DATE: September 2020
Proect Titled: REVOLVING LOAN TO EMPOWER RURAL WOMEN IN LIBERIA - #38278)
LOCATION: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Prepared By: Learning Squared -Liberia
Phone: +231(0)886828014
+231(0)777171654
Email: info@learningsquaredlib.org
Website: learningsquaredliberia.org
INTRODUCTION:
This report covers activities implemented during the period under review. (June-September 2020). This project seeks to address some of the economic challenges rural women face by providing an opportunity through our social microfinance program to increase rural women's income-generating activities. The program provides women with a revolving loan to generate income to provide for their families. This report reflects activities including assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the revolving loan program, next phase of intervention for our participants
2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the revolving loan program
2.2 Next step of the project
2.4 Recommendation, constraints, and conclusion
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
1.0 Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the revolving loan program
Learning Squared Liberia conducted a five-day field assessment of the social microfinance project in Margibi County in August 2020. The assessment aimed to determine the level of achievements, impact, and analyze the current situation caused by COVID-19. Participants and program staff reviewed the project to determine the relevance and level of achievement and recommendations for the next phase. The project's review session brought together over 40 participants, including community, youth, and women leaders.
During the field assessment visit, questionnaires were distributed to participants to review the project's success and challenges. To also identify the impact of the project, especially before and during the outbreak of the pandemic. The questionnaires were to explain better how the project helped women generate incomes for their families' upkeep and contribute to their children's education.
Our survey report showed 80% of women were satisfied with the project's management and success and that it was beneficial to them. It provided an opportunity to get their children back in school and start their small businesses. 7% of the participant has relocated to other communities. 13% had commenced loan payment before the pandemic outbreak and are now serving as ambassadors of the project. Making a short remark at the review process. The head of the group, Yamah, lauded the organization's efforts to provide the training. Women can now boost of skills to run their small businesses and save to send their children to school.
Participants recommended establishing a literacy and numeracy programs and trade school to provide women the options to venture into other businesses. Yamah also recommended on behalf of the group that participants were in urgent needs of personal preventive equipment and supplies.
2.0 Next Step forward:
Due to the outbreak of the COVID- 19 in Liberia, and government restrictions on movement. As a way of keeping citizens safe. Beneficiaries could not undertake any form of a business transaction. Women were unable to pay back the revolving loan, and due to financial hardship, they had to use the loan money given them to survive during the COVD-19 period. As noted in our review process, beneficiaries have become more vulnerable in their communities since the outbreak pandemic.
As a way of trying to solve the current challenges faced by the beneficiaries, the following recommendations were put forward to Learning Squared:
3.0 Constraints:
There were some constraints and challenges during the period under review. The stay home restriction by the government to respond to the spread of COVID 19 in rural Liberia. Several calls for humanitarian relief to families, lack of PPE, and health supplies in rural communities. Women are unable to make school fees payment for their children due to hardship. Most women depend on hand out to take care of their daily needs, including food.
Recommendations / conclusion:
Thanks to GlobalGiving and other partners for the continued support. Thanks to the community leaders, teachers, and volunteers. Including students and parents, for the level of commitment shown towards the fight against COVID 19. Learning Squared will continue to be reached out o our partners to provide opportunities for women in rural Liberia
INTRODUCTION: This report covers activities implemented under the Project mentioned above. Covering the months under review (February 2020 –May 2020). This Project seeks to address some economic issues faced by single mothers and other venerable women in two communities in Margibi County, Liberia. It also trained and supported rural female family heads of households, in providing additional income-generating opportunities. This report also reflects interruption by the CONVID-19 pandemic as 90% of women who had received loans, are constraints to use the fund for hardship.
2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Interruptions on payment on loan due to COVID-A9
2.2 CONVID 19 awareness with the women's group
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIE
2.1 Interruptions on payment on loan due to COVID-A9
Giving Liberia a struggling economy amid the COVID-19. Learning Squared Liberia has witnessed and or experienced a huge set back in implementing the small business loans program for single and venerable mothers in the project area.
A total of 30 women in two communities received over two thousand dollars ($2,000.00USD) as a start-up kit to mothers to empower and improved their income-generating activities. This program helps develop entrepreneurial skills, resilience, and families' ability to be self- sufficient.
