misfa newsletter oct12 f - microfinance investment support ... · october(2012...
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October 2012
Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan
Rural Outreach TUP is part of the Rural Microfinance and Livestock Support Program (RMLSP), a collaboration of MISFA and IFAD. Piloted in Bamiyan, TUP is now being replicated and improved in Badakhshan, covering 800 members of 300 rural households.
TARGETING THE ULTRA-‐POOR (TUP): HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT Since the launch of the TUP program two years ago, it has been improving the quality of life of some 700 ultra-‐poor households in Bamiyan and Badakhshan provinces.
The latest survey of project participants conducted from April to August 2012 indicated a dramatic improvement, not only in their livelihood potentials, but also in the overall wellbeing of their families.
Households, once in despair, are now engaged in livelihood activities in livestock and agriculture. A total of 400 ultra poor women received relevant assets in kind to begin their chosen income generating activity, such as cow and sheep rearing, or vegetable growing.
Moreover, the survey indicated that during the five-‐month reporting period, a total of 97 children from 81 TUP member families were admitted to school to study in first grade.
Some TUP members have also started saving money. Following a series of savings awareness seminars, around 125 participants reported saving a portion of their income regularly.
TUP participants receive a monthly subsistence stipend of AFN 1,500 as a short-‐term income support until they can get their enterprise going. They also avail of basic healthcare and a two-‐year package of training inputs, including classroom-‐based enterprise development training, weekly home visits, hands-‐on training and regular refresher courses.
TUP Survey Highlights (April-‐August 2012)
• 95% of TUP members know the location of public services (banks, schools hospitals, vet clinics, govt./NGO offices)
• 90% report positive changes in social credibility (more positive regard from husbands and neighbors)
• 80% report better mental health conditions
• 70% of TUPs have solar- generated electricity in their homes
• 40% report home improvements (purchase of appliance, e.g. TVs, and house repair)
• 10-‐12% of TUPs report gaining some knowledge about presidential election
A TUP member in Bamiyan benefiting from the income she generates from livestock rearing
This is MISFA’s e-‐newsletter. MISFA is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) established in 2003 as a vehicle through which the Afghan government and international donors could channel technical assistance and funding to build and strengthen Afghanistan’s microfinance sector.
Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan www.misfa.org.af | [email protected]
PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Comedian and radio drama star Mamnoon Maqsoodi
MISFA continues to expand its public awareness campaign through radio programs aired across the country. MISFA and the Killid Group has recently produced info-‐drama programs intended to increase public awareness of microfinance.
The programs will be broadcast by five local radio stations in the central provinces: radio Safa in Jalalabad; radio Zuhra and radio Kaihan in Kunduz; radio Rabia Balkhi in Mazar; radio Sadai-‐e Jawan in Herat and radio Killid in Kabul, which has nationwide coverage.
MISFA’s public awareness campaign through radio is now in its third phase. The first phase was focused on client oriented news features. The second phase targeted the introduction of the microfinance in Afghanistan and its history through five-‐minutes dramas in Dari and Pashto.
This third phase highlights the process of loan taking and client eligibility for loans. The themes of the current drama series showcase what microfinance, if used properly, can do to change people’s lives.
The drama program features famous Afghan artists, including, Mamnoon Maqsoodi, a veteran comedian
and a famous radio personality and voice, well known for his comedy TV show, De Kundi Zoy (son of a widow).
The drama series has four episodes and each episode and will be aired in Dari and Pashto for two months.
LEGAL AWARENESS WORKSHOPS Also part of MISFA’s overall advocacy is its legal awareness workshops, which are being conducted regularly since 2010.
Legal awareness workshops are designed for the staff of MISFA’s MFI partners, local authorities, community elders, and other stakeholders.
Legal awareness workshops are conducted bi-‐monthly. Thus far, workshops have been held in Kabul, Mazar Nangrahar, Laghman, Herat, Parwan and Kapisa provinces.
One fundamental outcome of this initiative is the improved coordination among stakeholders; particularly the encouraging support extended to MFI partners by local authorities in resolving legal and law enforcement issues.
Participants in the September legal awareness workshop held in Mazar