Author Archive
An Inside Look at an MFI -En Espanol Tambien!
As I sit on my semi-comfy coach listening to some buoyant Central Asian tunes I try to reflect on my three months gone past. How can I begin to explain the world Kyrgyzstan has opened for me? Through my past blogs and my sharing of my Microfinance Institute’s (Mol Bulak Finance) work I have attempted to show you. There is one more important item left for me to discuss, and that is the subject of employees at Mol Bulak Finance (MBF).
10 Things You Didn’t Know in Kyrgyzstan –En español también
Let’s talk about cultural differences, my favorite topic! After having lived in Kyrgyzstan for over two months, I have come across hundreds of differences between what I consider the norm and what I have witnessed here. Let me share just ten unique things about this country:
Kyrgyzstan Report –En español también
For the first time in my life, I am living in a country with serious national strife. If I ever thought about a developing country with ethnic tensions and no governing body, I imagined chaos. I imagined people screaming and running with complete disregard for civilized life. True, I am not situated in Osh—south of Kyrgyzstan, where Kyrgyz and Uzbeks living side-by-side recently started killing one another—but to my surprise, Bishkek (the capital) is tranquil and people seem sharp about the situation.
Developing Country Knowledge –En español también
By Eva Nemirovsky, KF11 Kyrgyzstan
Maybe you want to improve the world.
This is why you read Muhammad Yunus’ books and the End of Poverty, by Jeffrey Sachs. You have a perfect project in mind that could help alleviate poverty in Tanzania. The only issue is that you have never been there.
Are Pictures Really Worth More Than a Thousand Words? –En español también
By Eva Nemirovsky, KF11 Kyrgyzstan
Sometimes. But, maybe not for Kyrgyz microfinance borrower using the Kiva platform. Poor Kyrgyz people make sure to look good for pictures, so good, in fact, that one may misleadingly think: “these people don’t need a loan!”
One issue that Kiva often discusses is why some loans are funded faster than others. There are some patterns worth noting, most significantly, that in Central Asia loans take a lot longer to fund. Some have argued this is due to the loan amounts being much greater, however, thus far at Mol Bulak Finance all the borrowers have been part of a group and therefore the loans have not differed too greatly from others on the Kiva website.
My hypothesis is that poverty in post-Soviet Union countries is not easily understood by outside nations. Kyrgyzstan gained its independence less than two decades ago; it is a young State that had almost no political history before Russia fully took over operations around 1920. Similar to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan was a mostly nomadic culture throughout its entire history. The Soviet Union abruptly changed all this and unnaturally imposed its political, economic, and cultural norm onto the Kyrgyz territory.
Not everything was negative; the Soviet Union vastly improved Kyrgyzstan’s living conditions. For one, the USSR was famous for its superior education system and efforts were taken to make all Kyrgyz citizens literate. Fortunately, Kyrgyzstan continues educating its people until the ninth grade. This explains the striking 98.7% literacy rate in the nation today. If one compares this figure with the 39.3% literacy rate in Senegal (another Kiva site), one is automatically inclined to associate this with poverty. It is remarkable to realize that in per capita GDP, Kyrgyzstan rates 184th out of about 195 countries of the world. (Statistics from online CIA factbook)
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan lost its vast market and the period effectively drained the country from much of its natural resources. Ultimately, Russia was centerfold and “if the strengthening of the centre required it, a policy of plunder in the borderlands would be proper and correct.” (Sources taken from Kyrgyz Republic by Stewart and Weldon).
Today, Kyrgyzstan has little developed industry. After a seventy-year Soviet rule, innovation is not accessible, business enterprise is difficult. The people living below the poverty line (which account for 40 percent of the country), have a minute variety of jobs to choose from: mainly trading and farming. Working in agriculture is difficult mostly because, if they wish to stay afloat, farmers must learn multiple trades. For example, if a borrower buys a cow with her loan, she cannot dedicate all her time to the livestock because her income would be insufficient—I learned that to raise a cow and use it for mating or meat purposes takes about three years. This borrower also has to: have a daycare, grow potatoes, and be a taxi-driver.
