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Social Impact Assessment of Microfinance Programmes - weman

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Figure 3.1: Asasah’s Target Market<br />

Asasah’s Target<br />

Market<br />

P<br />

O<br />

V<br />

Destitute Extreme Moderate Vulnerable Non-Poor<br />

Wealthy<br />

E<br />

R<br />

T<br />

Y<br />

3.1.4.1 Protective Loan<br />

This loan was started in the summer <strong>of</strong> 2006 and is for the extremely poor households<br />

who are earning less than Rs.2,000 a month. The product is still in its pilot phase and<br />

given to groups <strong>of</strong> 25-30 women. The purpose <strong>of</strong> the loan is to protect households from<br />

poverty and starvation. The loan size ranges from Rs.3,000 to Rs.8,000 and can be used<br />

to fulfil basic needs. The duration <strong>of</strong> the loan is 12 months with an interest <strong>of</strong> 20 percent<br />

and the instalments have to be paid fortnightly. According to Asasah, the main objective<br />

<strong>of</strong> this loan is to bring the poorest <strong>of</strong> the poor in the economic mainstream by helping<br />

them initiate a micro productivity process at the household level and that this bottom<br />

category <strong>of</strong> the poor does not feel neglected and deprived. Once a member completes the<br />

protective loan cycle, she becomes eligible for a productive loan.<br />

By September 2006, Asasah had given out 1,772 loans and disbursed around Rs.10<br />

million. The average loan size (ALS) <strong>of</strong> this category stands at Rs.5,840 and is only 12<br />

percent <strong>of</strong> GNP per capita. Therefore, we can see that this loan category is for the bottom<br />

poor who have restricted absorptive capacity.<br />

3.1.4.2 Productive Loan<br />

Asasah started its operations with this product; this loan is available to all members who<br />

meet the basic criteria <strong>of</strong> those who are in the moderately-poor to poor category, which is<br />

in the range <strong>of</strong> Rs.3-7,000. These members can keep renewing their loans till they reach<br />

financial sustainability or cross the poverty line. The loan duration is 12 months with<br />

fortnightly instalments and an interest <strong>of</strong> 20 percent. The loan size ranges from Rs.10-<br />

25,000 and is simultaneously disbursed to all group members. The size <strong>of</strong> the group is<br />

between 25-30 women. The loan also includes a one-month grace period. The productive<br />

loan can only be utilized for income generation purposes like starting a new business or<br />

expanding an old one.<br />

5

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