In the poor, rural areas of the world, people are more likely to have access to credit than to a savings account. And, accumulating debt does not help lift people out of poverty. But the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) brings credit union savings opportunities to people in these needy areas who have never before saved.

MatchSavings.org was launched in October 2008 by WOCCU and serves as a channel for donors to assist those who are challenged to save. The initiative helps people help themselves—to build stable families, communities, and local economies.

Here's how the program works:

1. "Savers" open their first savings account at WOCCU's partner credit unions and commit to a six-month savings goal toward housing, education, microbusiness, or health-care expenses.
2. "Givers" contribute a matching dollar amount to the savings area of their choice.
3. At the end of six months, savers receive their matching donation.

Visit www.matchsavings.org to learn more about the program, read savers' stories, and learn how to participate.

Portions of this article were derived from Home & Family Finance

Learn more about Dupaco. © Copyright 2009 Dupaco Community Credit Union