Download - 2009 BRAC Annual Report Liberia
BRAC, a development organisation, wasfounded in Bangladesh in 1972 by FazleHasan Abed. Over the course of its evolution,BRAC has established itself as a pioneer inrecognising and tackling the many differentdimensions of poverty. Our unique, holisticapproach to poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor encompasses arange of programmes in economic, social andhuman development. Today, BRAC has grownto become the largest southern NGOemploying more than 120,000 people, themajority of whom are women, and reachingmore than 110 million people with ourdevelopment interventions in Asia and Africa.
Since 2002, we have been using ourexperiences of innovating and scaling upmulti-faceted anti-poverty programmes toenergise and accelerate poverty alleviation efforts in other countries. Currently we havecountry programmes in Afghanistan, Liberia,Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, SriLanka, Tanzania and Uganda. We also providesupport to other NGOs in Haiti, Honduras,India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Peru.
ABOUTBRAC
Contents
LIBERIAAnnual Report 2009
Microfinance 04
PartnershipsRecruitment, Trainingand Research 3028
Financials 30
24 28Agriculture, Livestockand Poultry Health
BRAC Liberia, along with BRAC Sierra Leone, is one of our newest international
programmes. Established in 2008, we have launched successful programmes in
Microfinance, Health, Agriculture, Livestock and Poultry; reaching more than 582,000 of the
poorest Liberians with our comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation and
empowerment of the poor. As the programmes expand, we are providing career
opportunities for young Liberian women eager to contribute to their country’s future. We
currently employ 161 Liberians (71% women) and have mobilised nearly 300 community
based volunteers as part of our wider team. We invest in their career development through
on-going training and capacity-building. Over the next two years, BRAC’s Microfinance
Programme in Liberia will serve almost 40,000 clients, a majority of whom are women
members. Our Health, Agriculture and Livestock Programmes will benefit not only these
borrowers and their families, but the wider community in the areas served.
BRAC in
LIBERIA
Women borrowers at a microfinancemeeting in Kakata.
2009 has been an important year for
BRAC in West Africa, as it was the year in
which we began full operations in both
Liberia and Sierra Leone. During the first
half of the year, BRAC incorporated the
BRAC Liberia Microfinance Company,
made possible with investment from the
Soros Economic Development Fund and
the Omidyar Network Fund Inc. We set up
our branch infrastructure and recruited
and trained staff and surveyed
communities to identify potential
members. In June, we disbursed the first
microloans to our women’s group
members and began providing training
and technical assistance to help maximise
their investment.
The United Nations Capital Development
Fund also contributed support to build the
microfinance company. With funds from
Humanity United, Omidyar Network and
the Foundation Open Society of West
Africa we launched programmes in
Health, Agriculture and Livestock in
November 2008. A pilot project for broiler
chicken rearers was implemented to
assess opportunities and challenges in
the poultry sector, and seed testing and
multiplication, which started in 2008,
continued at our farm in Kakata. By the
end of the year, BRAC Liberia had
successfully exceeded its targets and
continues to grow.
BRAC Liberia provides more than 160
Liberians, 71% of whom are women, with
permanent employment. In addition, nearly
300 local volunteers have been selected
and trained for our health, agriculture and
livestock programmes. These field-level
staff members and volunteers are the
human face of our work and directly make
essential services available to the poorest
people in the country.
BRAC Liberia is beginning its first full year
of operations in 2010. We will expand our
microfinance services for poor women to
new areas, introduce loans for small
enterprises, and build on our poultry pilot
project. We will also provide vaccines for
poultry, continue exploring possibilities for
expansion of the livestock programme,
and establish a regional training centre to
build the capacity of West Africans. BRAC
will also work in close collaboration with
the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
to upgrade tuberculosis laboratory
services.
Since 2008, we have developed very
strong ties with various Ministries of the
Government of Liberia. We work in close
collaboration with the Ministries of
Finance, Commerce and Industry, Health
and Social Welfare, and Agriculture, and
are working with the Ministry of Education
to develop a strategy for successful
programmes in this challenging sector.
BRAC always ensures collaboration with
key organisations and other stakeholders,
most importantly our beneficiaries.
Liberia is a country with a troubled past, a
challenging present and ample
opportunities for equitable progress in the
future. During the next few years, BRAC
will rapidly expand its activities to ensure
that greater numbers of the poorest
women and children have access to the
essential services they require.
When I visited Liberia in July 2008, I was
honoured to meet with Vice-President
Joseph N. Boakai, Acting Ministers of
Health and Social Welfare, Agriculture,
and Foreign Affairs, and other key
organisations to discuss the way forward
for Liberia. I also equally valued my
meetings with people in the rural
communities to discuss the challenges
they face. We feel that our inclusive
approach is a strength of BRAC’s
programme in Africa and Asia, and BRAC
Liberia will continue to involve
stakeholders at all levels to ensure that the
poorest Liberians have the opportunities
to fully realise their own potential.
(Sir) Fazle Hasan Abed (KCMG)
Founder and Chairperson
Chairperson’sStatement
“Before joining BRAC, I sold dried fish here at the market in Sinkor, but only‘small-small’. Life was difficult and I worried a lot. I lost my husband in the war, and had nobody to support me. I received my first loan from BRAC inAugust 2009, and life has changed a lot since then. I still buy my fish in Grand Cape Mount, which is a long journeyaway and takes me two to three days, but I can buy much more now that I have more money.