Two weeks ago, the instant I arrived to visit a borrower in Balykchi, he started to negotiate fish prices with the microfinance institute’s driver. I was there to verify that his loan was being used to buy a calf, but I was obligated to wait ten minutes for him to conclude his deal with the driver. Since this borrower’s activities did not make enough money for his household, he had become a part-time fisher.
This form of poverty is something I never had to study in school. When I first saw the Kyrgyz Kiva loans my initial reaction was to think that these borrowers did not need microfinance, but now, having seen it face-to-face, I have learned otherwise.
Pictures can also be deceiving, especially in the former Soviet Union where the legacy of controlled life lives on. To take a picture, or merely to go out of the house, citizens dress up; the possibility of public scorn is just too great.
Eva Nemirovsky is a Kiva Fellow working with Mol Bulak Finance in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Join the Kyrgyzstan lending team. There are borrowers from Kyrgyzstan with Mol Bulak Finance who you can help by contributing to a loan today, and many other entrepreneurs from around the world on the Kiva site.
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Las fotos realmente valen mil palabras?
Por Eva Nemirovsky, KF11 Kirguistán
A veces sí. Pero quizás no para los prestatarios Kirguiz de microfinanzas que usan la plataforma de Kiva. Los pobres de Kirguistán siempre se aseguran de salir bien en las fotos, tan bien, de hecho, que uno equivocadamente podría llegar a pensar: “esta gente no necesita un préstamo”!
Un tema que se discute bastante en Kiva es porque algunos prestatarios son financiados más rápido que otros. Hay algunos patrones interesantes, específicamente que los préstamos en Asia Central tardan mucho más en ser financiados. Algunos argumentan que esto es porque las cantidades de los préstamos son más altas, pero hasta ahora he visto que en Mol Bulak Finance los prestatarios forman parte de grupos y el total de los préstamos no excede la cantidad de otros préstamos ofrecidos en el sitio Kiva.
Mi hipótesis es que la pobreza en países post-soviéticos no es fácilmente comprendida por naciones extranjeras. Kirguistán se independizo hace menos de dos décadas; es un país nuevo que antes de 1920, no tuvo amplia historia política. Como Kazakstán, Kirguistán siempre fue de una cultura nómada. La Unión Soviética cambio todo este esquema y agresivamente impuso nuevas normas políticas, económicas, y culturales.
No todo fue negativo; la Unión Soviética mejoro la calidad de vida en Kirguistán. La imposición de su sistema superior de educación, es un buen ejemplo. Los rusos se esforzaron para que toda la gente en Kirguistan pudiera ser alfabetizada. Por suerte, hoy Kirguistan sigue ofreciendo educacion publica a sus ciudadanes hasta noveno grado. Esto explica el alfabetismo excelente del 98.7%. Si uno compara esta figura con el 39.3% de Senegal (otra ubicación de Kiva) automáticamente, uno lo conecta con pobreza. Aqui es importante notar que el Producto per Capita PPP en Kirguistan es clasificado como numero 184 de 195 paises! (Estadisticas del CIA Factbook en internet).
Con el colapso de la Union Sovietica, Kirguizstan perdio su mercado enorme y al mismo tiempo empezo a sentir los resultados negativos de los anos de ocupacion en sus recursos naturales. Al final, el territorio ruso era lo más importante en la época soviética, “si para fortalecer el centro se precisaba, la política del pillaje en las aéreas bordeando Rusia no sería problema y seria la acción correcta”. (Fuentes tomadas de Kyrgyz Republic por Stewart y Weldon).
