GROUP 4Kakalisao Gram

Observations

Group 4 – Kakalisao GramHISAL – Concern Project 3 partners (FIVDB)Unnayn Mohila FederationUnion: Kakailsao Sub-District: AjmiriganjDistrict: Hobiganj

CBO member: 1050Present CBO: 999Self Help Groups under CBO: 74Management Committee: 11Registration of CBO: Aug 2008Registration from Dept’ Womens Affairs: 2008Project endL: 2011

Fund Disbursement

• Total Loan Received by PKSF to CBO: BDT 2.8m• Total Current Revolving Fund: BDT 3.5m• Maximum loan amount per member: >8000tk• Loan Received: 772 Loans disbursed• Repayment Interest = 9% • Interest 4% PKSF, 5%CBO• Interest is not distributed to members but

retained by CBO• 74 Self Help Groups deposited 1.05m BDT in

savings

Observations continued…

• Successful disbursement of funds to self help groups at low rate of interest – CBO is functional to some extent

• Reporting system and documentation is sound• Strong active, all female executive committee• Constitution and terms of reference developed• 2 paid employees• CBO is represented in Local Gov’ Groups

Sustainability

Issues of Sustainability• Women feel they need a further 5 years of support they want help

and reward• They can no longer continue on a volunteer basis and feel they

need at least 5 paid positions. The women see a dilemma to continue as they have their own problems and face resistance from husbands and local Immam

• Their husbands say they bring no reward to the home so why would they spend so much time involved with the CBO. Some even incurr expense (travel etc)

• The CBO only functions in a financial capacity, the women feel no responsibility for the other intended aspects of CBO as outlined in constitution: social (dowry, early marriage, sanitation, safety nets)

• Many of the problems became more acute when concern withdrew support

• Households had very few assets – asset transfer should be included

Recommendations• Cap the maximum financial capacity of the CBO – growing funds

become more difficult to manage – need for capacity building• One possibility – slightly increase interest rates to generate more

profit to provide small stipend for executive committee. BUT this would detract from original purpose of CBO to offer low interest loans.

• All woman involvement in Exec. Committee is extreme and generates resistance from men. Change composition of committee to include some men but still female dominant

• From 8 members only 1 was smiling – we want to see more smiles

• Health shocks, nutrition and dowry remain a huge problem to be focussed on – increase involvement in social activities (use profits)

• Manageable size of CBOs should be considered in future