Marta Lindvert, a student from Sweden, writes about her experience with ECLOF Ghana

 

Dear New Horizons,

My name is Marta Lindvert from Sweden. I am a final year student in economics at Mid-Sweden University. I have been curious about microfinance for some time but had not known much about how it works until last year. During the fall (autumn) of 2005, I had the opportunity to do a field study with ECLOF Ghana at its offices in Accra. I was mostly interested in understanding how ECLOF's work was being financed, and how ECLOF Ghana was working towards financial sustainability. My plan was to collect information for my final thesis through interviews with staff and clients.

The director of ECLOF Ghana, Magnus Amoa-Bosompem, and all the staff were very patient, generous and kind. I had originally planned on staying for six weeks but extended my stay for another two weeks.

I am a Christian, and I knew that ECLOF was a Christian-based organization, although it provides financial services to people irrespective of their religion. I was positively surprised to see that the Christian faith really runs through the whole organization. I accompanied those who work for ECLOF Ghana in most aspects of their work, including devotions, staff meetings and monitoring clients. I also accompanied members of the team during a one-week trip to Tamale, in the north of Ghana, for the celebration of the UN International Year of Microcredit. I was able to see both Accra and the rural areas in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

There is a lot going on in the field of microcredit in Ghana, and I would love to go back in a couple of years to see how things have evolved. I also liked Ghana as a country: nice friendly people, good food, good teaching in church – pretty much all one could ask for!

I will finish my thesis at the beginning of this summer. From seeing the good job being done in Ghana, I have become inspired to get involved in microfinance myself. I am thankful that I had this opportunity, and also thankful that I got connected to ECLOF Ghana.

Marta Lindvert

 

During her time with ECLOF Ghana, Marta Lindvert (centre) visited many ECLOF clients, including these women from the Tema Area Fish Processors Association.