FMI Agro-loans: This month, FMI farmers continued working in their fields. For the most part, the farmers are doing well and should be able to repay come harvest. FMI Agro also held its first 4-day Business Management Workshop in Block C. Participants came from Blocks C, D, and F to take part. The workshop covered such topics as Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Successful Business Strategies, and Creating Business Plans. We plan to teach one workshop each month, rotating Blocks each time. In April, the workshop will be taught in Block D. The Block H Project Coordinator assisted in teaching the workshop.
The FMI Coordinator attended two Mangana Cooperative meetings this month. The Coordinator will be taking leave soon for resettlement interviews but is still waiting for the exact dates of the interviews.
Additionally, the PM recently met with the head of Community Services at the UNHCR compound to discuss one of our agro-loan clients who is also a Community Services employee. This client took the biggest loan of Intake I and has not paid anything back to date. Mr. Chavula, the head of Community Services, indicated that he would be willing to meet with FORGE and the client together in hopes of outlining a new repayment plan.
FMI Small-business loans: Former-FMI staff members continue to visit clients sporadically but no one has paid. The PM and staff members sent out letters to 8 especially outstanding clients this month, indicating that they must make a payment by April 15th.
Future activities and projections:
In the first week of April, the PM will be meeting individually with all of the remaining agro-loan clients from Intake I to discuss a new repayment plan upon harvest. Hopefully, we will be able to recover a large amount of the remaining balance from Intake I around May/June.
Substantial problems or issues:
One of the farmers in Block F has come forward to tell us that maize has been stolen from his field. It is a significant portion of his crop, and the FMI Officer has visited the field to confirm. He is a trustworthy and hard-working client, and we are considering a partial default on his loan come harvest. The FMI Officer will re-evaluate the maize in his field when it is time for repayment.
Wishes or requests:
None.
Budget:
Please see expense monitor.
