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Statement No. 127/128
Our
centre meetings have now been resumed after a long, bitter,
cold winter. The power problem is still there. We all were
tense offering special prayers, because we were concerned
about centre discipline and repayment of loans. We were relieved
to find that the centre meetings and repayment of loans. were
on time. We did not face any problem in recovery, attendance
and utilization of loans. As the borrowers paid double instalments,
so the total recovery in this month was Euro 299,872 and savings
amounted to Euro 8,768.
Total
disbursements were Euro 118,100 this month. Because of double
instalments and lack of new members, our branches financed
their loans from their own collection money.
Nowadays
we are facing a problem with fake notes, specially Euro 50
notes. Since we make large collections these days, sometimes
it is hard to detect the forged notes (i.e. from which centre
and from which member it has come). Once a fake note is detected
at MEB,
which
is our servicing bank, they keep detailed records of it, i.e.
from whom it has come, name with telephone number and address
of that person. Later they send this information to police.
We feel a bit tense because of the situation.
There are also occasional robberies in the area. As we are
dealing with cash, we are always concerned about safe return
of our colleagues and transfer of cash from centre meetings
to branch and then MEB. Recently one bank robbery occurred
in the municipality of Gllogovs under Prishtina Branch where
we have in total 24 centers. Euro 70,000 was robbed from a
private bank in Gllogovs in broad daylight.
We feel
somewhat insecure because of these incidents.
Though
we try our best to conduct our project activities as efficiently
as possible, sometimes we find that the risk and tensions
are more in a foreign country than the job at home. We are
trying to increase our interest rate from current 6% to 20%
step by step, to make our operations more sustainable. We
have already started a dialogue with our members. But immediate
response is not positive. In Prizren and Peje branches,
we raised
the matter in center meeting and our members said that they
may not take any new loan after June 2003, because of the
increased interest rate. Some are requesting respective branch
managers whether it would be possible to give them money before
June, 2003, so that they may take advantage of current 6%
interest rate. We are observing the situation and trying to
motivate them. But this is a big challenge ahead of us.
Another
challenge in front of us is the issue of transfer of our project
to local people. We are going to start first with Peje branch
as the branch manager is returning to Bangladesh in May. So
the year 2003 has started with altogether new challenges and
how we meet them will decide the issue of survival and existence
of KGMAMF Project in Kosovo.
Jannat-E-Quanine
Project Director
Kosovo Grameen-Missione Arcobaleno Microcredit Fund (KGMAMF)
Project Office, 154, Marshall Tito Road No. 122, Peje. Kosovo
E-mail: kgmpeje@yahoo.com
February 28, 2003
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| My name
is Maria Juliana Castino and I work as a volunteer in a Grameen
replication in the city of Mendoza.
In 1999,
I was in bed, terribly ill and faced death due to a serious
illness. I could not move much and my child could not even
hug me or kiss me because of my spine. I could only watch
television and read or sleep.
I put
on the TV and I saw a documentary regarding Grameen. I can
still remember the emotion I felt. I knew that I had found
the way to contribute with the strong service orientation
I had. I knew that if I recovered, I would one day work in
your organization.
At that
moment I was taken to Buenos Aires by my family and treated
for my illness. When I returned to Mendoza, I searched for
Grameen, but up to that moment, there were no replicas.
One day
I saw a big sign advertising Grameen. I went to a mall by
chance and I saw Grameen people. I applied as a volunteer
and when they called me for the first meeting. I realized
that the director of this replication was no other but Monica
Pescarmona, a person quite close to my family. Maria Landa,
the vice president, is also the consul from Mexico. All very
strange! And such a perfect circle.
And there
I was, Grameen kind of found me. At the moment I am working
as a translator, and grant seeker for the foundation. I am
a single mother and have very little income. But, this is
giving me a sense to live.
M.
Juliana Castino
Mendoza, Argentina
E-mail : julianacast@yahoo.com
November 6, 2002
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In
your comments on Grameen II, you say: Staff energy level is
at the peak. Every time you talk to them they appear as if
they are having the biggest fun of their lives, working for
Grameen. One feature that really caught their imagination
is the idea of creating five star branches. Each staff wants
to create his/her own five star branch.
You caught
my imagination as well, with those words. You are saying something
I have come to believe more strongly over the years. Something
that, so far, I have seen best explained by Aubrey Daniels
in his book Performance Management. Daniels and his people
have been perfecting methods that increase people's motivation.
These methods are very much like your "stars for branches"
and staff members who meet the goals for their centers. Much
like the continuous monitoring you recommend for national
poverty reduction plan.