Hoy, Kirguistán tiene poca industria desarrollada. Después 70 años de ser administrada por una política soviética, la innovación no es accesible, emprendimiento es difícil. Las personas que viven bajo la linea de pobreza (40% del país) tienen una variedad muy limitada de trabajos: mayoritariamente comercio y actividades agropecuarias. Trabajando en agricultura es difícil porque para sobrevivir los granjeros tienen que aprender múltiples comercios. Por ejemplo, si un prestatario compra una vaca con su préstamo, ella no puede decidirse todo su tiempo al animal porque su salario no sería suficiente—aprendí que criar una vaca para que tenga crias o para comer lleva tres años. Este prestatario también debe: proveer un servicio para cuidar niños, crecer papas, y ser taxista.
Hace dos semanas, cuando llegue a la casa de un prestatario en Balykchi, empezó a negociar precios de pescado con el chofer del instituto de microfinanza. Yo estaba visitando para verificar que el préstamo se estaba usando para comprar una vaca, pero fui obligada a esperar 10 minutos para que el prestatario y el chofer terminen su negociación. Este prestatario no ganaba lo suficiente con sus actividades agrícolas y fue obligado a hacerse un pescador part-time.
Este tipo de pobreza es algo que nunca estudie en la escuela. La primera vez que vi los prestatarios de Kirguistán en el sitio de Kiva pensé que los prestatarios no precisaban la microfinanza, pero ahora, después de haberlo visto con mis propios ojos, aprendí que no es así.
Las fotos pueden enganar. Especialmente en países post soviéticos donde el recuerdo de una vida bien controlada sigue viva. Para sacarse una foto, o simplemente para salir a la calle, los ciudadanos se visten bien; la posibilidad de ser mal vistos por el público es demasiado dañina.
Eva Nemirovsky es un Kiva Fellow trabajando con Mol Bulak Finance en Bishkek, Kirguistán. Únete al Kyrgyzstan lending team. Hay prestatarios de Kirguistán que están con Mol Bulak Finance a quienes tú puedes ayudar contribuyendo a un préstamo hoy.
Why I’m Not Eating a Kyrgyz Chocolate Bar/La razón que no como un chocolate kirguiz
By Eva Nemirovsky, KF11 Kyrgyzstan
It’s Friday night and I’m eating a Cliff bar writing in my Bishkek apartment. I arrived two weeks ago, so I still have a few Cliff bars left. Truthfully, I would rather go outside to the kiosk and buy some Kyrgyz chocolate, but everyone has warned me not to go out at night. I think my Mother would be proud because for once I’m actually listening to them.
When I first told people I was going to Kyrgyzstan they said “Kyrg…what!” followed by “didn’t they just have a coup?” I have become accustomed to calmly explaining that “yes, that is correct, on April seventh there was a coup and the President at that time (Bakiyev) was ousted from power—he barely escaped his white house in Bishkek and fled to the Southern part of the country, where his influence is greater. However, Bakiyev was eventually forced to resign and now a six-month interim government is ruling the land.” 
The outrage in April occurred because Bakiyev, who had taken power after the 2005 Tulip Revolution, had promised to improve the conditions of the country. Five years later, a monthly pension was only enough to cover utilities. Conditions were clearly not better.
Over 80 people were killed during the revolution, and from what I have observed thus far, this was a great shock and horror to Kyrgyz citizens. I visited the fenced white house, where the victims were shot by police, and saw that the gate was full of pictures and flowers. Upon looking at the pictures, I was alarmed to see many young boys fifteen years of age—I even saw a fourteen year old victim! 
This was definitely not what I had imagined. I realized what chaos must have ensued on those couple of days. I got the impression that the violence occurred just as much, or more, because of confusion than because of people’s convictions.
It is strange, before leaving San Francisco, so many people asked me about the situation in Kyrgyzstan that I was able to turn on my automatic pilot explanation “yes, that is correct, on April 7th…” One could say that I almost thought less about the revolution because of the bombardment of inquiries. I have lived in places with political turmoil before, but never one with violence so fresh on every citizen’s mind.
