Twenty-two Cents: Muhammad Yunus and the Village Bank

"Twenty-two Cents: Muhammad Yunus and the Village Bank" chronicles the compelling journey of Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who transformed the fight against global poverty with his groundbreaking idea of micro-lending. Growing up in Bangladesh, Yunus was moved by the pervasive poverty and resolved to tackle it head-on. His encounter with a struggling craftswoman, who needed just twenty-two cents to escape the clutches of predatory lending, led to the creation of the Grameen Bank. This institution empowered the poor, especially women, to start businesses with small, manageable loans, fostering economic justice and gender equality. Since its inception, Grameen Bank has dispersed billions in micro-credit, significantly altering the lives of millions. Published on April 3, 2018, this inspiring narrative is not only a testament to Yunus’s visionary approach but also an engaging resource for elementary school readers exploring concepts of economic innovation and social change.