Activities

Organisation of our programmes

Our branches are located in the poorer areas, where people have few means to enable them to develop an economic activity. Each branch is headed by a supervisor who manages 2 to 4 loan officers, all recruited from the population in the slums. Their mission is to identify the eligible families, work with them to assess their needs, issue loans, collect repayments and savings. All loans and savings data is computerised, and is managed either at branch level or at the programme head office, depending on the methodology; all the administrative services are usually managed at head office. Training and other non-financial services are usually given out by a dedicated team that operates on several branches. It takes between 5 and 10 years for a programme to reach structural and financial sustainability, depending on country of operation and the services offered. The interest revenue generated by the loans is used by the programme to cover local expenses and expand the outreach to an ever growing number of families.

Training

Training constitutes one of the pillars of development.  Many families are illiterate or not formally educated.  Basic training (self-confidence, arithmetic…) is therefore provided along with professional training (management, trade training…) and community training (aimed at improving sanitation as well as the family and social environment).

Individualised follow-up

In their first contact with a beneficiary, field staff carry out an evaluation of the family's economic situation in order to assess their needs (loan, training...). When a family becomes member of a branch, they receive regular visits from the staff. In these follow-up visits, the staff checks on the family's progress while providing encouragement and advice on business management, children's education, and the family environment.