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Youth Entrepreneurship Program in rural Guatemala
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“Please, have a seat Addison. I have just approved 25 individual loans for the day and will be with you in a minute.” It was 8:15 on a Thursday morning when I walked into my boss’s office for a meeting. Due to the lack of warm, instant coffee and the chilling weather outside it took a moment to sink in but then it dawned on me. I was part of an institution that changes people’s lives.

I had just begun my fifth month with ASDIR (Association for the Development of Rural Communities) in secluded Totonicapán, Guatemala. Earlier, in June 2008 I was invited to work with the micro finance institution to become the first foreign intern. The communal organization that served as my home for six months was founded in 1988 by a handful of men and women working to develop nearby villages and communities. Today, the institution provides loans, services, and educational programs to more than 2,500 clients in rural communities throughout the departments of Totonicapán (42 communities), Sololá (18 communities) and Suchitepéquez (29 communities). ASDIR is a partner of Katalysis Network located in Stockton, California.

During my internship I have worked with staff to develop and implement a Youth Entrepreneurship program for the youth of Guatemala. ASDIR is pioneering one of the first programs to work with rural young men and women ages 10-30 offering professional training, technology instruction, and seminars. Further, the program assists those who wish to design and execute social projects to benefit communities. ASDIR’s primary goal and focus is to provide individual and group loans to young men and women who wish to begin their own business.

In retrospect, it is difficult to mention everything I have learned for this internship has introduced me to the world of micro finance. There remain, however, experiences I would like to stress as I reflect on six months in the Western Highlands. In August 2008, I was invited to attend the Fourth Central America Microfinance Conference in Guatemala City, Guatemala hosted by Redcamif. Panelists included an array of professionals in the micro finance industry from Accion International, Finca International and Ford Foundation, to name a few. It was during the three day conference I learned how citizens in Central America and across the world benefit from products and services micro finance institutions offer. It was a reassuring feeling to discover that ASDIR, although small in size compared to the larger, more international institutions, has a substantial impact on the lives of its clients in the occidental region of Guatemala. A month before the event, however, I had the opportunity to experience the power of micro finance institutions and their life-changing abilities while I was working one Saturday morning. It occurred when two women walked into the office and met with a credit advisor to begin the process of applying for a loan. Speaking in the native tongue Quiche, it was hard to follow the conversation but by reading the reactions on the faces of the women it was easy to understand they had never been happier. If put to use in the correct manner the money could be used to increase their income, improve their living conditions, remodel their home, or simply provide a better education for one of the five children that were crawling at their feet. It was during the thirty minute conversation I witnessed the impact of a small loan.

The countless times I traveled with staff to ASDIR’s branch offices in the tropical climate of Suchitepéquez or mountainous setting of Sololá has taught me how far the institutions products and services reach. I visited rural communities only accessible by truck and yet there were times when travel by foot was the only option. It was a heartening feeling to learn how hard ASDIR employees work to reach their clients.

Although my internship may end in January 2009, I am grateful to have begun my professional career with a fine institution so dedicated to its mission in such a novel setting. I would also like to thank the Pacific Fund and everyone involved at Pacific for making my experience unforgettable.


Addison Embrey
addison.embrey@gmail.com
ASDIR
Totonicapán, Guatemala
November, 2008

December 17, 2008 | 1:24 PM Comments  0 comments





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