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III. TRAINING PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITIES The training programme has been carefully designed, prepared and carried out so as to match the current dynamism of microfinance development in developing countries. Apart from the technical training, other extra-curricular activities were also organized to complement the learning environment and experience. The main objective of the training is to provide an instant benefit to the microfinance practitioners, especially those from African region. Upon completion of this training the trainee is expected to be able to: (i) comprehend the philosophy of microfinance; (ii) explain different kinds of micro financing services; (iii) apply different techniques to develop various micro financing products; (iv) apply appropriate method in monitoring and managing microfinance institution operations; (v) develop business plan; and (vi) gather and learn the experience of other microfinance institutions and adopt for back home application. 2. Training Substance, Methodology and Expected Output Substance The training substance was focused on technical aspects of microfinance. Subjects delivered and discussed include areas of: (a) Indonesian Economy; (b) Microfinance Development; (c) Client Targeting; (d) Products and Services; (e) Delinquency Management; (f) Interest Rate Setting; (g) Operational Risk Management; (h) Financial Analysis; (i) Business Planning; and (j) Management Information System. Methodology The training sessions were conducted participatory and the teaching methodology was based on adult learning techniques that include case studies, group exercises and discussions. Very little lecturing was used as this training was meant to be practical and of immediate benefit to the participant.
Participants were required to bring country reports from their institutions for further sharing and analyzing various relevant data and information and, to some extent, using financial information to lead management decisions towards financial sustainability. Expected Output Each trainee is expected to: § acquire a complete comprehension on technical aspects of microfinance; § acquire necessary skills to mobilize microfinance practices in his/her country; § produce an action plan to be followed-up upon his/her return to his/her organization; and § learn from each others’ experiences across the region. The technical training session is comprised of approximately 105 hours of learning throughout the 15 effective working days. It started daily at 08:30 am until 05:00 pm with 15-minute interval break twice a day at 10:00 am and 03:00 pm, and another 60-minute interval break at lunch hour (12:00 noon).
The training covered three major clusters to accommodate: (a) practical-based theories on 24 July to 3 August 2006; (b) field studies on 7-8 August 2006 to Jatinangor of Sumedang Regency and Lembang of Bandung Regency; and (c) lessons shared and preparation of back-home plan on 10 – 11 September 2006. Detail of the training agenda is attached as Appendix A. Basically there were class session and field session. The class session covered the subjects of: (a) Indonesian Economy; (b) Microfinance Development; (c) Client Targeting; (d) Products and Services; (e) Delinquency Management; (f) Interest Rate Setting; (g) Operational Risk Management; (h) Financial Analysis; (i) Business Planning; and (j) Management Information System. The field session covered various practical subjects related to the operation and management of microfinance by community-based microcredit financial institution The community-based microcredit financial institutions visited were: (a) one located in Jatinangor of Sumedang Regency, namely BMT Mardlotillah; and (b) another one located in Lembang of Bandung Regency, namely BMT Dana Ukhuwah. List of the institutions visited is attached as Appendix B. A total of 12 participants were successfully selected from 9 African countries. Due to the demanding nature of the microfinance development, the participants came from different disciplines and backgrounds that also have the requirements to capture the skills and knowledge of the current evolving microfinance mobilization. List of the participants is attached as Appendix D. Selection of the training facilitators was based on the feedbacks of the past TCTP participants and critical evaluation on the past implementation of two TCTPs; through which careful consideration and decision were made by the Organizing Committee. The basic criteria are that the facilitators should have appropriate skills and knowledge on microfinance, either as bank official or professional facilitator for microfinance development. List of the facilitators is attached as Appendix C. The Organizing Committee for this training comprised of Teamwork for Training Substance and Teamwork for Administration & Supporting Logistics from the joint-organizers. List of the committee members is attached as Appendix E. 7. Training Orientation Session An orientation session was conducted prior to the training session activities where all participants were assembled for an informal ‘ice-breaking session’ held at the NAM CSSTC meeting room on 10th floor.
The informal session was fully facilitated by Mr. Achmad Rofi’ie, the Coordinator for Training Substance. During this session participants introduced themselves by describing their names, jobs, organizations, and experiences in microfinance or microfinance-related fieldworks. Before concluding the session, the facilitator made briefing on the training agenda, subjects, facilitators, methodology, field session, administrative and financial arrangements, as well as the logistics. 8. Expectation of Participants For the purpose of evaluation and acquiring the participants’ expectations, an appropriate form was prepared and distributed to the participants. The form was filled up to indicate their respective expectations on (1) understanding the microfinance, (2) substance delivered for the different country’s context, (3) possible replication, and (4) others considered important by participants. The objective was basically to evaluate whether learning acquisition has met the expectation of each participant. 9. Post-Class and Post-Field Survey Post-class and post-field surveys were conducted each time after training subject and field visit accomplished. The objective of these surveys was to evaluate the perception level of learning acquisition of participants. The surveys basically comprised of objective (multiple-choice) questionnaires covering various elements from the training subjects and supporting aspects. Description of the expectation, post-class and post-field surveys is attached as Appendix G. Besides post-class and post-field surveys the Committee also conducted an overall evaluation at the end of the training session. The structured questionnaires were distributed to participants for their comments, followed by discussion among participants. Description of the overall evaluation is attached as Appendix G. 11. Extra-Curricular Activities Apart from attaining skills and knowledge from the intensive technical training sessions, participants were also welcomed and exposed to other extra-curricular activities that involved exchange of individual and groups relationships and cultures, as well as understanding the culture of the local communities. On the sixth day of the programme (Saturday, 29 July 2006), the Committee organized a tour visit around Jakarta from 09:00 am until 05:00 pm assisted by a local tour organizer. The participants had chance to visit Taman Mini Indonesia Indah as well, and big shopping session at Kompleks Perbelanjaan Mangga Dua (International Trade Centre).
On the fourteenth day of the programme (Sunday, 6 August 2006), the Committee organized another tour visit around Bandung, especially to see the active volcano of Tangkuban Perahu and enjoyed the Sundanese traditional dances and instantly learnt angklung music in Saung Mang Udjo. Shopping sessions to various factory outlets in Bandung were also organized to accommodate the participants’ repeated requests. |