Half of the world's citizens struggle to survive on less than $2 per day. Without enough income, these people have poorer nutrition and health care. For children in these families, going to school is often an unattainable dream.

One proven approach to helping the world's poor escape chronic poverty is microfinance.  Microfinance is pretty simple.  It gives poor people the financial resources -- like loans, savings and insurance -- that they need to run a business and better provide for their families. These very small businesses are important sources of employment, income and opportunity in developing countries.

Microfinance taps into the skills and creativity of hard-working people. It helps them feed, clothe and educate their children and weather crises like illness, injury or natural disasters.

Thousands of people in developing countries have benefited from microfinance programs, but millions more need that same chance.  Tell Secretary Clinton to support microfinance programs to fight world poverty.