BRAC Microfinance: aka "drive me bananas"

Jimbo and I had a very busy week last week and this is the first time since Sunday(a week ago) that we have been in town. We celebrated Halloween with Indian food and beer on Saturday and continued treating ourselves on Sunday with a movie and popcorn. A very fun way to celebrate Halloween and GA/FL (too bad we lost!), but it was hard to leave the dark, air conditioned theater and return to the reality of life in Africa outside.

Let's see, then Monday we went to BRAC Microfinance institution and spoke to the head honcho about acquiring a loan for Jacques and the refugee cooperation. He said that he would allow his people to loan to a refugee since we presented his case with such passion. Then he asked us if we wanted to volunteer a week of our time to go and see the Pygmies and then write a proposal on how BRAC could start a branch there with them....like what kinds of things they need and skills they have. This meeting was very exciting. We would love to volunteer a week of our time to doing that. What an awesome opportunity! He gave us some phone numbers and sent us on our way with high hopes...but you know Africa....

Tuesday we went to the local BRAC branch in our area and found the place flooded. I mean flooded. They don't call it the rainy season for nothing. There was no way to get to the office without wading through the water...and that is what Jimbo did (regardless of me telling him how dirty the water was, and how we could just wait, but he wanted to go, so he took off his shoes and waded all the way to the office.) I did not. I know better than that. Well, actually I took my shoes off and touched them to the water and then someone else said "but it's dirty" and I thought "I KNOW! what am I doing?!" So I put my shoes back on and waited and watched person after person come across the rode, see the flood, debate for a second, and then just wade through the water. We are in Africa....you have to do what you have to do. Anyway, we waited for 4 hours for the loan officer, she finally came and we set up and appointment for Thursday morning for her to come see Jacques, the business, and the school.

Thursday morning, we woke up very early as she asked us to be there at 7am. Luckily no water, but guess what, no loan officer either. When she had still not arrived at 9am I called her...and do you know what she said....."I'm sorry. I'm not coming. My boss said that we don't loan to foreigners". CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! This is why Jacques needs help and advocates! He has papers for his business, for his land, letters of recommendation from 3 Local Charipeople and a document signed by the King (things many Ugandans don't have!!!) and they say no! Well, you can imagine how upset I was. So I immediately hung up with her, called her boss and told him that I had met with HIS BOSS and his boss said it was O.K! Not only that it was o.k. but he supports the idea and wants us to work with him! (I am going to ask if I can volunteer to write a proposal to start a branch strictly for REFUGEES!)

So the loan officer quickly called me back and we scheduled an appointment for her and her boss to meet us at 9am on Friday. I was feeling a little proud of myself for not letting her brush me off so easily. Then we met on Friday, Mr. Musa was somewhat nice and it took a lot of convincing on my part, but he finally agreed to come see the business. We scheduled that Laya, the loan officer would come with Jimbo at 2pm and then Musa would come on Monday. But guess what, Jimbo showed up at the office to escort Laya, and she did it again. She said, "Sorry I'm not going to see anything, my boss said we don't loan to refugees". Well, my blood was boiling when Jimbo arrived at the shop with no loan officer. I mean I was HOT! I called the head honcho, Musa, and Laya and expressed my outrage at this discrimination. (Of course in a very sweet, respectful, stern Mollie voice) The big man, said he would talk to Musa and ask him to help me, and so Musa scheduled again for Monday (yesterday) but said he would not promise to come see the business.

Monday - we took Jacques this time, all necessary documents and letters, and a lot of energy. We waited for 2 hours, and finally he showed up...with some back up force. But we pleaded a very good case and guess what...they ALL CAME TO VISIT!!! He and his colleagues saw how hard working Jacques is and how many people, families and children, he is helping and AGREED TO A LOAN! Is is a small loan but a huge step! We are so excited. This was a huge feat as Jacques has continually been rejected by microfinance institutions due to the fact that he is a refugee. Refugees are humans too, they just got a tough draw!

You cannot imagine the frustrations that come about here. But they are actually kind of fun. They give you insight into how the world really works. I'm so glad that the office was flooded and they treated us so poorly so many times, so that we can have a better perspective about the reality of refugee life. Success wouldn't be as sweet if it wasn't a little difficult!