For months now I have been trying to implement a Village Savings and Loan Program (VSLP) in an interior village in Suriname. Various obstacles have impeded its implementation but my persistence has finally started to pay off. On Tuesday of this past week, I took my first concrete step toward realizing my goal of starting the VSLP.
A few months ago I had explained the program to a fellow Peace Corps volunteer (PCV) who is living in an Amerindian village made up of about 1500 people. The village is located in a semi-remote part of Suriname and has limited accessibility to financial institutions due in part to its location as well as the financial status of the villagers. The village’s size and location appeared ideal to serve as a pilot for the program. Consequently, I was excited that the PCV was interested in possibly brining it to the people in his village.
While back in his village the PCV kept his ears open and waited for the appropriate time to present the idea of VSLP to the community. One of the most important facets of bringing sustainability to a community project is to have the project idea come from the community itself and not from an outside source pushing for the project. It was, therefore, very important that the PCV deliver the information about VSLP when he knew that the community would be receptive to the idea.
After hearing grumblings from the villagers in passing about the desire to institute a similar program, the PCV presented the idea of VSLP to some of his community members. The villagers were intrigued by what he had to say and wanted to learn more about the program. Once he knew that the village was interested in the program, the PCV contacted me and we decided to hold a meeting with the community leaders and officials.
The VSLP manual carefully details the necessary steps to take in order to implement a successful village bank. The promotion and training involved in the program are implemented in four phases. With this meeting, my colleague and I initiated what is called the “Preparatory Phase.” This three-week phase provides general information to local leaders and prospective VSLA members.
Five community members including the Capitan, a winkel (store) owner, a man working in communications and a well-known and respected man and his wife attended the meeting. For over an hour, the seven of us discussed the program and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of it for the community. At the end of the meeting it was decided that we would move forward with the implementation process and scheduled our next meeting.
The next meeting will consist of the same core group of people. I am currently translating the VSLP manual into the local language of Dutch. Translation of this document is imperative if we want the village to adopt the program as its own and not that of Peace Corps. At this next meeting, which is scheduled for Saturday, we will delve further into the details of the program. We will make an action plan based on the VSLP manual. Finally we will outline a schedule for meetings to follow and the topics to be discussed at those meetings.
A few months ago I had explained the program to a fellow Peace Corps volunteer (PCV) who is living in an Amerindian village made up of about 1500 people. The village is located in a semi-remote part of Suriname and has limited accessibility to financial institutions due in part to its location as well as the financial status of the villagers. The village’s size and location appeared ideal to serve as a pilot for the program. Consequently, I was excited that the PCV was interested in possibly brining it to the people in his village.
While back in his village the PCV kept his ears open and waited for the appropriate time to present the idea of VSLP to the community. One of the most important facets of bringing sustainability to a community project is to have the project idea come from the community itself and not from an outside source pushing for the project. It was, therefore, very important that the PCV deliver the information about VSLP when he knew that the community would be receptive to the idea.
After hearing grumblings from the villagers in passing about the desire to institute a similar program, the PCV presented the idea of VSLP to some of his community members. The villagers were intrigued by what he had to say and wanted to learn more about the program. Once he knew that the village was interested in the program, the PCV contacted me and we decided to hold a meeting with the community leaders and officials.
The VSLP manual carefully details the necessary steps to take in order to implement a successful village bank. The promotion and training involved in the program are implemented in four phases. With this meeting, my colleague and I initiated what is called the “Preparatory Phase.” This three-week phase provides general information to local leaders and prospective VSLA members.
Five community members including the Capitan, a winkel (store) owner, a man working in communications and a well-known and respected man and his wife attended the meeting. For over an hour, the seven of us discussed the program and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of it for the community. At the end of the meeting it was decided that we would move forward with the implementation process and scheduled our next meeting.
The next meeting will consist of the same core group of people. I am currently translating the VSLP manual into the local language of Dutch. Translation of this document is imperative if we want the village to adopt the program as its own and not that of Peace Corps. At this next meeting, which is scheduled for Saturday, we will delve further into the details of the program. We will make an action plan based on the VSLP manual. Finally we will outline a schedule for meetings to follow and the topics to be discussed at those meetings.
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