I think today was the first time in my life that a coworker said “I can take you shopping at the bazaar, but let’s wait until after the 40-day official mourning period since it may not be safe beforehand.” My coworkers at Mol Bulak Finance are not scared about their safety, but they are concerned about the welfare of their country. One goal of microfinance is to help develop poor regions and it is difficult to meet this objective when the government has little power, no focused direction, and few resources. The only thing left to do is wait, be patient, and help entrepreneurs whose businesses are moving forward regardless.
Eva Nemirovsky is a Kiva Fellow working with Mol Bulak Finance in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Join the Kyrgyzstan lending team. There are borrowers from Kyrgyzstan with Mol Bulak Finance who you can help by contributing to a loan today, and many other entrepreneurs from around the world on the Kiva site.
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Por Eva Nemirovsky, KF11 Kirguistán
Estoy escribiendo esto un viernes a la noche desde mi departamento en Bishkek mientras como una barrita Cliff. Hace dos semanas que estoy, así que me quedan algunas barritas mas. La verdad es que me gustaría ir afuera al kiosco y comprarme un chocolate Kirguiz, pero todos me han advertido que no salga a la noche. Creo que mi madre estaría orgullosa porque por primera vez les estoy haciendo caso.
Cuando le contaba a la gente que me iba a Kirguistán me contestaban “Kirgui…que!?” seguido por “no acaban de tener un golpe de estado?” Yo ya me acostumbre a responderles, con mucha calma, “si, es correcto, el siete de abril hubo un golpe y al Presidente, en aquella época (Bakiyev), le sacaron el poder—apenas se pudo escapar de su casa blanca en Bishkek e irse al sur del país, donde su influencia es mayor. Aun así, eventualmente Bakiyev fue obligado a resignar, y ahora un gobierno temporario de seis meses está en poder.” Los problemas en abril ocurrieron porque Bakiyev, quien había tomado poder después de la revolución de Tulipán en 2005, había prometido mejorar las condiciones del país. Cinco años después, la pensión mensual solo alcanza para cubrir las expenses de la casa. Era evidente que las condiciones no habían mejorado.
Durante la revolución mataron a más de 80 personas, y por lo que yo he visto hasta ahora, esto fue un asombro y horror para los ciudadanos de Kirguistán. El otro día visite la casa blanca, que tiene rejas alrededor, donde las víctimas fueron matadas, en esas rejas ahora hay fotos y flores. Cuando mire las fotos, note que había varios niños de quince años—hasta vi una víctima de catorce! Definitivamente, esto no era lo que yo me había imaginado. Me di cuenta del caos que debe haber sido la revolución. Tuve la impresión que la violencia ocurrió más por confusión que por las convicciones de las personas.
Es raro, antes de irme de San Francisco, tantas personas me preguntaron sobre la situación en Kirguistán que aprendí a responder como una máquina “si, es correcto, el siete de abril hubo…” Quizás pensé menos sobre la revolución por la cantidad enorme de preguntas que me hicieron. Yo he vivido en lugares con complicaciones políticas, pero nunca en un país que ha pasado por violencia tan recientemente.
Creo que hoy fue la primera vez en my vida que una colega me dijo “te puedo llevar a hacer shopping en el bazar, pero esperemos hasta que termine el luto oficial de 40 días porque quizás no esté muy seguro si vamos antes”. Mis colegas en Mol Bulak Finance no tienen miedo, pero si están preocupados por el bienestar de su país. La meta de microfinanzas es ayudar a desarrollar regiones pobres y es difícil cumplir este objetivo cuando el gobierno tiene poco poder, insuficiente enfoque, y escasez de recursos. La única sugerencia por ahora es esperar, ser paciente, y ayudar a emprendedores quienes, por suerte, siguen con sus negocios.
Eva Nemirovsky es un Kiva Fellow trabajando con Mol Bulak Finance en Bishkek, Kirguistán. Únete al Kyrgyzstan lending team. Hay prestatarios de Kirguistán que están con Mol Bulak Finance a quienes tú puedes ayudar contribuyendo a un préstamo hoy.
