business/microfinance brigades information session september 15, 2013
TRANSCRIPT
Business/Microfinance Brigades Information SessionSeptember 15, 2013
AGENDA
•Website• Video•Overview•Ghana• Panama• Costs•On Campus
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Website: http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/gbb/
GLOBAL BRIGADESGlobal Brigades’ Mission: To empower volunteers to facilitate sustainable solutions in under resourced communities
Global Brigades’ Vision: To improve equality of life, by igniting the largest student-led social responsibility movement on the planet.
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DENTALMEDICALPUBLIC HEALTHWAT E R
ARCHITECTURE
MICROFINANCEHUMAN RIGHTSENVIRONMENTALBUSINESS
PROGRAMSTo empower volunteers, Global Brigades offers 9 skill-based programs
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Countries selected based on:• Large need in rural areas
• Strong community partnerships
• Logistically feasible
• Safe for volunteers
Needs that Global Brigades addresses:• Basic services
• Healthcare
• Economic
WHERE WE WORK
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Programs are offered in Honduras, Panama, Ghana and Nicaragua
PROGRAMS & COUNTRIES
HondurasGhana Panama
DentalMedical
MicrofinanceWater
ArchitectureDental
MedicalMicrofinancePublic Health
Water
BusinessDental
EnvironmentalLaw
Medical
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Nicaragua
MedicalPublic Health
ArchitectureDental
MedicalMicrofinancePublic Health
Water
PROGRAMS & COUNTRIESHondurasGhana Panama
DentalMedical
MicrofinanceWater
BusinessDental
EnvironmentalLaw
Medical
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Nicaragua
MedicalPublic Health
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What are the Economic Issues?• Communities lack access to any
financial system• Lack of long term financial mindset• Absence of financial literacy• Trapped in a debt cycle
o Intermediaries are only option for selling crops (coyotes)
o Minimal profit only permits minimal product
MICROFINANCE NEEDS
Formation of the Community Development Fund• Sought out communities in need based on Global Brigades existing relationships • Global Brigades discovers community leaders which are then trained to operate the CDF,
a community based bank• GB staff administers formal and intensive FUNDER microfinance training: 3 separate, 3-
day offsite modules & periodic follow-up assistance Function of the Community Development Fund• The CDF is operated by community members to serve men, women, and children of the
community. Community members are the shareholders/owners and thus invested in the CDF’s success
• With Global Brigades’ guidance, community members take ownership by investing dividends, setting interest rates, etc.
• The CDF allows community members to take out loans and open savings accounts
WHAT IS MICROFINANCE BRIGADES?
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What does a brigade look like?
PROJECT SUSTAINABILITYCommunity Selection
• Based onoNeedoAccess to financial supportoCommunity commitment
Sustainability Aspects• Community Executive Boards and Shareholders
o Community led and ownedo Operate and maintain system
• In-country staffo Train executive board members and maintain year round follow upo Develop and maintain CDF businesseso Develop future community relationships o Ensure that the books are being properly managed for loans, savings and shareso Develop an exit strategy so CDF can be sustained on it’s own
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Why Panama?
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Typical family lives on less than $3 a day
Average level of education is approximately 6th grade
Community members have access to formal markets but no resources to tap into
the markets
Communities in remote areas have little awareness of legal rights
or concepts
RURAL PANAMA STATISTICS
7.5 in 10 people in region of Torti, Panamado not have access to credit and savings
opportunities
Without access to financial resources and business education on average,
women will make less than
1 dollar/day to nothing at all
How does Business Brigades help?
Business Brigades• Through multiple 7 day brigades, community members receive financial
literacy workshops, business consulting, and loans.
• Volunteers break up into small groups to meet with business owners to work on improving business model
• Volunteers work through community bank to hold financial literacy workshops
• Each student provides a $100 donation in the form of a loan, which is later repaid to the community bank to help invest in other micro-enterprises
WHAT IS A BUSINESS BRIGADE?
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PROJECT SUSTAINABILITYCommunity Selection• Based on
oNeedoAccess to loans & banksoCommunity commitment
Sustainability Aspects• Community Banks
oCommunity ledoGB staff facilitates the creation of the banksoOperate and maintain systemoProvide continuing loans
• In-country staffoTrain community banks
o Work with community banks to hold financial literacy workshops between brigades
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How much does this cost?• Ghana: Program Contribution = $880 + Airfare• Panama: Program Contribution = $790 + Airfare
Program Contribution Details• 7 or 10 day program• Accommodations and meals (vegetarian options available)• Clean drinking water• Airport pick-up and drop-off• In-country transportation• Spanish translators and coordinators• Program sustainability and follow-up between brigades• Capital Investment Fund - $100
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION
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On Campus
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More than a trip!Weekly overall meetings – Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
• Speakers• Documentaries• Coffeehouse Discussions – TED Talks• Trip Spotlights• Breakouts (every other week)
Microfinance EducationSpanish EducationCultural EducationKiva
Other Events:• Fundraisers • Socials – dinners, hayride, parties, etc.• Hunger Banquet• Awareness Events
Questions?