Posted by admin on 30 January, 2012
On the evening of December 16, 2011, Typhoon Sendong arrived at Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. The citizens initially thought it was just an ordinary rain shower, besides Mindanao rarely experienced strong typhoons, but their experiences hours later proved them wrong. After only a few hours of continuous rains, followed by flashfloods and raging mudflows, Cagayan de Oro City turned into a muddy swamp of debris. By dawn of the next day, many homes have been completely washed away, many lost their livelihoods and more than a thousand (1, 265 last count) individuals, most of whom were women and children, perished.
The city’s joyful anticipation of Christmas turned to a desperate and hasty race for survival. The timing of the typhoon-turned-tragedy dimmed the citizens’ faith and hope not just for a happy Christmas but for a bright future.
The staff of TSPI-Carmen branch in Cagayan de Oro City witnessed the painful experiences of their fellow community members. Three hundred eight clients of the branch were greatly affected by the typhoon, with heartbreaking stories ranging from home damage, livelihood loss to missing family members. One of the clients lost a child, while her other sibling is yet to be found.
Without any hesitation, the staff of TSPI Mindanao Sector, led by Ms. Edith Jimena, Sector Manager immediately set out to mobilize the much needed assistance to the 308 clients and 8 staff members devastated by Typhoon Sendong. The branch staff visited their clients and co-staff whose homes were flooded to find out what kind of assistance they needed and prayed for them. By December 19, packs of noodles and bread were distributed to the affected clients and staff. Two days later, rice, canned goods, more noodles, blankets, mats and slippers were also given away. Temporary shelter was offered by Ms. Jimena to staff members whose homes were damaged by the typhoon. Consequently, a moratorium for the suspension of collection for the affected clients was recommended by the branch, which was approved and signed by Ms. Eleanor S. So, Chief Operating Officer for the South and Mindanao Sectors. The branch also coordinated with Habitat International to ask for housing assistance on behalf of their affected clients.
The sense of urgency to help and reach out was felt all throughout the TSPI family. All the TSPI branches in Mindanao willingly donated their budget reserved for their branch Christmas party so that more relief goods could be given to the affected clients. Cash donation amounting to more than Php 200,000 from the Head Office employees was channeled to the victims. The staff in the branch and Community Development Program also donated used clothes.
The affected clients were very grateful for all the assistance TSPI gave. Branch Manager Ms. Mary Venyl Gabriza shares, “Malaking bagay na po sa kanila yung mga relief goods na pinamigay natin lalo na yung moral support, mga dasal na pinaabot namin sa kanila. Na-appreciate po nila yung kahit sa putik, sa baho ng area hindi po tayo tumitigil sa paghahanap sa kanila para mapaabot lang yung mga tulong natin (The relief goods were a blessing for them, especially the moral support and prayers that we offered. They appreciated the fact that despite the mud and stench of their community we did not stop in looking for them just so we could give them the help they need).
Tragedy brought the Carmen branch and the whole TSPI family together. Ms. Venyl says the lesson they learned through their experience of Typhoon Sendong is,“Natutunan naming magkaisa,na kahit anu mang trahedya ay kaya naming lutasin basta’t tulong tulong (We learned to be united, so that no matter what tragedy befalls us, we can overcome it as long as we help one another).”
Source: TSPI press release
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The Pakistan Microfinance Network has always strived to provide financial access to all those who have yet to be reached and to attain this goal, PMN has initiated innovative projects with various key stakeholders such as the State Bank of Pakistan, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, UKAID and others.
Amongst recent developments, PMN was awarded a study by the World Bank on Tackling Financial Exclusion of Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan. The study was conducted in multiple districts across all provinces in Pakistan, and a first draft has already been developed. It is one step towards providing women inclusive financial services in Pakistan.
