Dr. Joachim Ruecker, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG) of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) visited center no 4 in Gjonaj village under the Prizren branch of Kosovo Grameen Missione Arcobaleno Microcredit Fund (KGMAMF) on January 21, 2006. He highly appreciated the performance of the project and the changes it has brought in the lifestyle of its clientele.
During the visit, Dr. Ruecker inquired from the borrowers about their activities and achievements. He observed the business activities of three borrowers and was highly impressed by the overall work and impact of the project. He appreciated the mechanism of microcredit as it worked in Kosovo, helping poor women engage in their own business and become self reliant.
Dr. Ruecker visiting the microenterprise business of a borrower. |
KGMAMF was set up in June 2000 under the "Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT)" program of Grameen Trust. KGMAMF has now cumulatively reached about 9,000 poor women and disbursed Euro 18.81 million. Currently it is enjoying 100% repayment rate with no portfolio at risk. This program has empowered the poor women of Kosovo by providing them with opportunities to rebuild their lives through self-employment. Access to financial services has increased their income and improved their economic situation.
In this second phase, KGMAMF is focussing on giving the project a permanent institutional shape to continue its operation on a sustainable basis.
Report by Tasmina Rahman
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