The Newcomers
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E110: Windmill Microlending helped 14K+ immigrants get back to work. They want to do more
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E110: Windmill Microlending helped 14K+ immigrants get back to work. They want to do more

"We're not saving immigrants. Immigrants don't need saving."
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In this episode, I'm speaking with Robert Ndoping and Oumar Dicko of Windmill Microlending, Canada.

When Robert and Oumar tell you that Windmill has funded over 14,000 skilled immigrants to get re-credentialed in their professions, with an average loan size of $10,183, totaling nearly $146 million in approved loans, and a repayment rate of 95%…

You'll probably go, ‘Wow, that's impressive.’

When you hear the story of the ENT surgeon driving Uber in Toronto while kids wait months for surgery, you realize that it isn't just impressive, it's necessary.

There are a lot of things Canada does right about immigrant settlement. But there are also a lot of areas in which we could do better. The skilled immigrant credential recognition is one of those areas.

And Windmill Microlending is proof that Canada wins when we make sure skilled immigrants can contribute to the economy as fast as possible. Because for every 10,000 clients Windmill empowers, an additional $3.6 billion in lifetime tax revenue is generated for Canada.

In this conversation, Oumar, Robert, and I chat about Windmill Microlending’s loan model. We also explore:

  • Walking the talk when it comes to skilled immigrant settlement

  • Why the work is personal for both of them

  • The human impact of their work

  • Why we need to move the immigrant conversation from “immigrant struggling” to “untapped potential”

  • Why immigrants don’t need saving

Official Links

✅ Connect with Robert Ndoping on LinkedIn

✅ Connect with Oumar Dicko on LinkedIn

✅ Read Windmill’s Impact Report

WINDMILL MICROLENDING IMPACT REPORT 2024
6.65MB ∙ PDF file
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If you found this story helpful, please forward or share it to one immigrant out there.

Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.

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