Nuru Impacts Ethiopian Women Through Financial Inclusion

Nuru Impacts Ethiopian Women Through Financial Inclusion

By Kassim Feleke | October 13, 2015 | Financial Inclusion

Our trainings are participatory and provide a much-needed opportunity for wives and daughters to come to their own conclusions about the importance of household budgeting and taking out loans. — Women participating in training: Through its partner cooperatives, Nuru Ethiopia offers participatory Financial Inclusion (FI) trainings that provide a much-needed opportunity for women to come to their own conclusions about the importance of household budgeting and taking out loans.

Microsavings is the first priority of Financial Inclusion (FI). Our Field Officers train committee members to handle cash responsibly with minimal interference from our staff. Nuru provides the skills and startup materials. FI members carry it out. We still have a way to go before committees are fully able to handle all aspects of handling savings and loans. But they are already doing the most important parts of the process, including accepting cash and recording deposits. — Women at a savings group meeting: The top priority of FI is to facilitate microsavings for Nuru households. Nuru Field Officers enable cooperative committees to offer microsavings by training them to accept cash responsibly, record deposits, and eventually handle all aspects of savings and loans.

For market research we rely on local experts, FI members, and sellers at the markets that our Income Generating Activity (IGA) loan borrowers use. Calves are by far the most popular (and lucrative) IGA supported by Nuru. — Ethiopian Woman stands with her cow: For market research on what income generating activities’ (IGA) loans to offer, Nuru relies on local experts, FI members, and sellers at the markets frequented by FI members. Among member households, calves are by far the most popular—and lucrative—Nuru-sponsored IGA.

Loan disbursement is the most exciting time for FI members at the cooperative. With Nuru support, our co-op committees approve basic business plans, distribute cash, and monitor repayments. — Women meeting with their cooperative: Loan disbursement at the cooperative is an exciting event for FI members. With Nuru support, cooperative committees approve basic business plans, distribute cash and monitor repayments.

186 women have started IGAs using funds borrowed from Nuru-sponsored cooperatives. — Woman pictured with her goats: 186 women have started IGAs using funds borrowed from Nuru-sponsored cooperatives.

Women attend experience-sharing trainings to observe successful cooperatives in the region. They continuously improve their skills to ensure our cooperatives stay in compliance with local laws. — Women FI members attend regional trainings to share their experiences and observe best practices from successful FI members.

Tags: Nuru Ethiopia | Photos | Ethiopia

About Kassim Feleke

Nuru Ethiopia Financial Inclusion Field Officer

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