|
|
|
|
|
have the software. Bill Sherry and Yachaspa editor Ray Brown have gone that
extra yard in filling the gaps. Both are much more
computer literate than I am and the increased efficiencies
have allowed me to focus on other matters.
We have
also been undergoing a transfer to a bona fide independent
treasurer, Jim Olson. One efficiency factor holding us
back is that NPCA is not equipped to do electronic transfers
of funds. NPCA has reported that this will be changing
as soon. They, however, seem to have budget problems every
year which cause delays. We hope that by the end of 2003 we
will be extensively using electronic transfers in our
operations. It will be great when our membership base
reaches the point where we can use electronic transfers to
sell Bolivian and Peruvian items off of our web site. This
would cost another $25 a month with Earthlink, the e-mail
service for Amigos de Bolivia y Peru. (A lot of PCVs worked in
developing arts and crafts only to have the marketing break
down a year or so after there was no longer a PCV working on
their marketing.)
Because of the virus, the web site
for Amigos de
Bolivia y Peru was non-existent for a number of months. Once
again Bill Sherry stepped forward. Although he works as
much as twelve hours a day putting out Peace Corps On Line,
Hugh Pickens also played a vital role in the transitions of
Amigos de
Bolivia y Peru
during 2002.
Transitions anticipated for 2003 include
the relationship with Alianza de Amistad, (Peru), the
Bo |
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
livian Women's Association (greater Washington, DC
area) and careers focus. Assuming that the recent
returnees (1990-present for Bolivia and 2003 - for Peru.) are
more computer literate than most of us, we need to increase
their numbers in Amigos and continue decentralizing (spreading
the work around) and increasing efficiencies at the same
time. Going from being a hands-on PCV to a member of
what is largely an alumni association is somewhat deflating.
RPCVs don't seem to start taking an interest in what we're
about for ten to twenty years after their return. By focusing
on careers, what we've learned and passing that along is one
way of shortening the time before joining Amigos de Bolivia y
Peru. One other
change for 2002 is that before we relied heavily on NPCA for
our recruitment, including the NPCA "free" members (recent
returnees). Bill Sherry and Kate McPeek now do this for
Amigos.
No Kantuta Projects awards were made during
2001. This money was used as a reserve for the
SharePoint experiment. We contributed $396 to Pro Mujer
in the Puno and Juliaca areas of Peru. $396 to Pro Mujer
in four departments of Bolivia and $396 to FUNDESIB's soil
conservation projects in ten villages of the Montero area
between Cochabamba and Oruro. We made contributions to
these projects before. Pro Mujer, founded in Bolivia in
1990, has provided training and credit to over 35,000
clients. Over the last decade $45 million has been
disbursed in loans and clients have saved $2.3 million.
In 1998 Pro Mujer Bolivia achieved 100% self-sufficiency,
which compares fa |
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
vorably with its peers in Latin America on the measures
of productivity, profitability, and
sustainability.
Founded for two years in Peru, Pro
Mujer is becoming established in Puno and Juliaca, along the
shores of Lake Titicaca, working with women whose primary
language is Quechua or Aymara. Pro Mujer Peru has loaned
more than $2.4 million to more than 10,000 clients.
These clients have an arrears rate of zero.
A problem
Amigos de
Bolivia y Peru
faces doing our own projects is that we waited too long.
Most of our working contacts in our host countries are dead or
ancient. Our project ideas are based on what we worked
with decades ago. Bringing recent returnees with fresh
projects and contacts will have advantages in this
regard. Micro-credit for micro-enterprises is
impressive. More needs to be done that are sustainable
at the next levels to give major boosts to the dynamics of
economic niches. This will involve more Intranet
efficiencies and major fund raising of various forms to make a
difference. We don't have decades!
Fiscal
Report
Income:
Dues: $1709
Interest: $
9
Donations: $ 240
Total
$1958
Expenses:
Regular $1566
Kantuta
$1188
Total
$2754
(Balance $249--for transfer to Kantuta Projects
and/or other special |
|
|
| | |
|