Annie Walker (49) has eight children and lives in Sinkor, Monrovia. She receivedher loan of L$15,000 (USD 214)
microfinancelivelihood development services
04/05BRAC Liberia Annual Report 2009
Across Liberia, every week more than10,000 women attend their local BRACmicrofinance meetings to repay theirweekly loan instalments, apply for newloans, buy health products from theirCommunity Health Volunteer (CHV) andreceive additional support for theirvaried small businesses.
Liberia is a country dealing with the aftermath of 14years of civil war. Survivors took refuge inneighbouring countries or were displaced, and losttheir homes and livelihoods as a consequence of thepolitical turmoil. An estimated 64% (2007) of thepopulation is living below the poverty line of USD 1per day, most of whom in rural areas.
BRAC began working in Africa in 2006. Drawingupon experiences from Uganda, Southern Sudanand Tanzania, BRAC was encouraged to work inLiberia and sent a team to West Africa in early 2008.Operations in Liberia were also launched that year.The BRAC Microfinance Company was incorporatedin January 2009 and disbursed its first loans in Juneof the same year.
BRAC’s Microfinance Programme focuses on povertyalleviation by providing affordable and easilyaccessible microloans. The essence of our approachis that in addition to ensuring access to capital, wealso provide a range of essential services that enableborrowers to develop sustainable livelihoods, accesseducation and training opportunities and mitigate lossof productivity due to disease. We call this approach‘Microfinance Multiplied’.
While Microfinance forms the nucleus of ourapproach, the supporting programmes of Health,capacity building and livelihood development throughAgriculture and Poultry, create an enablingenvironment that allows poor women, who are BRAC’sprimary clients, to break out of an inter-generationalcycle of poverty.
By adding supporting programmes to Microfinance,we can multiply the impact of the programmes to begreater than the sum of their parts.
The ‘Microfinance Multiplied’ approach supportsindividual women who serve as conduits into theirhouseholds, communities and future generations,
compounding the impact of our work and creating alasting change.
Our services are very accessible as we go directly tothe poor women we are targeting and meet them intheir villages, homes and places of work. As a result,our members avoid any travel costs and minimisetime spent away from their businesses. We alsoprovide training and capacity building for incomegeneration, thereby increasing poor women’s abilitiesto manage and expand their businesses and makethe most of their small capital and resources.
One such woman is Zinnah Kango, 49, who lives inSinkor, Monrovia. In August 2009, she received herfirst loan of L$ 12,000 (USD 171) through the BRACbranch office in Central Matadi. “Every month I buyfifty bags of coal and sell them at the market. I payback my loan every week at the BRAC meeting. Iunderstand more about doing business andcalculating my expenses so I don’t lose money. Wediscuss our business problems too. The profit I makeis about L$2500 [USD 35] per month.”
In early 2010, BRAC will also start issuing smallenterprise loans in Liberia. These larger loans forsmall and medium enterprises will be available toboth men and women. Those qualifying for this loanare slightly better off than the microloan target groupbut are still denied access to formal financialinstitutions. The small enterprise loan, unlike themicroloan, is offered directly to an individual, and isrepayable in monthly instalments.
“One really poor lady here inour community was not doingmuch; she had no businessand no job. She joined themicrofinance group and hergroup members agreed togive her a loan. She now hasa second-hand shoebusiness, and can take careof herself.”
Vera Turay (29)Manager, Kakata Branch inMargibi County
PROGRAMMEHIGHLIGHTS“The situation of many Liberian women is dire. Family ties and commitment from partners arenot strong, and many women are the sole providers for their families. Our borrowers have showndetermination and ambition; they are the backbone of the country. I salute the women ofLiberia.” R.M. Farhad, Managing Director, BRAC Liberia Microfinance Company Ltd.
PROGRAMMEACHIEVEMENTS2009
USD 1.67
10
million has been issued to more than 8000borrowers across four Counties (Montserrado,Margibi, Bong and Nimba) since June 2009.The average loan size is USD 208.
78,535households visited by BRAC’sLiberian surveyors to assess indetail the appropriate locationsfor each of our twenty branchoffices. Our most talentedsurveyors were promoted tothe position of credit officer.
404women groups have been formedfor our first ten branches with almost 11,000members. Our most talented surveyors werepromoted to the position of credit officer. Todate, nearly 90 Liberian employees have beenrecruited and trained by BRAC to operate ourMicrofinance Programme and help alleviatepoverty in the country.
branches initially established. Managers and Credit Officerstrained for a further ten branches (mostly located in rural areas) whichwill start issuing microloans in early 2010.
BRAC’s Microfinance Programme has been designed
to provide reliable access to cost effective financial
services to poor and marginalised women.
Programme Components
Women’s groups: Community partnerships and
institution-building are essential for poor people if
they are to change their economic, social and
political conditions. We deliver our microfinance and
other programmes through organising groups of poor
women who come together to improve their socio-
economic position.
BRAC microfinance branch offices conduct areasurveys and consult with community leaders andlocal elders to select the 40-60 members of eachgroup. The group is then sub-divided into smallergroups of five, each with their own elected leader.The members of the small groups take co-
responsibility to solve peer repayment problems.New borrower groups meet four times before anyloan disbursement takes place. After that, they meetweekly to discuss credit decisions with theirdedicated BRAC credit officer and make their loanrepayments. BRAC provides training and technicalassistance to its members and others in thecommunity, empowering them to earn more incomefrom existing activities and start new ones.
