FORGE Hub Coordinators work with FORGE Camp Operations Teams during their Training & Fundraising Phases, facilitating curriculum, advising in project development, and offering support in fundraising.
Forge Executive Director Meets KK
FORGE Team Coordinators lead the Camp Operations Teams during their time in Zambia. Team Coordinators organize daily activities, facilitate logistics, and offer guidance on project implementation.
The FORGE Micro-Finance Program
The FORGE Micro-Finance Program represents FORGE’s Microfinance division. In its first year of existence, it has provided loans to 112 individuals, allowing them to transform their lives through economic self-sufficiency.
The FORGE Micro-Finance Program is very different from traditional microfinance initiatives. Instead of simply giving and recollecting loans, the FORGE Micro-Finance Program ensures that all of its loan recipients are fully prepared to start a small business. Before receiving their loan, all loanees must go through a two month and training process.
The educational curriculum was developed in conjunction with highly experienced academics and is taught by FORGE’s exceptionally talented and well-trained refugee staff. The curriculum focuses on entrepreneurship, business principles, accounting skills, all specially-tailored to the African refugee small business setting.
With hundreds of new loans in the works for 2007, the positive impact of the FORGE Micro-Finance Program is expanding quickly. The FORGE Micro-Finance Program, led by International Relations Director Esther Chou (FORGE Meheba ’05), Communications Director Nayeli Vivanco (FORGE Meheba ’06), and Operations Director Pete D’Aleo (FORGE Meheba ’06), is on the rise.
The FORGE Micro-Finance Program began when Esther Chou, a FORGE Meheba 2005 veteran, returned to Zambia in late 2005 in order to investigate the best ways to implement an entrepreneurship & micro-finance initiative in Meheba. From Zambia, Esther worked closely with Nayeli Vivanco and Pete D’Aleo to design business skills curriculum and a loan model that best suited to community of Meheba.
Their work was guided by the expertise and support of Northeastern University Executive Professor Dennis Shaughnessy.Upon arriving in Meheba, Nayeli & Pete immediately got to work with Esther, building a the FORGE Micro-Finance Program office and selecting a staff. Over the next few weeks, the three directors carefully trained the staff and opened the institute to enrollment.
The FORGE Micro-Finance Program’s students and loan-seekers proved to be a huge success. The FORGE Micro-Finance Program’s loan repayment rate stands at 94%.Currently, all three FORGE Micro-Finance Program directors are refining the FORGE Micro-Finance Program model, marketing the program, and raising the funds necessary to expand classes and loans further into the future. For more information on the FORGE Micro-Finance Program please click here.
April 23, 2007 at 5:56 am
Super Ken is one of the world’s most formidable individuals. What a great asset the big man is and what love for humanity … thanks a trillion
April 24, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Very few men can come close to KK, he is a great statesman
April 24, 2007 at 11:30 pm
He made his own mistakes but I personally think that history will judge him as Zambia’s father of democracy. He stepped down when no one forced him to, he stepped down when he was constitutionally entitled to the presidency until his term was over …
April 28, 2007 at 5:03 am
Martin.
no one could have said it better. I think bashi Panji out lived his usefulness, though
April 30, 2007 at 12:51 am
Kabwe,
… you are right when it comes to KK outliving his usefulness at the time, but historians don’t usually look at that when considering presidential legacy and Super Ken’s is almost unmatched on the continent … thanks a trillion
Martin,
… I couldn’t have said it better, thanks a trillion
Kevin,
… yes indeed. Don’t forget that Levy has also performed considerably well when it comes to statesmanship. I know you might have not expected this from one of his critics but like it or not when it comes to that, Levy is up there but perhaps he will be known later as a president who never finished what he started unless of course we start seeing him acting otherwise than his status quo has been … thanks a trillion
April 30, 2007 at 11:30 pm
KK preaches love
By CHARLES MUSONDA
FIRST President Kenneth Kaunda yesterday reiterated his call to Zambians to spread the messages of love.
Dr Kaunda said Zambians should observe biblical commandments of love. He said this at a church service to mark his 83rd birthday at Kalingalinga orphanage in Lusaka.
“You must observe the commandments that say you must love God with all your mind, soul and body, and that you must love your neighbour as you love yourself,” Dr Kaunda said.
The former President said he was touched by the people who turned out to pray for him.
“This is a touching moment for me.
You left your homes to come and pray for me.
I feel humbled and God will bless you so that you can continue worshipping him in this way,” he said.
Dr Kaunda was optimistic that God would heal Kalingalinga orphanage Bishop Adamson Mulimine who suffered a stroke recently.
“I only realised yesterday (Saturday) that Bishop Mulimine suffered a stroke,” he said.
Earlier, Bishop Mulimine said the orphanage was looking after 350 orphans and vulnerable pupils from nursery up to Grade 12. “The place is becoming too small to accommodate everybody. So we send them to other places,” Bishop Mulimine said.
He praised Dr Kaunda for his achievements in his 27-year rule of Zambia and described him as an outstanding African leader.
Bishop Mulimine said God had preserved the former President ’s life for the benefit of the country. He said even at his age, Dr Kaunda was still a leader in his fight against HIV/AIDS.
And a freedom fighter, Cuthbert Kolala, challenged Dr Kaunda, second President Frederick Chiluba, and incumbent President Mwanawasa to forgive each other if there were any differences between them.
Mr Kolala said Zambians would benefit from love and unity between the two former Presidents and the incumbent.
Mr Kolala said Dr Kaunda was an outstanding leader who had contributed greatly to the liberation of many countries in Africa.
http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/press/news/viewnews.cgi?category=3&id=1128063253