Our beneficiaries signed an agreement on the payment terms, as low as $500.00LD (Liberian Dollars), which is (USD 3.50) weekly. That is paid into the organization's mobile money account by the chairlady of the group. Learning Squared Liberia has established a mobile money account with both GSMs in Liberia for collecting its loan payment. A recent mobile conference call meeting with our beneficiaries has shown an enormous challenge. Our beneficiaries raised the numerous concerns about the payment of the loan due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the women complained that they had used the loan to provide food for their household as regular businesses were not permitted by Liberia's government because of fear of the spread of the virus while doing business. Learning Squared Liberia as a humanitarian organization could not demand the women's payment by looking at the situation in the country and worldwide.
This Project has beenable to impart over 1500 indirect beneficiaries and 30 women as direct beneficiaries. It is with a sense of humanity and compassion that Learning Squared Liberia and its partner are thankful that rural communities have collectively benefited from the organization program. Strategies are put in place to review the program after the activities are normalized.
2.2 CONVID 19 awareness with the women's group
Learning Squared and its partners have reached out to community members about the safety and protection of their families and communities during these difficult times. Radio messages and text messages sent regularly out to create awareness about the pandemic. Informing the community how to stay safe.
Constraints: The team's main challenge was the restrictions on movement and follow up field visits to monitor or collect data due to the CONVID 19 outbreak in Liberia. And the many challenges on our beneficiaries and the inability to repay the loan due to the COVID-19,
5.0 Recommendations/conclusion: Thanks, and appreciation to our supporters, donors, GlobalGiving, local communities, and schools for the level of commitment shown towards the successful implementation of the Project.
Learning Squared Liberia
PROJECT Report: Revolving Loan Support Rural Women in Liberia (38278).
DATE: January 29, 2020
LOCATION: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Prepared By: LSL-Liberia
Phone: +231(0)886828014
+231(0)776828014
Email: info@learningsquaredlib.org
Website: learningsquaredliberia.org
INTRODUCTION:
This report covers recent activities implemented under the above-mentioned Project covering the months under review (November 2019 –January 2020). The project ‘Revolving loan to Support rural Women in Liberia’ begin its pilot phase in Minor Community, Kakata. Margibi County, Liberia. This project which seeks to address some economic issues faced by single mothers in the community will train and support rural female family heads of household including strengthening and providing additional income generating opportunities for them. This report reflect loan payment and monitoring.
2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
2.1 Loan payment in Minor Community
2.2Project/ small business monitoring in Kakata
2.4 Women’s Meeting and additional training on small loan management
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
Loan payment:Loan payment in Minor community completed during the period under review, the total of 13 women in minor Community received the amount of $40.00 USD each for the establishment of small business that will empower them to continually keep their children in school. These 13 women are parents of the children that are presently on Learning Squared Liberia scholarship program in Margibi County. The total of $520.00 USD was given to these 13 rural women as a way of empowerment and a long term project for the advancement of their children’s education in the community. This amount will be paid back within the period of six months to the organization which will provide space and funding for additional women in the community to join the project.
The next phase payment will begin with women from the palm bush community also in Kakata city. These women are also single mothers of children on the scholarship program in the community. These women will also receive the amount of $40.00 each to start a small business or farm that will enable them provide school fees and uniform for their children at the end of the project. The total of 30 women are expected to benefit from this project from the two listed communities below:
Project/ Small Business Monitoring: Learning Squared Liberia begin its monitoring on small businesses established by women from Minor Community in Kakata. Upon receipt of the first loan payment, beneficiaries begin the process of establishing a small business in the community. These women begin a small table market with rice, oil, and other cooking items in the community. Other women went back to the soil with the planting of cassava, eddoes & potatoes which will be ready for harvest in three months. During the monitoring process, the team also monitor and encourage women to save daily that will enable them to purchase new goods and payback the loan on the giving time.
Women’s Meeting and training: During the period under review women from both palmand minor communities attended a one day join meeting and training section in Kakata city, Margibi County. These women were able to bring out issues faced by the first group of women who receive their loan payment. The progress made and challenges were discuss with total of 27 women in attendance including three counties authorities and the program team from Learning Squared Liberia. This training which lasted for three hours provided women with additional information as regards to the project and it implementation. Other women who have begun engaging the soul express happiness for the loan project and said that it is a good way to begin their life again after a long time without business and products on the farms to plant and harvest.
