Micro-Success program development

This thread is discussing refinements, innovations and additions to Life in Africa's microfinance programs for 2008.

Some ideas are already outlined over here: http://lifeinafrica.com/microfin ance/

Hoping to discuss some others.

[Edited by group owner: Christina Jordan on 27 Nov 2007 03:02 PST: .]

Last comment added: Mon, 05 May 2008 10:47:41 PDT

Comment 1 on Micro-Success program development

The micro-sucess program is real and every one feels like atleast getting a loan but the problem comes in when it gets to the time of repaying back the loan it becomes real problem.

With the expirience on o.net microfinance I have been working on,Of 14 groups which recieved the loan ,the first repayment was really fantastic and in percentage I can say only 1% did not repay.But the situation changed when there was no much activity being in place at the we centre in Gulu and this made the people to start suceededing the date of repayment.These meant that the activity at the centre really was helping in the loan repayment and because there was a halt in the activities 5% of the people had used the micro loan for solving other problems. like paying school fees ,sickness, family disagreements and others opt to do business in Sudan and have not yet come back and no communication has reached the office.So for such situation if we are to best work on developing this program,I believe the group system worked for some but for othere it didnot work well.This iplies the use of bith group loans and individual loans.

I and the community forme a loan recovery committee of 6 people which its duty was to recover the loan from the defaulters .

I have really been trying to move to the cliants business places and check on how this people where developing in business.But this was not that very often possible because its quite abit expensive to do .This implies that the There shuld be provision for the transport like motor bikes to help in this and doing some recovery if the programme will be extended to the non members.otherwise working with large community without such services won't be that easy.

Because of some conditions on the ground at the time , 67 cliants recieved the loan and the repayment date was also the same,i find this was much of a burden because the some peple were not very ready and commited to take the loan this made it very had for them to repay the loan and for those who were ready its really went on well and others have so far got twice the amount all members started with and their business is doing well.so This are some of the tips which I believe can really work well if corrected.

Very strict measures and fines for delayed repayments of the loan could really do well as other profit making micro credits work.If introduced could work also better at lia.

Comment 2 on Micro-Success program development

I believe if we are to suceed in the micro loans then members will have to have be serious with work and have personal biz alongside lia CBO projects like soap,candles and other which might be introduced later and not really depending on LIA foundation for all the ideas and resources.This will help them in repaying the loans.And not fail and probably making adifference in the SOL today.

The failure of micro loans some times here is just because many people have a meal aday,no change in diet for weeks,generally poor SOL and because you have secured some loan you end up thinking some changing your SOL immidiately forgetting that it needs to be repaid.This is ageneral problem here in Africa though you have been advised on how to use the micro loans.

Comment 3 on Micro-Success program development

Many good points Munnu. When microloans meant for business development go into a persons personal living expenses...that makes it very difficult to then build a sustainable and growing business that can provide future income.

I'm sure it says somewhere, but can you tell me again what SOL stands for? Thnx.

Comment 4 on Micro-Success program development

Mark, I think SOL is standard of living.

The points that you make especially on the personal use of business loans are not to be underestimated. It has been a huge problem here in Thailand and has landed up costing the Thai government millions of dollars in bail out. It has seriously hindered further development in the area, I am sad to say.

Comment 5 on Micro-Success program development

I do see what it means when money comes into your hands and there is no food in the house for the children, obviously the first priority is to feed them under all costs, not understanding that this money was meant for something else.

Munnu I really see the point in CBOs working out other ways of earning , not only depending on what the LIA Foundation has to offer, in the past, every member would think that LIA should be their sole source of income, but this should not be the thought any more, because no organisation in this world however big it is will be able to satisfy anybody's total needs.The time that we spend at the centers doing activities is not the whole of our time so we can utilise this remaining time doing our other things to earn more income.My only thought now is that the members should be intensively sensitized that this is not a total source of sustainability , maybe it will be in future when they work very hard to develop more small businesses that they will be owning and maintaining well.

Comment 6 on Micro-Success program development

can someone provide a summary of this program- how much credit did it start with- how many members with loans does it have (if open) or does it intend to get to in first 6 months; what is the organisational ownership and liability structure that has been chosen to form this legal entity? which of the practioners of microfinace has the most advise been sought from