Archive for November 12th, 2009
The Savings behind the Interest
By Eva Wu, KF9 Philippines
Having followed the recent debate over Kiva’s transparency and the P2P model, the main critique that stuck with me was that there should be more transparency on Kiva’s partner MFIs. This resonated with me because I believe that Kiva has, on the whole, picked out partner MFIs that do amazing work and have really compelling stories to tell about their organization. So in that spirit, I’ve decided to share more details here about some of the products and services that my host MFI, Hagdan sa Pag-uswag Foundation, Inc. offers. In addition to lending, Hagdan also offers a mandatory savings program, optional insurance programs, and leadership/business trainings. Hagdan also runs community development programs out of a different part of the organization.
Before I dive into those services though, I want to devote this post to HSPFI’s interest repayment policy. Over the last six weeks I’ve realized that my understanding of the details is sadly lacking. So one weekend when I was in the office, I grabbed Sir Melchie Badion, HSPFI Internal Auditor, and asked him for a detailed rundown. Knowing that interest payments cover much of an MFI’s operational costs, I wanted to make sure I had everything straight in my head from start to end.
8 comments 12 November 2009
Weekend in training
By Ed Coambs KF9 Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation
Tricycle driver from training weekend, read this post to learn why we have his photo
The morning starts early, its 5:30 and I rise to church bells and a new day’s adventure. At 6:30 I will be leaving with Raymond, Presy and Masa to introduce Kiva to five Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation branches (NWTF). NWTF partnered with Kiva in July of 2009 and is now expanding their program to more branches.
Today we will travel in a 1990’s vintage Mitsubishi van that has room for 12. The van is well worn with the character of traveling many roads. Our first destination San Carlos will take about three hours and we will pass over a mountain to the other side of the island of Negros. Like any good Filipino road trip starting at 6:30 we make a quick stop at Jollie Bee (A popular local fast food joint) to pick up coffee, hot dogs dripping with cheese and fries. Yes I know a strange breakfast to most but to each Filipino their own. Now that we have our fuel for the morning we hit the open road. Or should I say (more…)
2 comments 12 November 2009
RSS - Posts