September 30, 2004

Dear liaison person,

The UN General Assembly has proclaimed the year 2005 the International Year of Microcredit to draw special attention to this alternative way of financing that is common in some places around the world but little known in other places. The NGO Office would like to highlight the role of microcredit in poverty eradication on our website next year, and invites all in the IBVM-RSCJ family who are interested to help us shape this issue.

Because we do not know how much interest and experience there is with microcredit among IBVMs and RSCJ, we have drawn up some questions to start the conversation. We kindly request that you disseminate this letter among your members and other appropriate networks. We are looking for stories and testimonies from persons with first hand experience in their own local setting and country. Responses can be sent directly to either one of us by email, fax or regular mail. We appreciate receiving them by November 30, 2004.

Thank you very much for your participation.

Evanne Hunter, IBVM Cecile Meijer, rscj


Questions

1. Do you have ministerial or other experience with microcredit (micro-finance)?
   If yes, what are some of the challenges? Success stories?
2. How would you describe the recipient(s) of a microcredit loan?
   How does/did a microcredit loan affect the person(s) involved?
   How does/did it affect their community
3. From your own experience, what are some of the values of microcredit? And some of its draw-backs?
   How would you describe the social impact of microcredit?
4. How do you see microcredit as a vehicle for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular in relation to women and the eradication of poverty?