Microloans
BRAC lends to women who are not served by other
microfinance institutions. Borrowers range in age
from 20-50 with little or no education. BRAC lends to
women who are not served by other microfinance
institutions. Immediate objectives of these loans are
increased access to microfinance services for
marginalised families for the initiation of sustainable
micro-enterprises and strengthening of the
institutional structures for efficient and effective
management of the microcredit systems.
Borrowers typically operate businesses that provideproducts or services to their local communities.Women with seasonal businesses, such as farming-related activities, may also be eligible for shorter termloans.
Small Enterprise Programmeborrower Musu Cooper,restocks the shelves in hershop in Monrovia.
PROGRAMMEDESCRIPTION
BRAC provides more than just microfinance. We use themicrofinance groups as a social platform to deliver scaled-upservices in health, education, business development andlivelihood support – all critical components needed to ensurethat poor people can break the cycle of poverty
06/07BRAC Liberia Annual Report 2009
Key Features of a Microloann Loan repayments in small weekly instalments
n No physical collateral needed
n Loan range: USD 100-500
n Competitive interest rates
n Death benefit provided
n Services delivered to member’s village
n Available in rural and urban areas
Small Enterprise Loans
BRAC offers small enterprise loans to entrepreneurs
seeking to expand small businesses. The loans
enable owners to create new employment
opportunities and provide new services. Typically,
loans are given for trading, agriculture, livestock and
poultry, fruit production and other types of small
enterprises. These small entrepreneurs would
otherwise have limited access to the formal financial
system – too large for microloans but with not
enough collateral for commercial banks. The small
enterprise loan is offered to an individual rather than
to a group, and is available for both male and female
entrepreneurs.
Some members of the microloan scheme become
eligible for a small enterprise loan as their
businesses grow and expand and their investment
needs change.
Key Features of a Small Enterprise Loan
n Available to both male and female entrepreneurs
n Loan range: USD 1,000-3,000
n Competitively low interest rates
n Repayment mode: equal monthly instalments
Selling second-hand clothes/shoes
Selling soft drinks/water
Selling charcoal
Retailing - groceries
Hairdresser/Beauty Parlour
Selling bush meat/dried fish
Tailoring
Selling rice
Selling CDs
Running a restaurant/bar
Food cooking and vending
MicroloansMost popular loan uses
1
2 3 4
Small EnterpriseProgramme (SEP)borrower David GudworJaryan opened his shoestore in Kakata with aloan from BRAC.
Borrower Louise Karwhinasells pots and cookwarein Kakata.
Tamu Pindu has a smalloutdoor restaurant inKakata which she runsusing her BRAC loan.
Microloan borrower MarieKorpelleh sells fish inKakata.
1
2
3
4
In Liberia, the majority of people areinvolved in small-scale farming activities involving the entire family such as poultry and livestock rearing and cultivating small plots of land of less than one hectare. In addition to providing poor women with the investment capital for their activities, BRAC offers training and support on modern farming techniques that cangreatly increase their profits.
livelihood development services
agriculturelivestockand poultry
08/09BRAC Liberia Annual Report 2009
As part of BRAC’s ‘MicrofinanceMultiplied’ approach, we launched theAgriculture, Livestock and PoultryProgramme in Liberia in 2008.Agriculture is the largest sector of theLiberian economy and the mostimportant source of income for women.
Liberia is heavily dependent on agriculture and
livestock to feed its people and since the sector was
largely destroyed by the civil war, its rehabilitation is
essential for the economic revitalisation of the country
as recognised in the government’s Poverty Reduction
Strategy.
In Bangladesh, BRAC has been working to increase
the productivity of this sector since 1978, developing
many supporting activities such as disease
management, the dissemination of improved breeds
and crop varieties, the supply of livestock and poultry
feed, and milk processing and distribution. Since then,
we have helped more than 4.2 million people create
and sustain livelihoods from different kinds of farming.
In Liberia, the majority of people are involved in small
scale farming activities, such as raising chickens,
sheep, goats or pigs and cultivating small plots of
land of less than one hectare. In addition to providing
poor women with the investment capital for their
activities, we offer training and support on modern
farming techniques which can greatly increase their
profits.
James Kolleh is in his early forties and a model
farmer specialised in the production of eggplant,
cucumber and bitter ball. He has years of farming
experience and is completely dedicated to his farm
and job. “I knew many things about crops, where
they grow well, how much sunshine they need and
how to intercrop. But BRAC has taught me even
more about farming. Also, I don’t need to go to the
market to buy my seeds, insecticide and fertiliser, but
tell the agriculture extension worker supervisor what I
need and he brings it to me. This saves me a lot of
time and bargaining, and I don’t need to pay until I
have harvested.”
The programme operates through volunteer
agriculture extension workers and livestock volunteers
with farming experience who are selected directly
from our microfinance groups. These female
volunteers receive intensive training, microfinance
loans and supplies to inform and assist other
farmers, enabling them to substantially improve crop
harvests and livestock yields. The extension workers
and livestock volunteers benefit from increased yields
on their own farms as well as new income from
selling services and inputs, such as high quality
seeds – to their farming neighbours.
At each branch, BRAC recruits one agriculture and
one livestock supervisor, who are responsible for
training the extension workers and volunteers, and
who supervise their activities.
Model farmer James Kollehdisplays cucumbersharvested on his farm outsideKakata.
