Kiva Stories from the Field

By Nancy Tuller,

Kiva Fellow Class 8, Ghana, Africa

As a Kiva Fellow in Ghana, Africa, I have been working with Sinapi Aba Trust (SAT), established in 1994 and based in Kumasi, the heart of the Ashanti region.  Sinapi Aba, as the non-governmental organization (NGO) is often referred to, has a vision of dedication to the building of a nation in which the strong help the weak and people’s dignity is maintained through their own efforts at providing for themselves, their families, and their community.  The NGO aims to do this through the provision of both financial and non-financial services to the economically active poor in ten regions of Ghana.  It currently serves over 76,000 clients from 40 branch offices spread throughout these regions.  Your loans to Sinapi Aba clients are helping Sinapi Aba to come closer to the realization of its vision through expanding the reach of microloans in Ghana.

In addition to offering microloans, Sinapi Aba offers its clients business training, social service and consultancy services, as well as training in wise credit usage, vocational skills, savings, accounting and record keeping, and customer service.  Its non-financial services include capacity building, training and technical advice to other microfinance institutions, along with client-oriented programmes in HIV/AIDS awareness and community development, and a very successful youth apprenticeship programme.  Sinapi Aba Trust staff is comprised of some of the most dedicated and committed individuals I know.  Their salaries are not handsome by any measure.  They do this work because they believe that their actions should reflect their belief in, and commitment to, serving others.  Their passion to stay true to their mission of serving the economically disadvantaged in society through providing opportunities for enterprise development and income generation is only surpassed by their successful track record in doing just that.

It is with Sinapi that I have taken my first baby steps in this continent.  It is Sinapi staff that has nurtured me with its knowledge, wisdom and love.  I adore my Sinapi family, and am beyond finding the right words to convey my gratitude for what I have gained through this experience.  Now, all too suddenly, I have to leave my Sinapi family, and move on to my next placement in Ghana.  As I ride the bus that takes me further and further from Sinapi and towards my next destination, (more…)