New members may join the village bank at any time. Usually new members have a sponsor, who is one of the current members of the village bank. The sponsor vouches for the new member’s character and explains to her how the village bank works. If the new member cannot read or write, the sponsor might help her or find her a volunteer teacher. This is why some village banks like to admit new members at the beginning of a cycle. That way, all the new members can learn to read in a group and study the Women in Business manuals.