PROGRAMMEHIGHLIGHTS
“Liberia has goats, sheep, pigs and poultry, but lacks veterinarians to cure sick animals,animal feed, or commercial poultry rearing. BRAC conducts extensive research andimplements pilot programmes to ensure a successful and sustainable livestock programmein Liberia can be introduced.” Shapon Kumar Paul, Agronomist, BRAC Liberia
PROGRAMMEACHIEVEMENTS2009
50 agriculture extension workersidentified and trained in five ruralbranches in the AgricultureProgramme in 2009.
chickens vaccinated against Newcastle disease, Gambro virus andbronchitis by livestock volunteers as an income generating activity.Livestock activities will start with the introduction of medicine andvaccination of goats, sheep, and pigs.
11,000+
5 new rural branches set-up withrecruitment, information collection andoffice space.
1,875 small-holder farmers were trained between June andSeptember as model farmers who give support to other farmers in theirrespective communities. To enable farmers to obtain better yields, ouragriculture extension workers started providing technical support and collectingrequisitions for farming materials, after which they supplied the farmers withhigh-quality seeds and fertiliser as well as the use of insecticide spraying cans.BRAC’s rural branch offices also started lending tool sets to poor farmersoperating in our areas.
6 farmers supported by BRAC for broiler rearing in 2009, and supplied with atotal of 1,000 day-old chicks and 2,500 kg of chicken feed. The rearers sold thechickens when they were fully grown.
BRAC’s Agriculture, Livestock and Poulty Programme
addresses the problem of poor crop and livestock
productivity in Liberia.
Crops grown for domestic consumption include rice,
cassava, sweet potato, plantains, yam, bitter ball,
cucumber, eggplant and ground nuts. Liberian
agriculture remains heavily dependent on rainfall, with
less than 1% of arable land under irrigation.
Traditional livestock farmers breed nearly 100% of all
cattle, goats and sheep, using local animals and
basic techniques.
Our aim is to improve the efficiency and management
of small to medium farm enterprises. The programme
is designed to increase agricultural output, decrease
livestock mortality, raise farm income, and increase
rural employment.
Agriculture and Livestock ProgrammeSupervisors
Both components are coordinated at the branch level
through dedicated programme supervisors. Each
programme supervisor receives extensive training
from BRAC on topics such as livestock and poultry
rearing and diseases (for livestock volunteer
supervisors) and improved farming practices, high
yield seed varieties and related technologies (for
agriculture extension worker supervisors). They also
attend an annual refresher course to keep their skills
updated. Once trained, the programme supervisor’s
role is to train and supervise the agriculture extension
workers and livestock volunteers who are at the core
of the programme. At any point in time, programme
supervisors can ask for assistance from the
agriculture and livestock extension officers based at
the area offices.
Agriculture Extension Workers
The primary agents for the agriculture activities are
the self-employed model agriculture extension
workers. They are required to have a minimum of two
years agricultural experience and farm at least two
King Kerkulah, BRACAgricultural ExtensionWorker Supervisor, talkswith farmers in Kakataabout proper agriculturaltechniques.
PROGRAMMEDESCRIPTION
Our aim is to improve the efficiency and management ofsmall to medium farm enterprises. The programme isdesigned to increase agricultural output, decrease livestockmortality, raise farm income, and increase rural employment.
“I dropped out of school at ninth grade because I didn’t have any money and had a three-year-old son. BRAC gave methree-weeks training on poultry. Now I go out every day for one hour and tell people that’s its important to get their chickens vaccinated. BRAC provides the vaccines and I sell them.”
Elain Konah (23), is a single mother and BRAC livestock volunteer in Kakata.
acres of land. They must be willing to work with other
low income farmers in their community and supply
them with quality inputs. The agriculture extension
workers are trained by BRAC programme supervisors
or extension officers to offer technical assistance to
general farmers operating on a small scale, i.e. less
than one acre of land.
BRAC agriculture supervisors at branch level attendmicrofinance group meetings to identify agricultureextension workers from among the members. Thelocal BRAC branch is responsible for screening andshort-listing candidates; the final selection is done bythe agriculture extension officers at the area office.
The agriculture extension workers are then provideda two-week training at the branch office. This coversfarming techniques for specific crop varieties,focusing on the entire life cycle of the crop, startingfrom preparation of the land to harvesting. When theirtraining is complete, each of the agriculture workersidentifies 250 small-holder farmers living in theircommunities with the support of the branch staff.Forty of these farmers will become model farmers,who specialise in crop production and promote goodfarming practices to others in their communities.Agriculture extension workers assist the famers ontechnical issues such as choice of varieties to grow,improved seeds to use, crop-spacing, rotation,intercropping, weeding, planting, fertilisation, pestcontrol, post harvest management, utilisation of by-products, as well as integration of crop and livestockenterprises within the farm. They also sell improvedseeds and other agricultural inputs.
Poultry and Livestock Volunteers
The poultry and livestock component also carries outcommunity activities through self-employedvolunteers. These are experienced poultry andlivestock women farmers who are selected fromBRAC microfinance groups. After selection, theyreceive extensive training in livestock husbandry,health issues and vaccinations. Training also includesthe production and conservation of fodder crops.Once trained, poultry and livestock volunteersgenerate income by charging fees for their services.With help from BRAC, they offer vaccination services,sell veterinary medicines, and provide technicalassistance to other microfinance group members andthe wider farming community. Livestock volunteersselect and assist model poultry farmers and broilerrearers.
