Project Update: NEEDS Microfinance in Charsadda

Recently, Sadia Ijaz undertook a site visit to Tangi Charsadda to check the progress of the microfinance project with NEEDS. This offers underprivileged women in the area the opportunity to generate income through establishing small poultry businesses. There has been a lot of interest in Charsadda for this project. NEEDS has been able to provide chicks and roosters to 74 households in villages throughout the area. The key focus has been on the most vulnerable members of society, including widows and women headed households. For photos of the project, please visit our Facebook album.

Current situation

NEEDS has been actively involved with mobilizing the community through holding an induction meeting and clearly setting out the aims and objectives of the project. NEEDS has been keen to ensure female volunteers are present to encourage and organise women from the community. There has been a lot of enthusiasm for the project and a woman in the village of Haji Awal din shared that she previously did not have a source of income but is now able to run her house. Furthermore, in this village, a committee has been set up where women meet regularly to discuss issues surrounding the project.

Throughout the areas involved in this microfinance project, NEEDS is a well respected NGO and Humayun Khan (the Executive Director) has a good relationship with the locals. The activities of the organisation are communicated successfully throughout the affected villages, and there is a good awareness of the project and NEEDS staff.

Problems

One of the key aims of this project is to encourage women to set up small groups or committees to ensure they are able to support one another and offer advice about poultry or loans. Although it does appear that regular meetings are taking place in some villages, they are not documented. It is suggested that better records be kept of any meetings between members of the project.

Sadia, the site visit volunteer, felt that the conditions were below standard in terms of hygiene. It has been suggested that NEEDS can organize and run sessions regarding hygiene for the communities involved, so that the project is not compromised and the farming remains effective.

Sustainability

NEEDS has provided business training to the community, including specific training by a volunteer to female staff members so that they are able to continue to provide information and skills. Furthermore, the actual structure of the project – providing loans for a poultry business – ensures a sustainable model of development can be established. Profit combined with a 60% loan recovery rate will ensure the project is sustained on an ongoing basis.