PMN has also initiated a scoping study on Hybrid Value Chains with the help of Hystra Consulting to explore the possibility of creating such chains in communities in Pakistan. In this regard, PMN has also carried out workshops around the country to disseminate information regarding Value Chains. By creating a link between big corporations and skilled communities, huge potential can be harnessed which will lead to development of all stakeholders involved.
PMN has successfully managed to complete work on a Geographical Information System (GIS) where branches of all microfinance institutions have been mapped on Google Maps. This will allow people to see what microfinance institutions are operating in any area down to the street level thereby serving as a tool to determine penetration of services according to geography and the level of competition in any space.
Along with its partners – Government of Pakistan, PPAF, IFAD, UKAID, SBP – PMN is organizing the Financial Inclusion Summit 2012, which will take place in Islamabad in the first half of 2012. Speakers and practitioners from all over the world will be coming in to discuss how to provide financial access to all and increase the penetration of the microfinance sector.
Source: PMN press release
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Credit and Development Forum (CDF), the national microfinance network in Bangladesh, was announced as a winner of the Social Performance (SP) Start-up Fund for Network call for proposal. CDF is one of the 13 awardees of the fund awarded by Microfinance Center (MFC), Poland. Under this project CDF will implement SP activities including awareness raising activities among the member MFIs within Bangladesh.
The project duration is from December 2011 to November 2012. CDF has started organizing series of divisional conferences to share its activities, launching of Social Performance, achievement and member MFIs’ experience in implementing microfinance activities. A national level gala event has been planned to be organized in Dhaka, where CDF is expecting to host 750 participants, including MFIs, regulators, policy-makers, commercials banks and donors. For the last two years in a row, CDF has been jointly hosting the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) with Citi Foundation.
Among 170 applicants, in 2010, 4 awards were given on 4 different categories. The CMA launching for the year 2011 is scheduled in February 2012. As a development partner of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), CDF was entrusted to ensure physical inspection of SCB’s agricultural loan portfolio for two MFIs viz. BURO, Bangladesh and Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Shangha (TMSS).
Source: CDF press release
Posted by admin on 20 January, 2012
To celebrate the coming New Year 2012, VisionFund has carried out a lucky draw event for its Social Investor Term Deposit clients. The prize that have been provided included one LCD TV, one single-door Fridge, two DVD players, three Electric Kettles and three Electric Irons. The lucky draw has been drawn and the prizes have been handed over to the lucky winners on the 23rd December 2011 at VisionFund Head Office.
VisionFund is a well-established Microfinance Institution reaching out to clients in 19 provinces across the country. Furthermore, VisionFund is part of the VisionFund International global network in about 40 countries under the umbrella of World Vision International. Based on this strong foundation, VisionFund has built and earned the trust of the public over the years.
“By investing in the Social Investor Term Deposit with VisionFund, it is beyond just being able to keep the cash at a safe place and obtain high interest rate; it is a term deposit product targeting at those who are passionate in helping the poor, especially children. You can achieve your social goal while maintaining your financial target by depositing with VisionFund. Your money will be lent back to the communities to start and grow their business. VisionFund will manage your money safely and effectively”, said Mr. Khuon Sophorth, Head of Systems and Communications.
Source: VisionFund press release
Posted by admin on 19 December, 2011
The Certificate for Contribution to 2011 Learning Initiatives has been awarded to the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) by the SEEP Network for MCPI’s programs for the promotion and institutionalization of client protection among its members.
This is the first time that SEEP has presented this kind of recognition and MCPI is one of only two networks worldwide that has been given the certificate; the other is the Azerbaijan Micro-Finance Association (AMFA).
The certificate means that MCPI has completed its deliverables, earlier than other networks, in the Memorandum of Understanding with SEEP and Smart Campaign to advance client protection in the country. In the MOU signed last year, MCPI had to, among other things, conduct client protection assessments of two MFIs; assist MFIs in self-assessment process and the completion of the Getting Started Questionnaire; and share client protection best practices and results of assessments with SEEP Network and Smart Campaign.