It is through this pyramid of entrepreneurial extension
agents and structured supervision system that BRAC
can extend our services to thousands of people in
Liberia.
10/11BRAC Liberia Annual Report 2009
“I visit about ten households in our community every morning to find out if theyhave any health problems. I also give them information about hygiene, family-planning and malaria, and sell medicine, oral rehydration salts (ORS), sanitary napkinsand water purification solution. I am responsible for 220 households in total. Ialso help the community health worker tocarry out general health sessions in mycommunity. BRAC gave me training, and Iam proud of what I know now.”
Patience Scott (27) is the mother of two girls,she became a Community Health Volunteer in August 2009.
12/13BRAC Liberia Annual Report 2009
In November 2008, BRAC begancommunity activities under its HealthProgramme in Liberia. Health activitiesare based on a proven model ofcommunity health care in Bangladeshwhich is also successfully applied inBRAC’s programmes in East Africa. In2009, we trained 40 health workers and197 health volunteers to provide basichealth care in Liberia.
Like many other African countries, Liberia lacks
comprehensive healthcare. Of the 325 health
facilities available before the war, about 95% were
partially or completely destroyed. There are only 51
Liberian physicians to serve a population of almost
3.5 million, and life expectancy at birth is only 45
years. In combination with the generally poor health
status of most Liberians, caused by poverty (in 2007,
48% of the Liberian population lived in extreme
poverty), access to formal health facilities is
impossible for most people.
Healthcare and microfinance are inter-related. Poor
women who finance their small businesses through
microloans cannot afford to be ill – they have to work
every day to make enough money to feed their
families. If anyone is sick, food money is spent on
costly medicines and income is lost through non-
working days.
In order to make primary healthcare available to the
microfinance communities we work with, BRAC
launched its Health Programme in Liberia in 2008.
BRAC identified and trained 197 women from our
microfinance groups to become Community Health
Volunteers, or CHVs, and employed 40 women as
Community Health Workers (CHWs) to supervise
them. The women we select for the CHV training
show a sincere interest in the role, have been
recommended by their microfinance officer, and have
a business that gives them time to do rounds. They
are the central point of contact for the health
concerns of the microfinance group members, their
family members and the wider community. Each CHV
has the overall responsibility for 150-200 households
in her area that she will visit every month – all within
one kilometre from her home. CHVs earn a small
income from selling health care products to other
members, such as condoms, oral rehydration salts,
sanitary napkins, hygienic soap, water purification
and some medicine.
BRAC’s Health Programme takes a multi-prongedapproach to reduce the health risks for poorcommunities in Liberia. We focus on the prevention ofmalaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS, the reductionof infant and under-five mortality rates, and increasingaccessibility to health by taking health care to thedoorstep of the people.
Community Health Worker Comfort Williams Beah,37, started as a CHV and was promoted to hercurrent position in March 2009. “I dropped out ofschool in twelfth grade, and started my own tailoringshop. I always dreamed of helping people andbecoming a nurse, but could not pay for formaleducation. From BRAC I learnt about commondiseases and how to treat them. When I became aCHW, they gave me more training. I am very excitedBRAC has come in and believes in my abilities. I lovemy work and I am helping people, just like I alwayswanted to.”
A Community HealthVolunteer sells medicalsupplies to women attendinga Health Forum in Matadi,Monrovia.
PROGRAMMEHIGHLIGHTS
“Accessible and affordable health services in Liberia are almost non-existent and generalknowledge about hygiene and common diseases is limited. By visiting people at their homes,BRAC’s Community Health Volunteers play a vital role in the improvement of the country’soverall health status.” Dr. Arif Sobhan, Health Programme Technical Manager, BRAC Liberia
PROGRAMMEACHIEVEMENTS2009
100%
197
coverage achieved by our new HealthProgramme of the first ten microfinancebranches in Liberia and ten new branchesstarted in September.
39,000+households were covered byBRAC’s home visits and4,283 patients were referredto the nearest establishedhealth facility for furthertreatment and testing.
6,557Community health forums organised by ourCHWs which were attended by more than48,000 participants and covered issues such asmalaria, immunisation, TB and HIV/AIDSprevention and hygiene.
Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) trained by December 2009 and 40Community Health Workers who supervise the CHVs in their work to deliverprimary health services and health education to microfinance borrowers and theircommunities. All of them are women.
The BRAC Liberia Essential Healthcare Programme(EHC) is a scalable model of community health care.
The overall goal of the EHC Programme is to improvehealth conditions and increase access to healthservices by providing basic health services incommunities where BRAC has an establishedmicrofinance group. One member of each BRACborrowing group is designated and trained as aCommunity Health Volunteer. CHVs serve the healthneeds of the entire community, with particularattention to poor women and children.
Programme Objectives
n To increase reproductive health care services by
raising awareness, ensuring ante natal care
(ANC) and post natal care (PNC) visits, and
facility-based deliveries;
n To reduce the incidence of malaria, especially
among pregnant women and children, by
enhancing control and prevention;
n To bring positive behavioural change for
prevention of HIV/AIDS and ensuring access to
HIV/AIDS services through community
sensitisation and participation;
n To develop a community-based approach to
increase and sustain TB case detection and cure
rate as per the Millennium Development Goals;
n To improve basic sanitation and hygiene by
bringing behavioural change and ensuring access
to safe water and latrines;
Women attend one of over6,000 Health Forums inMatadi where they discusshealth issues such asimmunisation, malaria,TBand HIV/AIDS prevention,maternal health, familyplanning and hygiene.
