A strategic plan to raise $500,000 for a Microfinance Program that empowers Tibetans including those that were affected by Yushu earthquake
Since our humble beginnings, grassroots efforts and individual contributions have formed the core of Tibetan Village Project and brought health care, education, and community development projects to life for Tibetans in Tibet. While TVP will continue to work tirelessly with small groups and individual hearts to meet basic needs in Tibet, especially those of the Yushu’s earthquake communities, we seek to go beyond short-term goals and plan for the future. Our Compassion in Action Campaign supports our bread and butter work and provides a framework to decrease aid dependency while increasing empowerment, sustainability, and cultural preservation.
A business in tent in Yushu
Why establish an income generation program? In the last decade, the Tibetan economic landscape has undergone a traumatic amount of change, one that threatens the survival of the Tibetan people and their precious culture. A new marketplace dominated by commercial interests and capital has replaced subsistence farming and traditional arts. Furthermore, those areas hit the hardest by the Yushu earthquake are predominately inhabited by native Tibetan’s, leaving the culture of traditional communities at increased risk. With strategic assistance through TVP’s microfinance program, Tibetans can gain the proficiency and means to supplement their traditional livelihood with business interests that meet both community needs and the rapidly changing economic paradigm.
What is the background of TVP’S microfinance program? TVP’s Compassion In Action Program embodies the old adage, "give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life.” We provide culturally appropriate skills training, business management education, and small loans to responsibly assist individuals and families create successful businesses. Since 2006, TVP has trained over 30 Tibetans in traditional arts and motorcycle mechanics and provided business management training and micro-loans to 25 businesses (see success stories). Now TVP is ready to improve and expand our program by collaborating with socially conscious groups. These include local NGOs, business associations, herder and farmer’s coops, local governments, vocational training centers, and communities that act as “Village Banks.” TVP plans to accomplish this goal by acting as a catalyst and offering skills training, business education, micro lending, and capacity building workshops.
What is TVP’s microfinance model? TVP’s model has been inspired by Gramen Bank, and has been crafted to explicitly address our unique situation in Tibet. Trained TVP coordinators work regionally with small collections of villages to cultivate partnerships and educate prospective borrowers on the intricacies of our microfinance system. Depending on the type of business and loan size, borrowers form a group and demonstrate a viable business plan. Approximately 2/3 of group members will receive a loan; remaining participants become eligible only after successful repayment of the original loan principle and interest. TVP formed a group in the Nagchu region of Tibet in 2008 as a pilot program with its first six borrowers. This program is successful as all of the businesses were able to sustain themselves; there were no defaults on loans and the group started on second round of loans. Other approaches TVP has utilized have included Intermediaries, or ‘go-between’ organizations operating between the lender and borrower (such as TVP’s local NGO partner) and going straight to the Individuals, the simplest and oldest credit-lending model where small loans are given straight to the borrower.
Fundraising Goal: To cultivate an integrated income-generating program that tackles growing economic marginalization, rampant poverty, and cultural collapse, TVP has plans to raise $500,000 as part of our Compassion in Action Campaign. This fund will allow TVP to increase its loan capacity from about 10 businesses per year (average loan size of $2500) to 30 businesses, provide at least two business management trainings and support few local staff members annually for next three years.
Invitation to Support: TVP invites you to become part of our effort by giving a generous gift today. If you are interested in receiving more information about our program such as past loans, lending procedure and process (Application Package), strategic plan or a specific proposal for a targeted group, please email your request to TibetanVillageProject.org. Thank you and Tashi Delek.
By Credit
By Wire Transfer
By Mail
Great Western Bank
2775 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302-3811
Account # 154528
Routing #091408734
Tibetan Village Project
10542 Kipling Place
Westminster, CO 80021
What is TVP’s microfinance model? TVP’s model has been inspired by Gramen Bank, and has been crafted to explicitly address our unique situation in Tibet. Trained TVP coordinators work regionally with small collections of villages to cultivate partnerships and educate prospective borrowers on the intricacies of our microfinance system. Depending on the type of business and loan size, borrowers form a group and demonstrate a viable business plan. Approximately 2/3 of group members will receive a loan; remaining participants become eligible only after successful repayment of the original loan principle and interest. TVP formed a group in the Nagchu region of Tibet in 2008 as a pilot program with its first six borrowers. This program is successful as all of the businesses were able to sustain themselves; there were no defaults on loans and the group started on second round of loans. Other approaches TVP has utilized have included Intermediaries, or ‘go-between’ organizations operating between the lender and borrower (such as TVP’s local NGO partner) and going straight to the Individuals, the simplest and oldest credit-lending model where small loans are given straight to the borrower.
