Thank you 🙏🏿 to all our #volunteers ! Today is your day - We celebrate you #IVD17 💥 💥 Who else wants to spread #awareness about #menstrualhygiene across #ghana & #empower young girls ? Become a #faytex #ambassador through our #volunteer program. At the same time you will be trained & guided to sharpen your #leadership skills. #internationalvolunteerday @unvolunteers #volunteerwork #giveback and grow #supportyourcommunity #supportwomen #saynotoperiodpoverty #faytexcaresforyou

Francine Carron December 6, 2017

International Volunteer Day

A big thanks to all our microStart volunteers!

Volunteering is the way of life. I myself volunteered for Benevolab BNP Paribas Fortis and Exchangevzw in Rwanda to develop a strategic plan for a local tea Union in Rwanda. I learned so much that I agreed to remain as a consultant on their team.

Now I am also volunteering for Exchangevzw as a Country Coordinator for Uganda.

I would like to encourage everyone to volunteer! & again many thanks to the microStart volunteers supporting my office everyday!

Francine Carron December 5, 2015

Francine Carron October 27, 2015

Vrijwilligersbeurs in Merksem

Momenteel staan Jente en ik op de Vrijwilligersbeurs in Merksem. Zoals ik vorige week reeds schreef vrijwilligt 1 op 8 in Vlaanderen. Wij zijn steeds op zoek naar meer vrijwilligers om onze organisatie te steunen. Onze ondernemers hebben extra begeleiding nodig voor de opstart en/of uitbreiding van hun zaak. Via vrijwilligers kunnen wij de gratis cursussen Bedrijfsbeheer, KickStart, boekhouden, sociale media marketing, projectmontage en coaching. Momenteel zoeken wij mensen die kunnen begeleiden maar ook een vrijwilliger gespecialiseerd in wordpress. Bij ons krijg je een immersie in de wereld van microkredieten. In Merksem zijn we specifiek op zoek naar vrijwilligers en mensen die ons kunnen helpen om meer ondernemers in Antwerpen op te starten. Welke cursussen bieden we ? Even enkele info: Wat is Bedrijfsbeheer? Deze cursus overloopt alle kennis die je nodig hebt om het examen Bedrijfsbeheer van het Agentschap Ondernemen te slagen. In 6 sessies overlopen we met jou een aantal type vragen en verhogen jouw slaagkansen op het examen. De deelname is volledig gratis. Inschrijven op het MicroStart kantoor is wel verplicht. KickStart? Ben je opstart klaar maar heb je nood om je project te evalueren en te structureren? Dan is Kickstart iets voor jou! In 3 weken en 8 sessies overlopen we alle aspecten van het ondernemersplan, alsook de praktische stappen die je moet doorlopen om als ondernemer te starten. Boekhouden? Deze cursus helpt je om de taken van je boekhouder beter te begrijpen en om op een eenvoudige manier uw administratie en financiële opvolging op orde te krijgen. Aan de hand van praktische oefeningen leer je de voornaamste boekhoudkundige regels en leer je een efficiënt documentenbeheer. Vanaf 6 kandidaten kan de cursus worden ingepland. Projectmontage ? In een individuele afspraak van 1 uur overloopt een expert uw ondernemers -of financieel plan. Hij analyseert, overdenkt en structureert met jou de verschillende aspecten van uw idee en toetst de haalbaarheid. Contacteer ons: francine.carron@microstart.be

This is what I am going to read during my flight. Les trois petits paniers Rwandais and the brs annual report send to me by Koen Peeters, author of the book and head of CSR KBC Bank.

Francine Carron September 19, 2015

The Land of a thousand hills !
The preparatory work with Benevolab and Exchangevzw is done. My research is completed as well. I am ready to pack actually.
I realised that going on a mission will result into 18 hours of a work a day. (I remember how it was like setting up the microStart branch in Antwerp.) So I am pretty sure UCTCCN are going to want me working at 110% which I am more than happy to do. I want them to receive the best support ever. Hence I planned a vacation in a Rwanda after completing the mission.
While working there I am planning on taking a break to see the following:
1. Volcano/ gorilla hike visit Musanze caves
2. Go to Kibuye, relax do a boat ride and visit God’s bed
3. Complete the entire Nile - Congo trail by bike
4. Go to Akagera Safari Park
5. Visit Nyungwe, walk across the canopy and stop at the last Royal House.
Considering Rwanda is about the size of Belgium I looked at the map and figured that with a good SUV this should all be possible in 5 days. Although Rwanda has an extensive road network, I didn’t realise that Rwanda’s rural areas road network hasn’t been completed. Therefore road travel can be slow and complicated.
I had been given the price of 3600 USD that included 3 hotel nights in mid-luxury range hotels/lodging, private driver/car hire 4X4 SUV for 5 days, private guide, food, safari permit, gorilla permits, etc. I was surprised by this price. I knew that the price for a gorilla permit was 750 UD and had a budget of 2000 euro in mind. We are talking almost double now. I thought I was getting conned and decided to contact all the tour operators listed in the Rwandan Tours and Travel Association. http://www.rttarwanda.org/content/our-members I asked them to give me a quotation of the three different itineraries. I received many responses in a very short time. The prices were all between 3000 USD and 7000 USD. Some agencies had slightly adapted the itineraries and had given other hotel options. One tour operator even send me an excel sheet with everything detailed out.
I decided to drop Akagame Park as I am planning to conduct a safari in Tanzania next year. I also dropped the bike Nile Congo river ride as I bike as slow as a snail. I am not in the best shape of my life considering I used to run collegiate track. My friends have seen me bike and wonder each time how come I don’t fall off as my speed is almost at standstill. Many tourists in good shape havent been able to complete the bike ride. Cancelling those 2 activities brings the price down to 3250 USD. I am going to have to dig in my savings but I am convinced it will be worth every penny!

