2nd QUARTER 2006
International MFIs consult KMBI
(Top) HR Training Head Arthur Gonzaga accompanies AGAPE representatives to a center meeting.
KMBI shares its best practices to three international microfinance companies early this year. HOPE International, Associacion General Para Asesorar Pequeñas Empresas (AGAPE) of Colombia, and Dian Mandiri (DIMAN) Foundation of Indonesia were lead through KMBI’s Branch Scale-Up Model on January 26 to 30, February 27 to March 1 and May 29 to June 2, respectively. Aiming to strengthen microfinance set-ups in their respective contexts, the representatives from these organizations came to the Philippines because they saw that KMBI has proven the effectiveness of this model in terms of outreach, efficiency and transformational impact. The representatives from HOPE International were Sarah Haig, Katheryn Santos and Mulanie. Jorge Pacheco and Alberto Andres were sent by AGAPE. Dino Hagarati and Esther Metti represented DIMAN Foundation. HOPE and DIMAN Foundation representatives visited Metro Manila South B1 and Metro Manila South B2 branches and selected Success Centers, while AGAPE went to Lower Cavite and San Pablo branches and some centers. During their exposure trips, they came to know KMBI’s goals and directions, learn the support system at the Head Office, and understand branch operations.
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They were also shown the how-to’s in setting up a strategic branch office location, the criteria of a program member, and the process of forming them into a SUCCESS center. Moreover, they identified the different phases of processing of loans from evaluation to monitoring phase, and learned the different reports generated in the branch. Aside from these learnings, Metti of DIMAN Foundation noticed how clients interact with each other during the center meetings. She said it would be wonderful if their meetings in Indonesia are as affective as KMBI’s, even if religious barriers are evident in their Trust Banks. KMBI shares its expertise in the microfinance field since it is an active partner and member of an international network of microfinance orgranizations. The members of this network provide each other with extensive resources in training, field methodologies, exchange of experiences, documentation and access to funding.
Dutch intern learns about microfinance Gerbrand Haverkamp is a student from the Practical University Van Hall Larenstein in Wageningen, Netherlands, taking up Regional Development and Innovation. With a keen interest in microfinance, he decided to learn more about it through an internship with microfinance practitioners in the country. “I chose the Philippines because people here are fluent in English,” he explained. He learned about KMBI through Oikocredit Philippines, whose main office is based in the Netherlands. Oikocredit is an international organization that
provides financial support to microfinance companies worldwide. From May to early June, Gerbrand took post as trainee for the Business Development Services (BDS) unit, headed by Hazel Christine Rosacia. His major tasks involved putting together the BDS Manual, proposal writing and visits to branches and centers. As a course requirement, he also completed a placement report for his school, narrating all his activities and learning experiences. He recalls a visit to Lipa, amazed by what he saw: women sewing clothes, a pepper plantation, rabbits up for sale. “It’s inspiring to see people, regardless of their situation, involve in many different things,” he noted. In his final report, he described that he gained a wider understanding of poverty and its consequences. Aside from learning about microfinance, he appreciates his “firsthand experience” in the Filipino culture, from eating balut to traveling to different parts of the city and nearby provinces. “The people are very hospitable,” he shared. “I observed that Filipinos are also very expressive of their emotions.” At present, Gerbrand is working on agricultural loans with the Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI), another microfinance institution in Cabanatuan City. He will finish the rest of his internship in this organization.
Gerbrand Haverkamp stands tall in a picture with the staff of San Pablo branch.