Going Micro
James 2V16
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is that?" James 2:16
TYPICAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS!
Who manages MICRO*POWER?The field staff, managers & micro-agents of JHM Global Ministries.
How are the women qualified?
Through screening, diligent evaluation, interview and research into their intended trade as well as full consideration of their social/matrimonial circumstances.
What types of schemes are there?
There are three main types of MICRO-EMPOWER schemes:
a] Personal
b] Partnership [Limited to 2-4 people]
c] Cooperative [For 5-25 people]
Do you know these women well?
We support women within our communities who are well known and have the community support and social support structure to ensure success.
What is the minimum amount you empower them with?
Empowerment starts from as low as $10 US Dollars.
What is the maximum starter CAPITAL amount granted to a woman at a time?
For individuals: $25-250 US Dollars
For partnerships: $250-500 US Dollars for a group of 2-4 Women partnership.
For Cooperatives: $500-$1,1,500 US Dollars [6-12 Women]
Are these seen as loans?
No, we look at them more like a refundable grant.
Do you charge interests on these funds?
No, not a penny!
Are these funds at risk at any time?
Anytime someone starts a new business, there are always risks involved.
What if they don't repay the money back?
The circumstances would be re-evaluated and terms of the agreement reviewed to find an amicable solution. In case of extreme sickness. Acts of God or death, as with all grants, it is considered lost.
Who supervises these women whilst they are using the funds?
Field managers & supervisors and peer advocates.
What is peer advocates?
These are village elders and peers within the community who act as our third layer of fudiciary supervisors to ensure that the woman has access to help, advise and support. Peer advocates are very effective in their role as community supervisors and it works.
What is the success rate for this sort of scheme?
It traditionally ranges between 98 to 98.5%
Do you give larger capitals to women?
Outside of the already set parameters, no!
How do you help them at the start so that they don't use the money for family need?
Within another scheme that we have under the PRECIOUS MOTHERS program, we provide the women with food and grocery support for her family for the first 60 days so that she does not dip her hand into the business grant.
Do they open a bank account to pay back into?
Yes, where plausible, our agents assist the women with opening a savings account to make payments back into and to keep their profit safe from harm or abusive spouse. However typically most women do not live near a bank at all. There are no banks in most villages communities.
Why do they not just go to a bank?
These women do not hold properties, collateral, equity, credit references nor can they prepare a cash flow forecast which traditional lenders require, plus the interest rates alone will cripple these meek traders.
Surely there are other loan sources they can approach?
Yes, there are but the LOAN SHARKS that exist charge
Are you an official bank then?
No, we are not!
Do you approve every and any type of business or trade?
No, we approve only trade & businesses that has a chance of succeeding within the community the applicant lives in.
Do the women have to have experience in the area chosen?
No always though it will be an advantage if they do have such experience.
Do you lend to cooperatives?
Yes, we do.
How will you make sure the funds are not at risk?
We try our best to employ the strictest management principles that minimizes loss and have strong micro-fudiciary practices in place to ensure success.
Can a woman return to ask for a second loan to expand her business?
This is not a routine arrangement as we wish to empower many women and give priority to those who have not yet had a chance but in some circumstances, such a grant may be considered.
What is the pay-it-forward concept about?
It is where a woman who has succeeded with her business and has saved up some funds but wishes to place in with us so that we can pass it unto another woman in her community.
Do you only help Christian women?
No, we help all women and their religion has no part in that. Poverty is poverty and everyone need a helping hand.
Do the women have access to professional help?
Yes, we provide business counselors & advisers with local trading experience to help the women on their day to day challenges and such advocates are within reach in their local area.
How do you prevent people from giving & taking bribes?
Our officials are trained, dedicated, born again Christians and will not take or receive bribes from anyone. They are employed by us to manage the project.
How do I work out how many women I can sponsor/ help?
$50 US Dollars is the minimum donation required to assist a woman, so say for example you wish to donate $500 dollars, that will help 10 women.
Can I see the woman I am sponsoring and will you let her know of me?
Yes, we will send you her details and she will receive information about you too.
Can I visit the women I empower?
Yes, if you apply to participate in our Micro-Empower internships program you may visit the women. [other terms apply]
How can I go about doing that?
Please see information on our website at: www.jhminternships.4t.com
Will you keep me posted as the donation I give moves from one empowered woman to another?
Yes, we will.
Do you have a local bank that you use officially for this effort?
Yes, we do. We appoint good banks in the nations where we work to help manage the scheme.
How can businesses and companies get involved?
By becoming a project partners with us.
How can churches become a part of this vision?
By becoming our official valued partners.
Can young children and young adults participate in this scheme?
Yes, we especially encourage young adults to help us help younger women and with a donation of just $10, that will give them the chance to participate in this scheme and make a difference.
Can I send gifts to the family of the woman I support?
We do not encourage it, as we seek to give everyone equal access and equal benefit at all times.
Can I write letters to the woman/women that I support from time to time?
Yes.
Are they allowed to write back to me?
Yes.
Will I receive photos and case reports about the woman/women I/we support?
Yes, you will.
If so, how often?
Three times a year.
How much of what I give actually reaches the woman?
100%
Can I donate online?
Yes, you may use the button below or go to our donations page on this website.
Is my donation online safe?
Absolutely safe and secure.
How can I volunteer to assist you with this scheme?
Please see our volunteer section in this website for full information.
Can banks and financial institutions get involved?
Oh Yes, we welcome their support.
Will you take loans from banks to help women get empowered?
No, we will not!
Why is your 7 years plan so moderate?
We leave room for God to surprise us.
How else can I help you apart from giving donations towards the scheme?
You can help spread information about this scheme and help recruit other donors in your local areas amongst family members, relatives and co-workers.
Are you available to come and speak to our group about this project?
Yes, please send us an official invitation by phone, email or fax & we would be glad to contact you and make arrangements to come and present our program to you.
How can I/We contact your team?
You may contact us at the address below or fill the contact form at the end of this page:
MICRO*EMPOWER INITIATIVE
The Hope Farms Project Department
JHM Global Offices
Suite 160-260
10808 Foothill Boulevard
Rancho Cucamonga, California
91730-USA,
Tel: 909 463 7484
Email: missions@jhmglobal.org
Wed: www.jhmglobal.org
