Karakol update
In the weekly postcard last Saturday, (Oh, the humanity), I mentioned that I had met up with Hugh Coulter and his wife Jean, (who run fund raising efforts for an orphanage and two Microcredit funds in Karakol), and that they promised to distribute the regular quarterly update on their various activities.
Well, the report has arrived and I am happy to post a copy here: Karakol_orphanage_update May 2011.T
There is a strong emphasis on projects to maintain the sustainability of the orphanage. Those who have read my previous postcards on the orphanage, (for example: Karakol Orphange, Karakol Orphanage and Microfinance update and A little goes a long way!), will know that I think is one of the aspect of this particular “good cause” so appealing. There is a real attempt to plan for the future and consider ways in which the orphanage can fund itself and not rely on charitable donations and handouts. There are, however, problems such as a mystery disease which hit their flock of hens, thus reducing the supply of eggs laid.
Another problem is the effect of inflation, price rises provide enough problems for those who are in work and receiving a salary, but create even greater problems for organisations like the orphanage that, (despite the attempt to raise income from various activities), still rely heavily on the goodwill and donations of others.
This has become a real problem in recent times. The newsletter gives a graphic example of how some charities in the country are facing difficulty in finding local support as a result of the events in the south last summer. It’s not the only example I have heard of, where charities have been told something like: “Sorry, I know that we’ve helped you in the past, but all of our charitable budget is being directed to help those who suffered from the events in Osh last year.” The tragic events in Osh did result in a crying and urgent need for assistance, but it’s a pity that the result is that other good causes are left struggling and in even more dire straits than before. It stikes me as important that we don’t overlook them, or worse – forget them.
Chynara and her family are currently looking after eleven children … but the number varies from time to time. As I understand it, the idea is not provide them with a permanent home, but a place place of refuge in times of need before they can return to their extended families.
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The report on the microfinance projects give some examples of people who have received micro credits. The sums received by each of the “clients” is not large, but they provide a good example of Hugh’s oft quoted maxim at work … “a little goes a long way – especially in Kyrgyzstan“.
When I first met Hugh and heard about his projects, I was more keen on supporting the orphanage than on the micro credit funds, but the more I learn about micro credit operations, the more I understand how important they are. The newsletter gives some examples of how the “clients” have nowhere else to turn to in order to receive assistance. The banks require sureties and because of their overheads, both banks and some of the other microfinance organizations, (credit unions and so forth), can’t offer the same flexibility and levels of interest rates that these projects can.
Once again, the question of sustainability is important, and it is good to note that loans are being repaid in full and on time.
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You can download the newsletter in pdf format here: Karakol_orphanage_update May 2011.
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Bishkek