Archive for 8 July 2009
How did the monkey change your life? A typical day on the field…
I think most of the other fellows will agree – the best (and the most rewarding, most inspiring and sometimes, the most awkward) part of this fellowship is going out into the field to meet the borrowers. Though each of my field experiences has been unique, there are a few things I have come to expect.
I’ve traveled up to the mountains, down to the valley and along the coast to meet borrowers. The scenery at each place has been drastically different: the northern Bekaa valley is flat and somewhat arid; Mount Lebanon – lush and green; and the Southern coast – flaxen and dotted with palms. Regardless of where I’m headed, the day always starts off with a near-death experience involving a scooter, car, truck or, when really lucky, a semi (nothing like having your life flashing before your eyes to give you that extra jolt of energy in the morning).
After surviving the car-ride to one of Al Majmoua’s branches (Al Majmoua has nine branches located all over the country), I meet the Loan Analyst (LA) I will be trailing for the day. The LA serves as my guide, translator (for when I struggle with the language) and general hero in life. Each LA has over one hundred clients and knows everything about them from how their businesses are going, to the number of kids they have, to what repairs they need done on their houses. From there, we start our rounds – visiting the borrowers.
