CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

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Experts urged MFIs Branch Managers to Mobilize Internal Resources for Sustainable Microfinance Operation

Branch managers and employees of microfinance institutions were encouraged to mobilize more resources in their hands for reliability of financial resources supporting for lending the target group and sustainable growth of microfinance in a three-day training on "Internal Resource Mobilization and Management" organized by the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) from August 21-23, 2022 (Bhadra 5-7, 2079).

In a special session, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha, Chairman of the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) advised the participants to go to the doorsteps of the poor and underprivileged women to serve their needs of self-help development with strong commitment to capacitate them to become entrepreneurs. He said microfinance should not be deviated from its philosophy and fundamentals. "When we started microfinance, we wanted to help the poor who were economically and socially backward and weak. We did not start microfinance for personal gain. Microfinance initially produced very positive results in poverty alleviation. At that time, microfinance practitioners were heartily devoted to apply microfinance values and principles. Now, microfinance became profit-driven and lost its popularity and image in communities. I remind, the field staff then were paid very low. You are now paid a good salary and numerous other benefits. But now efficiency is at the bottom level and you do not seem happy, this is strange. The target group are not cared and served well. You care for your betterment and forget to enjoy on changing the poor's way of life. Money is not always the source of happiness." Shrestha said.

He further said, "Microfinance in Bangladesh is adhering that was followed by the Grameen Bank when it started microfinance program in 1976 AD. As a result, the organization is now strong, and the employees' future is bright. Employees' children's future is also secured. However, microfinance in Nepal has abandoned all values, beliefs, principles. Microfinance in Bangladesh has accomplished a great deal with limited resources. Despite our abundance of resources, we have not been able to do much for the target group. This is due to our way of thinking, attitude and wrong way of working. Rather than bettering our services and serving the right target group, we tend to search well off and emphasized on bigger loan to earn more income for more profit. Microfinance institutions that provide loans in Bangladesh are located in the members' hearts. Our members have begun to carry placards and raised slogans against us. The current anti-microfinance movement is also a result of distortion in our working modality and deviation from the mission. "

The training was facilitated by Mr. Satish Shrestha, Director and Senior Officer Ms. Renu Prajapati of the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD), Mr. Ram Bahadur Yadav, Chief Executive Officer of National Microfinance Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd., Mr. Dipesh Shrestha, Management Expert, Mr. Rup Bahadur Khadka, Senior Officer of RMDC Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. and Mr. Umesh Man Dangol, Human Resource Head of Mero Microfinance Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd.

During the three-day training, all the trainers delivered messages on the importance and need for internal resource mobilization as well as the factors influencing it, methods for strengthening and measuring internal resource mobilization, dealing with customers and needs for following positive thinking, strengthening communication skills for branch managers. Discussion also were made on stress management techniques and sales skills. In the three day training, the trainees were exposed to total of 9 theoretical as well as the practical sessions.

Speaking at the opening session of the training, Mr. Bechan Giri, Executive Chief of the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD), stated that for the success of any organization, mobilization and proper use of resources are the key factors.

Mr Satish Shrestha, the Director of CSD Chaired the closing session suggested that the Corporate Social Responsibility fund in the branch or organization should be used properly for the welfare of the economically weak members. He also advised to put learning of the training into practice.

The training organized after Corona Pandemic was well attended. The participants said, this program has energized them well and motivated to work for the target people at the top of all and then the wellbeing of the organization. They observed that knowledge gained during the training was very useful and practical.

The training was attended by 30 branch managers and officials from 13 different microfinance and cooperative organizations.

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