Now I need to start packing!
2 weeks in Gisenyi in the tea plantations, 1 week hiking and a few days visiting Kigali staying with my friend’s mom (Mrs. Anne-Marie Katengwa) who is the owner of Chez Lando in Kigali. As a female entrepreneur in Rwanda, she has a lot of important contacts and arranged for me a meeting to represent Exchangevzw at the Rwandan Board of Development (http://www.rdb.rw)
What do I need to take for a business/holiday trip? I might have to do some online shopping!

Francine Carron September 17, 2015

Union des Cooperatives Theicoles de la Crete Congo Nil - UCTCCN.

Francine Carron September 12, 2015

Before calling the UCTCCN coordinator I decided to research as much as I could on tea. Realising I am no tea producing expert I understand that there are some issues with the tea cooperatives in Rwanda as there are only 3 factories and some of the cooperatives are a bit far away from the factory. Tea leaves need to be brought to the factory as soon as possible to guarantee the premium tea quality. Most of the tea being sold is from Kenya while Rwandan tea is actually of higher quality but not well known. Rwanda has clear guidelines in relation to tea production. Online a lot of information can be found on tea production: http://www.ifad.org/english/operations/pf/rwa/i596rw/web/teac1_intro1.htm

I contacted Numerien the coordinator of UCTCCN and received all the necessary information. UCTCCN was created in 2007 and operates from the district RUBAVU, sector Nyundo. UCTCCN is a co-operative consisting of 4 more cooperatives. These being 1) Cooperative théicoles de la Pfunda (COOTP), 2) Cooperative théicole de Ramba (COTRAGAG), 3) Cooperative théicoles de Gasiza (COOPTHEGA) 4) Cooperative théicole de Rutsiro (RUTEGROC). The entire union consists of 5538 individuals. This is going to be one hell of a mission!

My job is to assist in creating a strategic plan to make the union more professional in order for it to be an added value for the small tea farmers. On top of that UCTCCN would like me to create an initial framework for creating a microfinance and microsavings division inside the tea union. So that tea farmers can go to their cooperative to resolve their financial problems.

I have 2 weeks to do this. I doubt 2 weeks will be sufficient so they have mailed me already as much information as currently available.

One thing I am wondering is whether this tea union is FairTrade certified? I am definitely going to enlighten myself on how to become a FairTrade producer in Rwanda. http://www.fairtrade.net/becoming-a-fairtrade-producer.html

