It
is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Cees
Oskam on Saturday December 11th after being hospitalised
from November 21st.
The
late Mr. Oskam had just spent four days in Geneva from November
16th to 19th attending the ECLOF Board annual meeting. This
meeting also marked the conclusion of his second and final
term as Chairman and election of a new Chairman. In an emotional
farewell dinner, board members and staff paid tribute to
his leadership since he took over as Chairman in 1990. He
had guided ECLOF from the difficult days of the late 80s
and early 90s to the dynamic programme that we see today.
Microfinance
and mission 
By
Rev Eunice Santana
José
cannot work anymore. Some years ago he lost his job when
the pineapple growing industry in his area collapsed because
the pineapples had lost their sweetness and were no longer
profitable.
Indian
Voices
SUEB
in an NGO partner of ECLOF which lends to the poor women
for microenterprises. They have launched a parallel organisation,
Self Help Federation, through which the women save and
lend among themselves for consumption and other needs.
The village women have total ownership over the money
in their selfhelp group. The women speak for themselves
(1 US$= 43 rupees).
Dealing
with a falling dollar
By
John Banda, Director, ECLOF Zimbabwe
The
economy in Zimbabwe has been unstable since the collapse
of the Zimbabwe dollar (Z$) in November 1997. Analysts
claim this collapse was due to high speculative demand
for foreign currencies which coincided with the closure
of the tobacco sales floors, the main source of Zimbabwe’s
foreign earnings. The Z$ fell from Z$17 to Z$26 to US$1
and during 1998 continued downwards until last December
when it reached Z$38 to US$1. The country’s central
bank decided to support the Zimbabwe dollar at that level
as it considers it is highly undervalued. The bank believes
our currency should be trading at Z$22 to US$1.
Christoph
Stückelberger
At
its annual meeting in November 1999 the Board elected
Rev. Dr. Christoph Stückelberger as its new Chairman
to replace Mr. Oskam who has completed his two terms tenure.
Mr. Oskam said he was particularly glad at his election
and wished him strength and joy as he steps over his shoulders.
He was warmly welcomed by the Board members.
