Keeping the Promise ... to the hen ladies

Sometimes in development we do get to stay connected to the change process that we ostensibly work for. Today I visited a 2010 client and saw the dry run of their "keeping the promise" presentation to the funder USAID. The presentation will highlight the significant systemic and programmatic changes they have made in response to my rather critical evaluation of their integrated literacy and microfinance project.

They will demonstrate how they have managed to turn some liabilities into assets. The Community Bank for example was introduced too early and in a too complex lending role. It is being transformed into a deposit mechanism for external capital investment -a seven million dollar Japanese contribution is waiting at the gates.

This may be change we may be able to believe in.

Maybe.

Because it is change rooted in greater reality. And in openness to discussion of new risks - like loan delinquency.

They are ready to make the pitch.

Such discussions about change are helpful to have with ourselves from time to time. Do we believe in the personal change we are trying to make? What is holding us up? A little semi-rigorous analysis goes along way.

Once you have determined that there are no trees within 50 kilometres you can confidently rule out charcoal making as a viable home business. And the widely endorsed Kabul-e platitude that there are “not enough fresh chickens” is enough information to justify unreserved micro lending to hen ladies.

At least in the short term.