PROGRAMMEDESCRIPTION
BRAC’s Community Health Workers and Volunteers serve thehealth needs of the entire community, with particular attentionto poor women and children
1. Health and nutrition education
2. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene
3. Family planning
4. Immunisation and Vitamin A supplementation
5. Basic curative care
6. Respiratory tract infections (e.g. pneumonia)
7. Pregnancy-related care
8. Malaria control
9. Tuberculosis control
10. HIV/AIDS
Ten ComponentsBRAC Essential Health Care
n To mobilise women & disseminate information
through village meetings and home visits;
n To collaborate with the Government to further
facilitate and strengthen the implementation of
national tuberculosis, malaria and immunisation
programmes.
PROGRAMME COMPONENTS
Reproductive Health Care
One of BRAC’s primary concerns is to improve
reproductive health care awareness and service
utilisation. To fulfil this objective, CHVs identify
pregnant women during their household visits and
refer them to nearby government or non-government
health facilities. The CHVs raise awareness of
pregnancy care and pre-natal danger signs, and
follow up to ensure that ANC and PNC visits to
health facilities are made.
The CHV keeps a check on whether her clients have
taken their Tetanus Toxoid (TT) doses and completed
the Intermittent Presumptive Therapy (IPT) course,
which is a promising treatment against childhood
malaria in Africa. She also raises awareness on the
importance of Voluntary Counselling and Testing
(VCT) for HIV/AIDS.
Malaria Control
During household visits, the CHV identifies suspected
cases of malaria and refers the patients to the
nearest government health centres. She follows up to
determine test results and see if the patient is taking
their anti-malarial medication. A relative of the patient
is put in charge of supervising the drug intake
according to their prescription. The CHV then
conducts a follow-up visit to ensure the patient’s
recovery and to make sure that the patient has not
developed further complications. The CHV keeps
records of this information in her household visit
register.
TB Control
CHVs implement a well-tested community-based
approach for increasing and sustaining TB case
detection and treatment.
During household visits, CHVs ask simple questions
related to suspected TB cases (based on
symptoms). When a suspected TB victim is
identified, the CHV motivates that person to be
tested at a nearby health facility. She explains the
dangers that TB can pose to the sick person as well
as the rest of the family. She then follows up on the
patient to determine the test results. If the patient
tests positive, the CHV can also act as a Direct
Observation Treatment Short Course (DOTS) agent.
DOTS involves second party observation of a TB-
infected person taking a prescribed course of
medication so that the patient does not default on
taking their medications, which results in drug
resistance.
Family Planning
During regular household visits, the CHV mobilises
and motivates women to use modern methods of
contraception. She provides clients with condoms.
For other temporary and/or permanent methods,
couples are referred to nearest healthcare facilities.
Community Health Initiatives
BRAC takes a multi-pronged approach to community
health education. We offer community health forums
on issues such as malaria, immunisation, TB and HIV
prevention, maternal health, family planning, and
water, sanitation and hygiene.
Basic Curative Services
CHVs are trained to diagnose and treat some basic
ailments such as diarrhoea, dysentery, common cold,
helminthiasis, anaemia, ringworm, scabies,
hyperacidity and angular stomatitis. They refer
individuals with more complicated conditions to local
public and private health facilities.
CHVs earn a small income by selling over-the-
counter medicines and health commodities to
patients and community members.
Liberian mothers likeMonrovia resident KatherineLee benefit from visits fromBRAC’s many CommunityHealth Volunteers.
14/15BRAC Liberia Annual Report 2009
“Before I joined [BRAC], I did my BBA in Public Administration and was working for a small community empowerment projectat the same time. I became a surveyor for BRAC and was then selected to become a credit officer. I was promoted to branchmanager soon afterwards and am reallyenjoying my work. If I left BRAC tomorrow, I would really have a lot ofexperience to take to a new organisation.
Elove Gbuapaye (30) is Branch Manager of the Paynesville office in Monrovia.
livelihood development services
recruitmenttraining
and research
16/17BRAC Liberia Annual Report 2009
BRAC has many young committed staffimplementing our work in the heart oflocal communities across Liberia. ByDecember 2009, we were employing161 Liberian people, 71% of whom areyoung Liberian women in their 20s or30s looking for the fast career trajectorythat BRAC offers our employees.
Jobs and volunteer positions that were advertised
and filled in 2009 included microfinance branch
managers, credit officers, health, agriculture and
livestock extension officers and supervisors, livestock
volunteers, and Community Health Workers and
volunteers. In addition, BRAC engaged 15
Bangladeshi expatriates and sector specialists to
oversee the management of our different
programmes and ensure that BRAC International’s
extensive operational expertise was available for the
benefit of the Liberian programmes.
Often a woman is hired as a credit officer for our
Microfinance Programme and can quickly progress to
become branch manager, such as Elove (see
previous page). Some women start as volunteers and
are promoted to paid positions.
TRAINING AND CAPACITYBUILDINGTraining is the backbone of BRAC’s programmes in
Liberia. As BRAC hires new staff, many of them
straight out of college, it is critical to provide them
with sufficient orientation and training. BRAC believes
in constantly investing in building the capacity of
existing staff, helping them to learn new skills and
grow within the organisation.