The certificate was presented during SEEP Network’s 13th Global Network Summit last November 3 in Arlington, Virginia, USA.
Source: MCPI press release
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Sixteen representatives of microfinance associations from China, India, Nepal and the Philippines attended the Social Performance Start-up Fund (or SP Fund) Kick-off Workshop last October 6-14 at the Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City, Philippines.
The pilot workshop, organized in partnership between the MicroFinance Center (MFC) based in Poland and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) opens up the project conducted by microfinance networks witin Social Performance Start-up Fund for networks. Four grantees from Asia participated in the event (China Association for Microfinance (CAM); China, Micro Finance Institutions Network (MFIN), India; Centre for Microfinance (CMF), Nepal; National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Philippines).
Kick off workshop was held within a framework of the project Social Performance Start –up Fund for Networks aiming at increasing transparency and SPM take-up by MFIs through supporting networks’ SPM outreach to their members and supported by Ford Foundation.
The Kick-off Workshop was divided into two parts. The first part – study tour, was focused on MCPI very practical and concrete experience on working with its members on SPM and the role the network can play in promoting SPM. The participants could learn as well how SPM can be implemented in an MFI, based on experience of ASHI, local MFI. The participants highlighted practical dimension of the study tour: the focus on practical experience and results helped to clarify SPM. Second part of kick off workshop was dedicated to building capacity of network staff and their consultants through providing information on SPM concepts, tools, SP related developments in the form of TOT (training of trainers) as well as allow participants to share and discuss their project plans on promoting SPM in their respected countries.
The workshop was facilitated by Volodymyr Tounytsky, Lalaine Joyas, Ewa Bankowska and Kinga Dabrowska.
The second workshop was held on November 24-December 2, 2011. Twenty-three attendees from Armenia, Cote D’Ivoire, Palestine, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Rwanda, Russian Federation and Ghana took part in the workshop, which was facilitated by MFC’s Walter Tounitsky and Ewa Bankowska and MCPI’s Lalaine Joyas. The workshop was held for the second time in the country; the Philippines being advance in terms of promotion and integration of social performance in the overall performance management of MFIs.
Source: MCPI press release
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On 5 December 2011 the national Microfinance Network for the Lao PDR (MFWG) has formally launched its new bi-lingual website (English and Lao). The site provides information on the MFWG (background, organizational structure, activities, members, membership criteria) as well as detailed information on the microfinance sector in Lao PDR in 2011. As one of the MFWG’s key mandates is to promote sector transparency, sector information from relevant stakeholders was collected and the website now also comprises a mapping of all formal MFIs in Lao PDR and major microfinance projects.
Microfinance stakeholders can now access information on Lao MFIs and their products & services offered as well as microfinance projects which provide support to various sector levels (macro, meso and micro level). We trust that this will help stakeholder cooperation and improve coordination of sector activities. The ‘Resources & Publications’ page has been expanded greatly and comprises major research and studies related to the Lao microfinance sector as well as tools and training materials specifically tailored to the Lao context. It also includes Lao microfinance forecasts and statistics, media articles, briefing papers, etc.
There is also a separate page dedicated to ‘Policies & Regulations’ which provides an introduction to the regulatory framework and relevant microfinance regulations and policies.
The ‘News and Events’ page informs you on future and recent events (workshops, trainings, etc.) related to microfinance in Laos, regionally and internationally.
The MFWG Management Team trusts that this new site will be a useful tool to increase sector transparency, stakeholder coordination and cooperation in Lao PDR.
Source: MFWG for Lao PDR press release
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By showing its commitment to transparent pricing, the Alalay Sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI) was given a certificate of pricing transparency from MFTransparency, an organization “promoting the welfare of poor micro-entrepreneurs and the integrity of microfinance institutions as a poverty alleviation practice.”
“We are very honored to receive the certification from MFTransparency. Being a champion in promoting client protection, we keep our clients informed on the different loan products and services of the organization as well as the charges and other fees incurred when they avail of these products,” said Rolando B. Victoria, ASKI executive director.
