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Partner and Volunteers Case Study: Series of short-term volunteers supporting Sri Lankan micro-finance federation.
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WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT FEDERATION - HAMBANTOTA, SRI LANKA
Women’s Development Federation (WDF) is a micro finance institution, managed by women, and situated in one of the most economically deprived districts in Sri Lanka.
WDF's Mission is:
“The promotion of women’s participation in development through social and economic empowerment, helping to improve their institutional and technical capabilities for the proper management of available resources."
WDF was established in 1989 and currently has a membership of over 32,000 rural women. The objectives of the WDF are savings mobilization and investment. Member Women’s Societies make up 69 Janashakthi (‘People’s Strength’) Bank Societies, which are designed to function as banks and provide credit for women’s small business enterprises.
Challenges Worldwide has been working with WDF over the last year reviewing and assessing areas of their work where they need support. CWW has then translated this into a series of capacity building assignments which are being delivered by volunteers from the UK who are spending up to 3 months working alongside WDF. 4 professionals have been recruited to share their skills and experience to support the organisation build better networks and improve performance in key areas. The project is being managed by CWW and is part of a Scottish Executive funded scheme which not only aims to provide free consultancy support but also to build better links between NGO’s and the business community in the UK and Sri Lanka.
ASSIGNMENT 1: June – September 2007
Thalia Liebig - A project manager from Brighton, Thalia designed and facilitated, with the aid of a much needed translator, a project management training course for 12 managers. She also put together a basic monitoring and evaluation methodology and contributed to the drafting numerous funding proposals for new projects. Read Thalia's personal account of her time with WDF here Thalia case study
ASSIGNMENT 2: October – December 2007
Andrew Mackintosh-Walker An investment manager with Rathbones Investment Management, Andrew is assessing and implementing improvements to WDF’s micro-finance programme, with special reference to the impact of the new Rural Finance Sector Development Act. This work will enhance the access to financial systems for the 37,000 poor rural women who make up WDF’s membership.
ASSIGNMENT 3: November – December 2007
Francesca Walford- A qualified EFL teacher, Francesca is teaching English to key staff to enable improved access to the international development community in terms of information resources, liaison with donors, proposal writing and external promotion of the work of WDF.
ASSIGNMENT 4: January – March 2008
Anne Murray- Head of Workforce Development with the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Anne will implement improved human resources management and development systems. This will provide an effective structure in which WDF can retain and get the most out of it’s staff, supporting its future development.
CWW’s role is to link these professionals with the organisations overseas who need their skills, then facilitate and manage sharing of skills into sustainable and practical assignments. CWW will continue to work with WDF once these volunteers have left to meet any further organisational development needs. CWW will also support returned volunteers to use their learning, insights and links back here in the UK.
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If you are interested in doing a Placement similar to this one, contact us quoting Case Study Reference: Microfinance Sri Lanka (WDF)
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