Identifying Local Resources

Wow I always let things go until it's late at night. It's rather fun at the beginning of a blog because I don't have to worry much about lots of people reading what I write. It's true that every blog post could be improved by taking the time to do a second draft, but there's also some advantages of just saying what's on the mind. It seems perfectly okay to have very conversational post along with ones that take a little more time to develop on the same blog.

I added some links. While I was doing that I was thinking about how important it is, when thinking about developing programs to sustain micro-credit for enterprise building, that we take an inventory of resources that are local. It is good to identify the problems and challenges of the area too. But the way that loans will have a positive effect is by building on what's already there.

One of the links is to KickStart. I see now that I used and older site in the sidebar, that's because they used to be called Appro TEC, an organization which develops new market technologies to be bought by local entrepreneurs. For example they are the ones who developed that seed oil press we talked about a long time ago. KickStart believes that it's best if people buy their products rather than giving them away. One reason for their growth and success has been that the product designs are fully connected in the local economies. They are built in Africans, sold by Africans to Africans.

Not everyone is really made to be an entrepreneur and to start their own businesses. One of KickStart's products is a water pump for agricultural use. The least expensive model is over seventy dollars US. A person has to be quite serious about making the decision to buy one. So they KickStart sees people buying theri products as a way to make people think seriously about their businesses and to think about how the purchase will help them over the long term.

I also put a link up for the Village Enterprise Fund. That's an interesting organization which is working closely with Kiva. Instead of sponsoring micro-credit, like Kiva, the Village Enterprise Fund gives grants. I also put a link to Travels with Carl because it's a good idea to look at the work that Kiva and VEF are doing in the Tororo District so we can learn from their experience. Something for certain is micro-loans by themselves aren't enough: there have to be programs in place to make sure that the businesses and other uses for the loans and grants have a good chance of success.

It's important for the BSLA to consider ways of attracting investments in the community. At the same time we as an organization have to find ways to make sure those investments will genuinely help, and to find ways to help people getting loans to make money to pay them back by developing income generating activities over the long run. At the same time we have to support the efforts of the BSLA while we're doing all these things. It's quite a puzzle to fit together.

One good reason to write about the problems we're trying to solve publically is that many people can work together to help find solutions, even to help us find the missing pieces.

I think it will be a good idea to save lots of links on the sidebar here. As many organizations who are working in the same district as the BSLA and have some sort of Web page should be linked to. We're open to suggestions for links to add. Also I hope a few members will write posts for this blog and that you suggest that they do.

I haven't really gotten to the point of this post, but it's late now so I'll leave it for another day. Before I go I'll link to this post over at the Kiva Chronicles. Wow, they met Dr. Mohammed Yunus! There's a good picture too. That reminds me, I need to add the Grameen Foundation to the links. Okay tomorrow;-)