Daniels
started out with a "bird's eye view" of motivation
in academic psychology. But for the last 30 or so years he
and his people have been refining a "worm's eye view",
working person by person, in company after company. What he
has accomplished by taking the worm's eye view of motivation
amazes me, though not nearly as much as what you have accomplished
in microcredit amazes and astounds me.
John
William Sturm
61 West Hill Avenue
Melrose, MA 02176
Tel : 1-781-665-5777
E-mail : john_w_sturm@hotmail.com
November 12, 2002
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On
A Fast Track in Gujarat |
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I
am thankful to you for sending me the paper on Expanding Microcredit
Outreach to Reach the Millennium Development Goal. It was
interesting and exciting. But the only question, which comes
to my mind, is why governments and political parties all over
the world are not extending active co-operation to such a
good movement in their countries?
In India,
Government of India accepted microcredit through a concept
of self-help groups and asked banks to lend. It fixed the
targets, but most of the banks, even after this, hesitate
to help NGOs. Only the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has
been able to influence banks in his state.
It is
an open fact that Indian banks have non-performing assets
worth Rs 600 billion. And most of these borrowings are by
industries, businessmen and non-poor. Even in cases where
banks came forward to finance microcredit, it is not for the
philosophy or for any policy, but it is only to use NGOs for
better recovery, as banks have failed to recover old dues.
Our experience
about NABARD in India is also not good. It is very much bureaucratic.
Anyway, even then, we are trying hard to make our organization
sustainable. After our function at Baroda, which was attended
by Shri Latifee, we have intensified our efforts.
Following
figures reflect our conviction. Year 2000 and beyond have
proved to be the years of expansion and consolidation of microcredit.
Total number of beneficiaries has crossed 6000, while recovery
has remained above 95 per cent. Very soon we will reach the
target of Rs 20 million. Next month we will complete 100 months
of our Grameen journey. We can still move faster and achieve
the goal of becoming sustainable.
Sanat
Mehta
Anthodia Bahaman
Police Parade Ground
Rapture, Vadodara 390 001, INDIA
Tel: 0265- 2431383; & 2423282 FAX: 2 420838
E-mail: svs@wilnetonline.net
February 17, 2003
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Internet
Business for Young Entrepreneurs |
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Your
article Microcredit: A Weapon In Fighting Extremism under
the present climate should have a great deal of relevance.
I have sent this out to everyone I know, as I think it contains
a very powerful message.
My name
is Glenn and I am an Australian psychologist and software
developer. I have been interested in the opportunities that
the Grameen Bank is offering to underprivileged people around
the world.
I am at
present finishing my registration requirements as a psychologist.
But once I have finished, I feel I would like to become involved
in something constructive in the Philippines. I have visited
the Philippines many times and really have developed an attachment
to the country.
Having
had the opportunity to take advantage of being born in such
a lucky country (financially, not spiritually!), I want to
share in some way with those that would have wished for the
opportunities I have had.
I am also
an experienced internet software developer and am at present
setting up my own internet web server. I was hoping to use
my skills and technological experience to assist in the development
of social programs and the setting up of internet businesses
for young entrepreneurs who have the talent but lack the resources
and knowledge. I travel to the Philippines on a regular basis.
Do you have a contact name in the Philippines for your organization?
Glenn
Ray
E-mail : futuremode@hotmail.com
December 31, 2002
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As
a private individual, I am interested in setting up a microcredit
lending facility/bank in or around the city of Coimbatore,
India. I have sufficient funds to provide the required seed
capital for the facility and I would like to run it as a for-profit
franchise under the aegis of Grameen Bank. I am quite impressed
with the Grameen Generalized System (GGS) concept and would
like to utilize it as the franchise.
I think
the best approach to facilitating the creation of a microcredit
facility in Coimbatore would be a Build-Operate-Transfer contract
with Grameen Trust. If you think that is the best way to go,
I am all for it, because I do not have prior experience with
microcredit lending although, I am very well versed in consumer
credit lending in the United States (I work in credit card
risk management at a large financial institution). If the
microcredit facility becomes successful, I plan to put the
profit into starting more franchises within India, especially
in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat states.
Rushabh
Email: sheth@rushabh.com
March 20, 2003
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Out
of Prison, Into Poverty? |
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Everyday
in the United States approximately 1,600 men and women are
released from state and federal prisons ( i.e. 600,000 per
yr.) A vast majority of these ex-offenders re-enter society
un-employed, with very little money or hope of finding a good
paying job. The probation and parole agencies that have traditionally
been responsible for assisting them in their transition from
detention to freedom, have suffered budget reductions, causing
caseloads to rise. These agencies have also experienced a
crisis of identity, as they struggle to simultaneously provide
surveillance and services.
