Winners of the Round Seven of the PPIC

May 6, 2008    

Archdiocese of Kismu Savings And Credit Scheme (ADOK TIMO), Kenya
ADOK TIMO works in Western Kenya, where a high percentage of the population suffers from HIV/AIDS. Using PPIC funds, ADOK TIMO will expand a pilot credit product which provides loans, mainly to peasant women, to produce food products recommended for supporting immune function in HIV patients. The products include goat milk, sweet potatoes, and honey. PPIC funds will also be used to expand ADOK TIMO's "Utaweza" (You Can Do It) savings account. The account is designed to encourage daily savings for one full year and can be used as a guarantee for a larger rural enterprise loan.

Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women (ADEW), Egypt
Based in Egypt, ADEW has a long history of providing women with credit services, financial training, and legal support. It intends to use the PPIC grant to expand its "Girl's Dreams Program". The program targets girls who dropped out of school or have never attended. The girls receive training on financial literacy, technical skills and personal development and health. At the end of the twelve-month program period, the girls graduate into ADEW's regular microfinance program.

Cooperative Bank of Benguet (CBB), Philippines
Farmers in spreading sustainable agriculture. With the PPIC grant, CBB plans to provide credit and training to highland youth to encourage the development of new environmentally-friendly agribusinesses, specifically sustainably produced health foods and culinary herbs. Through this pilot project CBB also plans to test new and modern farming techniques. .

Credit Union "The First in the Far East" (CU "1ST IN THE FE"), Russia
CU "1st in the FE" is the only MFI in the Russian Far East providing credit services to elderly and disabled persons. With the PPIC grant CU "1st from the FE" plans to expand their pension loan program. This program allows the clients to borrow against their pension money for meeting emergency consumption needs. CU "1st from the FE" also plans to develop a new savings product that can be used as a guarantee for loans.

Oportunidad Latinoamérica Colombia (OLC), Colombia
OLC is the only MFI in Bogotá, Colombia, providing disabled people with access to credit. With the PPIC grant OLC plans to provide training to and expand its credit program for disabled people. The training includes courses on personal relations and business management that prepare disabled people to enter into OLC's traditional credit program. With the grant OLC also plans to improve their facilities to make them suitable for disabled people.