Kiva Stories from the Field

By Dennis A. Espinoza, KF9, Cameroon

“Together…”

“…we are one!”

Throughout my time in Cameroon, I have been working with Grounded and Holistic Approach for Peoples’ Empowerment (GHAPE), a microfinance institution (MFI) based in Bamenda, Cameroon. Here in Momo, Mbengwi, GHAPE members have a standard greeting that is used whenever you come across another member. Whether in a GHAPE meeting or in passing along the road, members greet each other with an initial “Together!” and the other member(s) respond, “We are one!”

In an effort to show you how the Bamenda community has come together as one through GHAPE to empower the people of the Northwest Region of Cameroon, I’d like to introduce you to four people.

The four people I selected were chosen because in one short month I’ve either noticed a noteworthy change in their lives that can be attributed to GHAPE or Kiva …or I’m really hoping for one before I leave. This first entry is just an introduction of who they are and where they stood as of one month ago. Each month I am here I’ll share a bit more about how each individual, their story and the impact they had on the GHAPE community.

Neh Patrick – I first met Neh Patrick in a GHAPE meeting during my first week in Cameroon. Mr. Patrick raises pigs and has a pond full of various types of fish. Together, the two endeavors serve as his primary source of income. Patrick’s projects stem from an educational program provided by the United Nations Development Program which taught him the best practices of each trade.

Despite his training, Patrick didn’t have the funding to properly develop his livestock and fish business.

Having been granted a GHAPE loan, which was funded by Kiva, Patrick purchased five pigs and tended to his fishery which produces tilapia and “mud fish”. He expects to reap the fruits of his efforts in December.

Evodia – Evodia and I got to know each other well on a “cozy” eight hour bus ride from Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala, to our current home city of Bamenda.

Evodia’s story begins in Ndu, a rural town outside of Bamenda in English speaking Cameroon. From very humble roots, Evodia and her family were able to make ends meet through small business ventures made possible through microfinance. Her parent’s efforts allowed Evodia to go to school where she did very well. Today, Evodia is married to a math teacher (whom she refers to as the “genius in everything”), has five educated children and she owns a cybercafé in the heart of the Bamenda.

Kenneth “Junior”: Kenneth, or “Junior”, is a GHAPE loan officer in his first few weeks on the job. He was recently hired because borrower demand has allowed GHAPE to open a new branch in the small town of Mbengwi, about 45 minutes from the main city of Bamenda. He comes to GHAPE having recently received his specialization in accounting, economics and business management.

The Mbengwi branch is approximately half as large as GHAPE’s other branches in terms of loans distributed. Junior’s task will be to help manage the existing borrowers and grow the number of lending groups in Mbengwi to about the same as the other GHAPE branches.

GHAPE Borrower X – GHAPE Borrower X is currently delinquent on her loan. She is a part of a five person lending group and, as a result of the delinquency GHAPE Borrower X’s peers have had to put forth additional monthly contributions beyond their own in order to meet the group’s obligations to GHAPE.

GHAPE Borrower X has failed to make a payment for three months and hasn’t been attending the required meetings. She currently has six weeks remaining on her loan. She cannot be removed from the team until the end of the term but both GHAPE and her lending group are hopeful that this individual, who has been a GHAPE member for four years and has exhibited a trustworthy character, will meet her obligations.

Dennis A. Espinoza is a Kiva Fellow working with Grounded and Holistic Approach for Peoples’ Empowerment (GHAPE) in Bamenda, Cameroon.