CFI'S Microfinance Program: A Self-Rated Assessment

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2012 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1.0, , course: MBA, language: English, abstract: This study determined the impact of CARE Foundation's micro-finance programs on its member-beneficiaries. The instrument used was as 'self-rating' survey designed to draw out the perception of the member-beneficiaries on the impact of CARE's programs and services to fourteen (14) important aspects of their socio-economic lives. The study used a descriptive and narrative research design. Analysis and presentation of the results used an evaluation and assessment method mainly based on the averages of the responses of the respondents. Interpretation of the results was limited on the perspectives of the respondents who were member-beneficiaries of CARE. The results of the study showed that the respondent member-beneficiaries believed there was a significant improvement in the socio-economic live of the respondents. Percentage share of 'no' responses to the total responses was minimal. The results showed a 70-30 ratio for the improvement (YES) and no improvement at all (SAME) responses. These findings led to the conclusion that CARE programs and services had a relatively significant impact on the lives of the CARE members in all fourteen (14) areas of concerns, notable of which were improvements in the quality of family life, family decision-making, social and spiritual lives, knowledge about family, self and business, dreams, personal happiness, education of the children and food on the table. It is recommended that government and other agencies should provide an environment conducive to the success and expansion of microfinance in the country.