4.0 Constraints:
There were few challenges that the project team encounter during the period under review, the lack of vehicle for the official use of the organization is leaving program staff to travel through public transport vehicle/motorbike which most times delay before reaching the project site.
Also, the high demand for the implementation of the project in other communities is also a high challenge where other women that were not selected for the project is requesting to become a part. Lastly, language barrier is also a challenge as women in the community frequently communicate through their native language leaving the team speaking through an interpreter.
5.0 Recommendations / conclusion: Thanks and appreciation to our supporters, donors, GlobalGiving, local communities and schools for the level of commitment shown towards the successful implementation of the project. Learning Squared Liberia remain open in working with all women in the community and Liberia at large.
INTRODUCTION:
This update covers recent activities implemented under the above-mentioned Project covering the month under review (August 2019 –October 2019). Activities were held in Kakata, Margibi County, Liberia. This update reflects the beginning of the rural women’s loan project payment in Minor Community, Kakata, Margibi County.
2.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH:
2.1 Signing of MoUs and other project documents;
2.2. Joint Meeting with both women’s group in Kakata City;
2.3 Organized meetings with DEO and community women on project related issues;
2.4 Women’s project payment phase one begins.
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW:
Signing of MoU & project documents: The women of both Palm Bush and Minor Communities completed the signing of MoUs and other project document that makes them fully involve with the loan project. These documents include the following; 1. Commitment Forms, this form is to ensure that all members of the group fully commit themselves to the loan payment and is witness by a reputable member of the community.2 The Bio-Data Form, this form is a complete self-information of each member of this group. 3. The child protection policy document and the MOU that both the women and Learning Squared Liberia signed. The total of 30 women are on the pilot project. 17 women from Palm Bush community and 13 from Minor community.
Joint Meeting: Learning Squared Liberia conducted 2 combine meetings with both palm bush and Minor communities, the purpose of the meeting was to explain the full intend of the loan project and payment plans. During these meetings, women of these communities were encouraged to take this project as their own and work hard to pay back the loan on time. Also, parents were informed that children benefiting from the project last year will also be a part of the scholarship program this year .
Stakeholders Meeting: During the period under review, Learning Squared Liberia facilitated five (3) town hall interactive sessions with County and District Education authorities, policy makers and local and community leaders in the project areas.The purpose of these meetings was to provide complete information to all stakeholders and policy makers on the loan project and payment plans.
These meetings which brought together over 230 persons in the two project communities was very interactive open to all participants, question ask and participants spoke on other issues and promise to work in line with Learning Squared Liberia loan and other policy.
Women’s Loan Project. Learning Squared Liberia begin loan payment to women of Kakata, Margibi County under the titled; Revolving Loan Support Rural Women in Liberia. This project which is aim at supporting rural female heads of household to strengthen and provide additional income generating opportunities for their family and community, which brought improvement in the quality of life of rural women whose children are benefiting from our educational program.
The total of 30 women of Kakata city has begun receiving loan payment of ($50.00USD) as a way of sustaining themselves through improving their businesses and creating income to further sustains their children’s education. Women of this community are involved cash crops production, and other agricultural activities.
4.0 Constraints:
There were few challenges that the project team encounter during the period under review, Increased in the demand for the project to other communities and high cost of transportation for volunteers and staff, due to the bad roads condition during the rainy season in rural Liberia, Our team had to travel on motorcycles to get to communities and schools.
5.0 Recommendations / conclusion: Thanks, and appreciation to our supporters, donors, GlobalGiving, local community for the level of commitment shown towards the successful implementation of the project. Learning Squared Liberia continue to receive calls and appeal from other communities for similar intervention. Hope we can get more donations and contributions to increase the number of women on the program.
The attached report highlights activities undertaking on the above mentioned project. The report higligts impacts, achievemtns , success stories and challenges during the period under review
Activities included . training and offcicial launch of the program in margibi county Liberia. Topics included saving, payment , meetings and other procedures. The program seek to train training and support 15-30 female rural heads of household to strengthen and provide additional income generating activities in their respective communties. The one year pilot phase will work with female heads of house women who have their children benefiting from our program.
Kindly see attached a full report of the report for your easy reference
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