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The year ending 2005 saw significant progress for the Turkish Grameen Microcredit Project (TGMP). For the first time, TGMP's operations have been computerized and now all of our accounts and records are being kept electronically. An expert from Grameen Communications (GC) in Bangladesh spent time with us to help install the new software system and train all our officers in its application. After some initial glitches, TGMP decided to ask for a resource person from GC for three months to help smooth the process.
In the mean time, we successfully completed our annual closing; according to our final report, both Diyarbakir and Bismil branches earned profits in 2005.
Right now, the weather has become very harsh. To help our members cope with a severe winter, we distributed around 500 kg of coal for each family with the support of the Social Solidarity Foundation.
In other news, the Governor of the Province of Van is planning to implement a microcredit project in his province. For this purpose, he has requested for technical assistance from Grameen. Our colleague, Mr. Matin has been sent on deputation for a month to provide this assistance, in order to help set up the project in Van.
Finally, Professor Aziz Akgül, Chief of the Turkish Foundation for Waste Reduction, the organization sponsoring TGMP, has contributed US$5000 to Grameen Trust, in support of our mutual efforts in poverty alleviation through microcredit.
We hope that 2006 will create new opportunities for TGMP, and we look forward to another successful year in combating poverty in Turkey.
Shamsul Alam Khan Chowdhury
Project Director
Turkish Grameen Microcredit Project (TGMP)
January 2006 |
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