Microfinance

Global HEED has formed a strong relationship with the Banrural Grameen Bank in Panajachal, Guatemala which is approximately 5 hours away from Calhuitz. Global HEED interns will have the unique opportunity to meet with the Director of the Banrural Grameen Bank, who has spent many years working directly with the Dr. Mohammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Laureate and the Founder of Grameen Bank.

Interns will have the opportunity to spend a day with Grameen, learning about their pioneering microfinance lending methodology as well as their core values which they instill within the women’s groups to which they lend funds. This experience will serve as a didactic component within the multifaceted approach Global HEED practices to immerse interns into the convoluted institution of international development.

Global HEED Interns will be able to:

• see the practical application of microfinance, and learn the lending methodology which Grameen employs within Guatemala and in other nations
• learn about the various entrepreneurial endeavors that Grameen’s women groups create and sustain
• ask questions about the evolving practice of Grameen, how it intends to grow within other developing nations, and how it intends to influence other microfinance institutions

Wikipedia gives a pretty good explanation of Grameen and microfinance, and their articles link to very informative further reading on the subject. To learn more about Grameen and the incredible effects of microfinance, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grameen_Bank and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfinance.

To learn more specifically about Banrural Grameen (Guatemala), find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Banrural-Grameen/137250376289611