Training New StaffIn 2009, 160 staff members attended BRAC training
courses in Liberia. Most of the new staff will be
working as credit officers and community organisers,
spending almost 80% of their time running
microfinance meetings, community health forums,
awareness raising activities, and undertaking survey
work and monitoring. All the training is participatory
and includes brainstorming, large and small group
discussions, case study analysis, and presentations.
Training is also given to the area and branch
managers, programme officers, trainers and
community organisers for the different programmes.
We offer two types of training: operational training
and training on management and development
theory. The training needs of the programmes are
being continually assessed with frequent field visits
by the team of permanent trainers and the wider pool
of trainers.
To ensure our staff and volunteers are always kept
up-to-date on the latest developments in their fields
and provide the communities they work in with this
information, BRAC organises monthly refresher
trainings for all its Community Health Volunteers,
livestock volunteers and agriculture extension
workers. For our managers, we hold monthly staff
meetings at our country office, and for our
supervisors at their respective area offices.
All BRAC courses are conducted by professional
facilitators who have considerable experience in
training and capacity building in Bangladesh and
internationally.
BRAC Liberia researchdivision, Monrovia. AlieuFofana (right) talks withMohammed Abdus Salam,BRAC Liberia CountryManager (left).
RECRUITMENT
Microfinance Management Course 50
Basic Training for Community Health Volunteers 275
Disease-Specific Training for Community Health Volunteers 197
Basic Training for Community Health Workers 40
TB Training for Community Health Volunteers 35
Basic Training for Poultry and Livestock Volunteers 40
Broiler Rearer Training 6
Entrepreneur cum Agriculture Extension Worker Training 50
Farmer Training for Model Farmers 1,875
Branch Agriculture Extension Worker Supervisor Training 10
Branch Livestock Volunteer Supervisor Training 10
No. of participants 2009
MONITORING, RESEARCH ANDEVALUATION
BRAC Liberia benefits from a regional Research and
Evaluation Unit for West Africa that BRAC established
in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in July 2009. The unit
provides analytical support to BRAC Sierra Leone
and BRAC Liberia and is responsible for small scale
operational research for the betterment of the various
programmes in West Africa, such as microfinance,
health, agriculture and livestock by giving quick
feedback. It also assesses the impact of BRAC’s
programmes in both Sierra Leone and Liberia. The
unit is comprised of five researchers and four data-
entry operators who are responsible for storing all
primary data into the computer following specific
guidelines.
Both Sierra Leone and Liberia have poor statistical
data as a consequence of the civil war. All
information is outdated, whereas the programmes
require recent information to serve the community
best. The Research and Evaluation Unit assists the
programmes in collecting census data from the
community to identify the programmes’ target people
and ensure data is systemic and reliable. The unit
also stores all primary data electronically and
provides necessary information to the respective
programmes.
In 2009, we completed four research studies and
BRAC continues to monitor and evaluate its
programmes in the region. Additionally, the Research
and Evaluation unit has planned an evaluation study
both in Sierra Leone and Liberia to assess the impact
after one year of programme activities. The study is
currently in the design stage which is expected to be
completed by March 2010. In early 2010, we will
recruit a number of Liberians to support our country
programme and the Research Evaluation Unit as data
entry operators.
Trainees participating in aCHV training session atBRAC’s GardnersvilleBranch in Monrovia.
Both Sierra Leone and Liberia have poor statistical data asa consequence of the civil war. All information is outdated,whereas the programmes require recent information. TheResearch and Evaluation Unit assists the programmes incollecting census data from the community to identify theprogrammes’ target people and ensure data is systemicand reliable.
Felicia Kargbo, Area
Health Extension Officer,
conducts CHV Training
at BRAC’s Gardnersville
Branch in Monrovia.
INVESTORSThe BRAC programmes in Liberia were launchedthrough a unique partnership with the SorosEconomic Development Fund, Open Society InstituteWest Africa, Omidyar Network and Humanity United.In addition to supporting BRAC Liberia through grantfunds, the Omidyar Network and the Soros EconomicDevelopment Fund are active investors in the BRACLiberia Microfinance Company, with a 49% equitystake and representation on its governing board. Ofthe nine members of the finance company board, fiveare BRAC representatives, two are from Open SocietyInstitute West Africa, one from Soros EconomicDevelopment Fund, and one from Omidyar Network.
This partnership signifies joint ownership andcommitment, and is a vote of confidence in BRAC’sapproach towards development as it expands intopoor and conflict-ridden countries in West Africa. Asco-owners and investors of economic developmentand social change in Liberia, the Omidyar Network andSoros represent anchor support to BRAC’s nascentoperations, thereby creating leverage and attractingadditional investment. Most recently, the UnitedNations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) providedgrant support to the Liberia Microfinance Company.
Working with the Government of Liberia
Since we started our operations in Liberia in 2008,BRAC has developed very strong ties with theGovernment of Liberia. Our programmes support thecountry’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, which is to beimplemented between 2009 and 2012 but will extendbeyond this period. The Poverty Reduction Strategy(PRS) aims at reducing poverty in Liberia through,among others, the stimulation of rapid, inclusive andsustainable economic growth.