Preparing for Rwanda!
Before starting to discuss the entire project with the Rwandan Organisation ‘Union des cooperatives Théicoles de la Crete Congo Nil - UCTCCN’ I have to be interviewed by Exhange vzw. (http://www.exchangevzw.be)
Exchange vzw is a Belgian organisation that offers companies and organisations the possibility to benefit from a wide range of voluntary top experts. Exchange offers expertise almost for free so that companies in developing countries can grow the (local) economy to create new jobs. Companies and socio-economic organisations whom comply with a set of clearly defined selection criteria can apply for assistance of a volunteer expert. Exchange vzw learned throughout the years that there is a tangible need for assistance on a technical or management level.
What is Exchange vzw procedure ? The selected volunteer expert and the company exchange of knowledge takes place directly. The entrepreneur/ company asks himself for expertise as he understands best what the needs of the company exactly are. The company decides which expert he wishes to collaborate with. (Me in this case!..yay.) Afterwards, an intensive exchange of knowledge and cross-pollination between both parties takes place. Exchange obtains tangible results with an absolute minimum of means. Voluntary high-level experts with the right competences, a proven track record and intrinsic motivation help companies expand or improve. Exchange funds itself via private companies and subsidies in the West whom are interested in giving ‘free consulting’ to help other companies.
I am nervous about the interview with Exchangevzw, it feels like going to a job interview all over again! What wil they ask? I am not a tea expert - I am knowledgable about the genocide but I am not an expert on Central and East Africa… So everything continues with Google search…
1. Youtube: is a good help starting with the US Policy toward Rwanda - Congressional hearing held on May 20, 2015 : 2,5 hours of listening while cleaning around the house gives you a little maybe ?‘biased? inside into Rwandan politics at the moment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMPSNh690NY
2. While reading the history of Rwanda all over again, I was shocked to find out that it was the Belgians who created such a large division between the Hutus and Tutsis. The Belgian colonials arrived and measured the noses of the local population. Hutus had bigger noses whereas Tutsis had slimmer more European-like noses. Everyone received an ID card that said whether they were Hutus or Tutsis. Such a division didn’t really exist in pre-colonial Rwanda. Being a Hutu or a Tutsi had more to do with how much wealth a person had. However, it was the Belgians who created the ethnical divide in Rwanda which later was a basis for genocide propoganda. While growing up in Belgium, we were not taught in elementary school why there was such a division between Hutus and Tutsis. We used to watch the news in 1994 of the genocide in school and were thought that it was the savage behaviour of the African people. (A good thing that there is now a movement called #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou). The 1994 genocide images have always stuck with me,… the red-colored rivers, the dead bodies floating…as a child I felt much pain for the Rwandan people.
Enough history read,
3. Tripadvisor: While going through traveller photos my love for Rwanda is growing stronger. Magnificent pictures by those travellers, I can’t get enough. Those mountains are beyond fantastic. My friends are telling me: ‘Now that you have seen the entire country online there is no more point to go.’ They are scared that I will be travelling alone. Most people still have those horrible genocide pictures of Rwanda in their head. After viewing Rwanda’s nature for hours I am convinced this might be the most beautiful place on earth.
4. Pinterest & Instagram: are good tools to learn about activities in Rwanda. On Instagram I learned that women are allowed in the Rwandan army just as Israel. Rwanda is one of the largest contributors of soldiers to the UN deployment missions. Rwanda also has 60% women in the government. Seems like Rwanda is the place to be for career driven women. #noglassceiling All of a sudden Rwanda is starting to sound as a better place to live than Belgium.
5. Stromae: is the most famous Belgian international artists and is of Rwandan origin. After scrolling down on his Facebook page I read that he has cancelled his concerts in Congo and Rwanda. It might be moved to September. Hopefully I ll be there as well! I definitely can’t wait to sing a long to Papaoutai in Kigali.
6. My personal contacts/ The importance of alumni networks: Who better to contact than my Rwandese friend Nausicaa HK whom I went to the international university (http://www.vesalius.edu) Vesalius College with in 2003? Last time I checked Nausicaa was working as a communication officer for UNDP in Kigali. I contact her on Facebook, Ubuntu she says! In no time I know everything about Rwanda and now have a place to stay in Kigali as Nausicaa is inviting me. That makes me think…Who else do I know? Aha! Anne-Marie from SN Brussels was previously station manager in Monrovia and is now based in Kigali. It seems as if I am going to have a good time in Rwanda and now I am ready for the interview with Exchangevzw.

Francine Carron September 3, 2015

A new challenge !
A year and half ago I set up a microfinance branch in Antwerp, Belgium for microStart the largest microfinance institution in the country. I was so excited to have been selected for this particular function. It has been my long time career dream to combine business and social work. Due to long, intensive working hours and a great team that I hired our microfinance branch has become a success. It was a tough time but looking back we had so much fun. Being a microfinance manager is no longer a job but it has become my life style. Now that we have exceeded our targets and the agency is running smoothly I have time again for new personal ventures. So I began searching around…
As microStart shares are 70% owned by BNP Paribas ‘Fortis’, (one of the largest bank groups in the world https://www.bnpparibasfortis.be ), I came in contact with BenevoLab headed by Chantal Katamari. (http://benevolab.org) BenevoLab is an organisation supported by BNP Paribas Fortis that offers everyone the opportunity to volunteer their skills to MicroFinance Institutions (MFI) and international NGO working on projects with a high social and economic impact. In my office, I work constantly with volunteers supporting our customers and agency so I thought to myself why not take a short time off and take on the challenge to volunteer myself?
BenevoLab send me different missions across the world and I applied for a mission in Gisenyi, Rwanda. I had never been to East Africa and I have been dying to go for the longest. I was beyond happy to find out that the Rwandese organisation had selected my CV versus someone with +25 years of experience. They had written me an email that they were delighted to have my expertise due to the fact I had already set up a microfinance branch.
Ten years of hard work living, studying and working in Brussels, Antwerp, Beaumont, Monrovia, Houston, Nashik, Pune, Sevilla, Lagos, Rotterdam, Paris, Lissabon, Abuja, Port Harcourt while raising my kid; I am now going to Kigali, Gisenyi Rwanda for a short time!
The mission/project is to develop a strategic plan for L’Union des cooperatives Théicoles de la Crete Congo Nil, UCTCCN and proposing a framework for setting up a microfinance institution.

Francine Carron August 30, 2015