Author Archive
Serving the Ordinary: The strength of microfinance
Four months ago, my starry-eyed impression of microfinance was shaken during my first interview with a borrower (on my third day as a Kiva Fellow with CREDIT MFI), who told me that she had pulled her children from school so that they could help with her business. Though this reveals a possible negative impact of microlending, I have come to discover that what is attractive and important about this development tool is precisely that it is not glamorous or sexy.
Branching Out
–“Do you want the middle or the side?”
–“I’ll take the middle…and I don’t need a pillow,” I add, feeling this is the least I can do for the two Tellers at CREDIT’s Krolanh Sub-branch, who are graciously sharing their reed mat with me for the next few nights. Before we settle in, we patch together some English and Khmai as they explain to me how long they have worked for CREDIT MFI, when they get to see their families and what degrees they are pursuing in their little free time. When I compliment the Head Teller on her nails she kindly offers to do mine and begins pointing at different items of clothing in the room to figure out what colors I like. Before we fall asleep they teach me to say good night, and in preparation for the next day, good morning.
Toilet, WC, Latrine?
What type of toilet facility does the household have?
A. Pit latrine, septic tank, other without septic tank, public toilet, shared toilet, or other
B. Connected to sewerage
C. Open land
D. None
I had spent the last two weeks pouring over material on the Cambodia Progress Out of Poverty Index (PPI) scorecard from which the above question is excerpted. However, I was still unsure of how–were I a client of CREDIT MFI taking the PPI survey–I would distinguish between the last two answer options. What is the difference between “Open land” and “None”? Maybe, I pondered, “None” has a different cultural meaning that I am not able to understand as a foreigner?
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Gemma North, KF9, Cambodia
–“I used my loan to purchase a motorcycle to transport my baskets to the market.”
–“My loan helped to buy a motorcycle for my husband to help his moto-taxi business.”
–“We used the funds to purchase tools for our mechanic business so we can fix more motorcycles…”
After nearly a month and a half of helping to post updates on CREDIT MFI’s clients, I have grown used to, and almost expect these descriptions
Everyone and everything gets transported by moto in Cambodia
on loan use. Indeed, a quick search of Kiva’s current loans in Cambodia for the Transportation sector reveals that nearly 10% of the total borrowers decided to use their funds to engage in this industry (and this does not count the many individuals who decided to buy a motorbike after they received a loan). This also seems representative of the local economy as on my daily walks through the city I am solicited by–at the very least–half a dozen moto-drivers offering me rides. Although this becomes a bit redundant after the third or fourth proposal, I make an effort to acknowledge each man with a “no thank you,” as they remind me of the numerous CREDIT clients who depend on their husband, brother or son earning an income as a taxi driver. After reading Fred Strebeigh’s The Wheels of Freedom: Bicycles in China, describing how bicycles represented political freedom, I have realized that the very same can be said for motorbikes in Cambodia. These vehicles allow entrepreneurs to engage in economic opportunities that may have been more difficult only ten years ago when most people traveled by bike or by foot.
No Need to Read
By Gemma North, KF9, Cambodia
I spend a lot of time walking the streets of Phnom Penh. This is not a common practice for Cambodians, who know better than to try and navigate the chaotic sidewalks which are essentially an outdoor extension of stores, restaurants and living rooms, or even spaces for entirely separate businesses such as bicycle repairmen, women selling barbecued chicken feet, or mobile phone refill kiosks. Yet I enjoy steering through this obstacle course as it allows me to take in, and slowly understand the details and habits that make up peoples’ daily lives. However, as an outsider who speaks quite limited Khmer and who cannot begin to decipher the script, I have limited means of absorbing and understanding the wider concerns that affect the society. Therefore I am lucky to find, amidst the bustling street scenes, clues on the broader issues facing this country today.
Ad on the back of a tuk tuk seat
“Hearing something one hundred times is little compared to seeing something once.”
By Gemma North, KF9, Cambodia
So goes my Cambodian colleague’s expression on the value of experience. It has been just over a week since I arrived in Phnom Penh to begin my fellowship with CREDIT. Before coming I had done some reading on Cambodia’s history and culture, but had tried to arrive without any preconceived notions. After spending just a short time in the field however, it became clear that I had brought along my “western” mind and misconceptions. Luckily, I have had the chance to address a few of my assumptions on microfinance. (more…)