MFTransparency serves as a venue for the microfinance industry to publicly demonstrate its commitment to pricing transparency, integrity and poverty alleviation.
Laila Q. Deles, research associate and project manager of MFTransparency in the Philippines lauded ASKI for the commitment showed by the organization in making the microfinance market in the Philippines transparent.
According to Deles, the certification is valid only for one year. “The seal is only valid between the dates specified. After that period, the organization must update their data with MFTransparency to get a new seal. The updating of data must be done annually at a minimum, but they are welcome to update it any time that they will make changes in their pricing structure.”
ASKI is operating in 11 provinces in the Philippines. It has 38 branches serving more than 95,000 clients with loan portfolio of more than one billion pesos as of November 2011.
Source: ASKI press release
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Among 18 existing lending programs to 18 policy beneficiaries, Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) has directed its attention to the lending to the poor, disadvantaged students, business and production households in disadvantaged areas and the lending for safe water and rural environmental sanitation, job creation and housing purposes in 2011. All programs are now easily accessible to the poor throughout the nationwide scale-up of mobile transaction points at all communes since 2011.
VBSP has provided more than 8.2 million microloans to over 7.3 million poorest households in Vietnam, with total outstanding loans of nearly USD 4.7 billion reported by the end of the year. The figure has partly reflected the noticeable contribution of VBSP in poverty elimination in Vietnam, contributing to implementation of Vietnamese Government’s commitment to international community on poverty alleviation and of the first target on poverty elimination in Eight Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.
Over the last nine years, VBSP is on the way to gradually strengthen the clients’ financial capacity for poverty release, as people living in poverty need not only microloan but also other financial services for a better life. Among diversified products and services for micro borrowers, VBSP in the first instance offers the savings product for the poor through savings and credit groups. VBSP successfully mobilized over USD 60 million in 2011, which is not a big number but a good signal that its clients have acquired the habit of making savings, hence helping them to sustain their life out of poverty. The client’s sustainability certainly is VBSP’s sustainability in the time to come.
Source: VBSP press release
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Last November 11 and 12, the 2011 SEEDFINANCE Corporation National Stakeholders Conference was held in Dakak Park and Beach Resort, city of Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte in Mindanao, the southernmost major island of the Philippines. The conference is an annual gathering of stakeholders to SEEDFINANCE’s Micro No More advocacy, a development perspective that microfinance ought not to be forever, that the micro- must grow and move up to the next small- or medium-scale levels. This two-day event featured the sharing of lessons from Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs) which achieved success as they support SEEDFINANCE’s mission towards financial inclusion. Representatives from several partner institutions served as speakers in order to inspire other PFIs through milestones they brought in their respective communities.
Day one had 2 plenary sessions wherein the first plenary focused on enabling financial inclusion through technology and innovation. Several success stories were witnessed from First Consolidated Cooperative on its mobile phone banking experience, Lapuyan Multi-Purpose Cooperative on ATM banking services in improbable areas and Dumanjug Multi-Purpose Cooperative on its expanded financial services. The second session highlighted expanding financial inclusion beyond traditional borders that included Islander Multi-Purpose Cooperative on its program in reaching underserved areas, ICTUS Premier Cooperative on Social Performance Management and Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative on its online lending scheme. The speakers entertained questions from other delegates. A credibility pageant was also conducted where a number of PFI representatives were nominated for the election of members of the Board on the following day.
Presentations of the co-organizers of the conference led by Smart Communications as one of the convenors together with other strategic partners served as the start of day two. Duties and responsibilities of the directors were discussed before the actual 2011 election proceedings. The conference ended through the renewal of partnership vows as the partner representatives and SF board & management mutually signed certificates as a sign of their continuing partnerships toward microfinance progress. Everyone went home looking forward to another successful Micro No More congress next year.
Source: SEEDFinance press release
