"ENGAGE NOW AFRICA"

We are in in the process of getting better acquainted with Engage Now Africa, an organization started by Elder Bob Gay, a former partner at Bain Capital and current member of the Quorum of 70's over PEF.  

Elder Gay was a Mission President in West Africa 10 years ago and he and his wife, Lynette, started their work in Nigeria shortly after that service. It has now spread to 16 countries in West Africa.  It's almost impossible to come to Africa and not start trying to figure out how to help these sweet people, to give them tools to grow within a difficult infrastructure and life challenges.

It was fascinating to hear how their organization has grown as micro credit has been extended and people trained to start businesses of their own.  They also work with education, medical needs, human trafficking and other areas.

Their micro loan program is patterned after the Greene Bank.  Individuals who are given micro loans to begin or expand their businesses are organized in groups of 10 under the direction of a facilitator.  A group leader is selected who is responsible for collecting the payments and holding weekly meetings of the participants who help and encourage each other. The facilitator trains them in basic business practices and responsibility, then they mentor each other. The success of each participant affects the group, so they work together to stay motivated and pay back their loans. They have spent years developing this process and are very successful with a 92% repayment rate.

Loans are made normally from between 500-1500 cedis.for a period of 10 months. (3.7 cedis to $1 currently). Repayment begins before they receive the loan and continue throughout the 10 months.

Once it is fully repaid he/she can apply for another loan. After 3 years he must then move on.  If he has a good record and is considered a good risk, he can be loaned 5000+ cedis and can proceed individually, outside a group.  

One woman who started in this program has developed a very sought after car painting business. That's their biggest success story!

There are currently at least 90 such groups of 10.  They mentor as they can but their focus is the small companies.  

Engage Now Africa is interested in getting help with training their facilitators and possibly some research and mentoring for their better -established companies as they grow. The Idaho E-Center may be able to help supply interns and take on special research projects as needed. 

This is a wonderful, enthusiastic and committed group and fun to work with!

 Afasi Komla , Country Director

Paul Smith, helping briefly from the U.S., Francis Ansah & Cecilia Amankwah