In 2011, Trickle Up served 7,279 new participants, improving the quality of life for nearly 40,000 people. Of our participants, 98% are women and 14% are affected by disabilities. 

Our six definitions of success capture the transformational changes in participants’ lives and guide how we measure their progress as they take the first steps out of poverty:

Definition #1: Less Vulnerable to Shocks and Trends:

• 86% of participants in Mali increased their income after one year.
• In 2011, Guatemalan participants' gains in assets included a 233% increase in water/grain storage units, 128% increase in cell phones, and 100% in mills/grinders.
• Participating Guatemalan households reported doubling their consumption of protein-rich foods.

Definition #2: Livelihood Activities are Diversified, Dignified, Productive and Sustainable:

• In Mali, 93% reported expanding their business as compared to one year before.
• 66% of participants in India diversified their income by expanding into more than one livelihood activity.
• In Guatemala, 89% of participants report being satisfied with the success of their livelihoods after one year.

Definition #3: A Fair and Effective Means to Save and Access Credit:

• 100% of participants in India have savings versus 6% at the start of the program.
• In Mali, 81% took a loan with 92% using loans to create or grow their business.
• 54% of savings and credit groups in Mali created a "social fund" to support members during times of hardship.
• In Guatemala, more than 1/3 of participants took out a loan, with 92% of the loans put towards starting or growing a business.

Definition #4: Improved Access to Available Basic Social Services:

• In the past 18 months, 37% more participants in India are giving birth at health centers rather than at home, reducing maternal & child mortality.

Definition #5: A Better Quality of Life:

• Over the course of three years, 88% of participants in Mali report eating three meals per day.
• In Mali and Burkina Faso, 99% of participants report their lives have improved.
• Over 50% of participants in India have used their profits to invest in housing.
• Households in Guatemala report a decrease of insufficient food intake from 75% to 24%.

Definition #6: Significant Progress Towards Economic and Social Empowerment:

• Four times as many Guatemalan women no longer need to ask permission to make purchases.
• In Mali, 96% of women report participating in family decision-making.
• As of 2011, 89% of participating Indian women can sign their names versus 39% at the start of the program.