The
movement of 600,000 people from the prison to home has another
important distinction. The four fold increase in the rates
of incarceration is not evenly distributed across America's
communities - it is concentrated in our poorest communities,
particularly poor communities of color. Yet these are the
communities we are asking to take on the difficult task of
reintegrating record numbers of returning prisoners. There
are also an alarming 15 million minor children with a parent
in prison.
With
assistance in obtaining employment and operating capital,
offenders will have the necessary tools to begin stabilizing
their lives and communities and favorably impact recidivism
rates. The basis for any long-term efficient solution to re-entry
and rehabilitation rests in the capacity of an ex offender
to generate legal income. Self-sufficiency through self employment
can be obtained for ex-offenders, if we adopt programs that
strive to give them the tools and opportunities they need
to increase their income an approach that affirms the values
of hard work and free enterprise.
I
am interested in obtaining financial support to start a program
for ex-offenders that replicates the Grameen-style microcredit
program. Any assistance or advice you can offer, would be
appreciated.
Randell
Krugh
Van Wert, Ohio
Tel: 419-495-2368
E-mail:myprint@bright.net
January 20, 2003
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Ever
since I heard about Grameen Bank I have been thinking of establishing
a similar organization in South India. I wonder if you could
assist me to learn more about the principles of Grameen Bank,
the modalities and any training at all? How could you assist
me in establishing a replica in South India? Thanks.
James
Mathew
Email: jamesm@mirates.net.ae
U A E - Sat Oct 5 10:47:02 EDT 2002
I am so
delighted to be given the opportunity to hear one of your
speeches in Australia. It was documented and we from Negros
Women For Tomorrow Foundation in the Philippines believe in
your genuine goal in helping the poor women. I myself have
decided to devote my life for the service of these folks.
You are my inspiration.
Dawn
Nell Arabelo
Email: basti_legarda@lycosmail.com
Bago City, Philippines - Sun Sep 29 10:00:24 EDT 2002
Your theme
is a nice one and I have observed in some of the places in
our area, the working of this process in a very good manner,
all working through voluntary organisations. Please extend
this process to our area also.
D.Samuel
Email: dasisyam@yahoo.co.in
Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh India - Mon Sep 16 07:48:03 EDT 2002
I read the book "Hacia un Mundo sin Pobreza". I
run to the internet to find a way to get involved in this
project. That is what I was looking for to use my time and
energy. As I have experience in organization of international
events, and exhibitions of artists that need to live from
their passion, I strongly believe in human capacity. Please
tell me how can I help you. I don't have money, but I have
time, energy, and have already been trying to make things
change. Gabriela Tocco, from a rural village in Argentina.
Gabriela
Tocco
Email: ladanesa@dlgred.com.ar
Argentina - Sun Sep 1 09:26:45 EDT 2002
Hello,
I would like to get in contact with people who are engaged
in microcredit programs in Morocco or other North African
countries. Thanks !
D.Vogt
Associatio Azalay
Email: azalay@firemail.de
Marburg, Germany-Sun Aug 18 06:04:06 EDT 2002
I am setting
up a poverty eradication program in Trinidad and Tobago through
the Hindu Credit Union. Loans are to be given only to women
with children and with household income below US$ 200 per
month.
P.
Ramlakhan
Email: prak32@hotmail.com
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Sun Aug 18 03:34:47 EDT
2002
Hi! Does
someone know any university (in a developing country) that
teaches some unit/modules on microcredit? Thanks a lot and
I am just looking for this information because I have chosen
microcredit as theme of my thesis and I can take a semester
abroad.
Sheila
Email: s_stefani@xsmail.com
London, U.K - Tue Jul 23 20:45:12 EDT 2002
I am very
interested in the Grameen banking project as it fits squarely
with a process of community based, community driven economic
development that I have developed and am currently fine tuning
in application. These are based on two publications that I
have written. Details can be obtained from
www.futureheritage.net
Bob
Neville
Email: bobneville@futureheritage.net
Goomeri, Qld Australia - Sun Jul 21 19:58:50 EDT 2002
I'm actually
working on a paper about Grameen replication programs all
over Europe. Can you please tell me where I can find some
information and statistics about Grameen replication program
in Lofoten islands, Norway. Thanks a lot.
Nicoletta
Ferro
Email: niclet@tisaclinet.it
Milan, Italy - Thu Jul 18 07:25:07 EDT 2002
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