}