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Anh Chi Em (ACE), meaning “Brothers and Sisters” in Vietnamese, is a Microfinance Program created by a Frech Non-Governmental Organization, Entrepreneurs du Monde, that supports vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups in the severely underserved districts of Dien Bien and Muong Ang in Northern Vietnam. By providing remote and rural populations with access to financial services, technical trainings and social programs,, ACE aims to empower communities to improve their own living conditions.
 
Launched in 2007 by the French non-profit Entrepreneurs du Monde, ACE focuses in particular on the financial inclusion of women from marginalized ethnicities and individuals affected by socio economic issue and health problem like AIDS. Most clients work in small scale agricultural and animal husbandry. Currently, the organization serves over 3,700 active borrowers located across 14 communes, with an eye to expand its outreach in 2014. 
 
 
 
ACE offers two flexible loan products, alongside a voluntary and compulsory savings services. The amortizing and bullet loans provide borrowers with key capital at an yearly interest rate of 18%, compared to the national averages of 23.01%. The savings product pays clients 6% returns on their savings per annum.
 
Beyond its financial products, ACE offers various community development services, including business, social and agricultural trainings, advice/counselling appointments, and home visits. Through partnerships with local agricultural experts and foreign NGOs, such as Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières, the organization aims to bring new and efficient farming practices to the region.
 
ACE also facilitates educational programs on topics including HIV/AIDS prevention, nutrition, hygiene and waste management. In 2012, over 9,500 clients attended the business, social and agriculture training organised by the socio-economic team.  
 

 
A unique lending approach:
 
Anh Chi Em is currently scaling its operations and plans to expand its services into other communes of existing district and into a new district in 2014. To date, ACE’s low interest rates and community-focused services have prevented the organization from becoming financially sustainable and self-scaling. This partnership is critical in supporting the growth of an organization that provides unrelenting support to underserved and marginalized populations in Northern Vietnam.  Kiva lender’s funds are used to provide more loans to borrowers.