Some of the collaboration initiatives between BRACand the Government of Liberia include:
Microfinance: Before starting our microfinanceactivities, we ensured the approval from and supportof the Ministries concerned. The Ministry of ForeignAffairs issued the Articles of Incorporation, and weregistered BRAC Liberia Microfinance Company Ltd.with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Health: BRAC obtained permission from the Ministryof Health and Social Welfare to run the EssentialHealth Care Programme in the country andcollaborates closely with the Ministry by participatingin partner meetings and national events andcampaigns on TB, malaria, polio and yellow fever.
partnerships
BRAC also collaborates with the County health teamsand took part in critical workshops for thedevelopment of a national health strategy.
Agriculture, Livestock and Poultry: For ourAgriculture, Livestock and Poultry Programme, BRACensures maximum involvement and streamlining withthe Government of Liberia’s policies by taking part inthe Agriculture coordination meetings which are heldmonthly and participating in strategic planningworkshops for the agriculture sector.
Before starting activities for our Health and Agriculture,Livestock and Poultry Programmes, Articles ofIncorporation for the NGO BRAC Liberia were issuedby the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the NGO wasregistered by the Ministry of Planning and EconomicAffairs, and accreditation was given by the Ministry ofHealth and Social Welfare and the Ministry ofAgriculture. We provide progress reports to therespective Ministries on a regular basis.
Other CollaborationBRAC strives to ensure collaboration with keyorganisations and institutions in its areas of operation tocreate the greatest possible impact with itsprogrammes. Since the beginning of our operations in
microfinance, we have shared our programmeknowledge with organisations such as LEAP andLiberty Finance, the Central Bank of Liberia, AccessBank and EcoBank as well as UNDP and UNCDF. Forour Agriculture Programme, we consult with CARI, theCentral Agricultural Research Institute, which is the onlyLiberian Government owned and operated researchentity on agricultural matters.
“This roadmap for our future [...] reflectsthe inputs of citizens from all of Liberia’s15 counties [...] Reducing poverty is notsomething this government can doalone. It is something we must all do [...]We ask [our development partners] torefocus their policies and programmes inalignment with the strategy.”
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the PovertyReduction Strategy
20/21BRAC Liberia Annual Report 2009
BRAC InternationalOperations
A
Sierra Leone
Liberia
Initiated:2008
Programme Focus:Microfinance, health, agriculture,poultry and livestock programmes
Microcredit Group Members:13,325
Initiated:2008
Programme Focus:Microfinance, health, agriculture,poultry and livestock programmes
Microcredit Group Members:10,092
I
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
TanzaniaUganda
Initiated:2002
Programme Focus:Education, Health, EnterpriseDevelopment, Microfinance,Capacity Development andNational Solidarity Programmes
Microcredit Group Members:204,022
Initiated:2007
Programme Focus:Microfinance and Education
Microcredit Group Members: 62,495
Initiated:2005
Programme Focus: Sustainable livelihood and long-term rehabilitation programme,microfinance and strengthening thecapacity of local non-governmentorganisations
Microcredit Group Members:1,00,402
Initiated:2006
Programme Focus: Microfinance, livelihoodand business development,agriculture, and essentialcommunity health care
Microcredit Group Members: 112,709
Initiated:2007
Programme Focus:Income Generation for VulnerableGroup Development Programme(IGVGDP), microfinance, education,health and agriculture
Microcredit Group Members:22,303
Microcredit Group Members:155,960
Programme Focus:Microfinance, health, agriculture,poultry and livestock, empowermentand livelihood for adolescents, andyouth education
Initiated:2006
Southern Sudan
Programme Update as of December 2009
Branch Managers
Credit Officers
Accounts Assistants
Area Accounts Assistants
Community Health Workers
Health Trainer
Area Health Extension Officers
Branch Agriculture Extension Supervisors
Area Agriculture Extension Officers
Branch Livestock Volunteer Supervisors
Area Livestock Extension Officer
Support Staff
Liberia Staff(as of 31 December, 2009)
Total number of Counties covered 6 (out of 15)
Total number of branches 20
Total number of area offices 4
Country Offices 2
Liberian staff 161
Expatriate staff 15
Programme outreach
Agriculture Extension Workers trained 50
Model farmers trained 1,875
Livestock Volunteers trained 40
No. of birds vaccinated 11,299
Broiler rearers supported 6
Agriculture, Livestock and Poultry (since 2009)
Microloan groups 404 (10 branches)
Microloan group members 10,092 (10 branches)
Borrowers (current) 8,033
Microloans disbursement (cumulative) USD 1,667,389
Microloans outstanding (as of Dec 2009) USD 1,175,760
Average loan size USD 208
Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) trained 197
Community Health Workers (CHWs) trained 40
No. of households visited monthly by CHVs (est.) 35,000
No. of community health meetings held 6,557
No. of health meeting participants 48,429
Patients treated by CHVs 13,175
Microfinance (since June 2009) Health (since 2009)
51
1019
10
10
4
2
2
1
40 10
2
Concept & Design: Mahbub/Drik
Photography: BRAC/Jake Lyell
Production: Drik, Bangladesh (www.drik.net)
BRAC International
Aminul AlamExecutive Director
Imran MatinDeputy Executive Director
BRAC Head Office
BRAC Centre75 MohakhaliDhaka 1212, BangladeshTel: + 880-2 9881265-72Fax: +880-2 8823542, 8823614Email: [email protected]
BRAC Liberia
Mohammed Abdus SalamCountry Manager
Allison Street, Congo TownP.O. Box 2549, MonroviaLiberiaTel: +231 (0) 6-589539+231 (0) 77-589539www.brac.net