Freedom from Hunger knows that poor women are best equipped to achieve lasting change when working-capital loans are delivered along with practical and relevant education. Earlier studies documented the benefits of health education on child nutrition, women's empowerment and family income. A two-year impact study recently concluded in Peru showed positive benefits to integrating business education into a microfinance program. The study, conducted in partnership with Dean Karlan of Yale University, Innovations for Poverty Action and FINCA Peru, showed that women who participate in business education were more likely to re-invest their profits, maintain records and make an innovation in their business as compared with groups of women who received only loans. In turn, education participants reported higher income. Education clients also steadied their income during months when sales normally dipped. That's important because, for the poor, slow months can mean less food, taking children out of school, or turning to expensive moneylenders. The study also showed that positive results for women translate into benefits for the local organization. FINCA Peru saw higher loan repayment rates and client retention among women who received education two indicators of sustainability and the institution's ability to maintain service for the poor over the long term.