Looking for a career with a purpose ?
Check out the vacancy at exchange vzw.
The same partner organisation that is sending me to Rwanda.
Vacancy of project manager/ communication.
www.exchangevzw.be/nl/nieuws
Union des Cooperatives Theicoles de la Crete Congo Nil - UCTCCN.
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
One more quick charity before I am leaving.
One more week and I am finally leaving for Rwanda but first I want to do something small for the refugees. Every newspaper, tweet or Facebook post one sees at the moment is about the refugee crisis in Europe. European governments aren’t keen on taking in refugees and are pretty much waisting time on red tape. In order to help I decided to use our microStart Antwerp microfinance agency as a drop off for clothing and other household supplies in good condition for refugees. Today, we have already collected a full room of quality material ready for donation to NGO’s that work with refugees.
While stacking the boxes on top of each other I remembered the story of Omarghol Fawad, one of my microfinance customers in November 2014. He was a refugee from Afghanistan and needed a microcredit to expand his carwash. For most banks Omarghol Fawad was ‘unbankable’. When I met Omarghol Fawad and his wife I immediately knew they were credit worthy. They had met each other in a refugee center in Belgium, they had the right to take welfare but never did. They went straight from the refugee center to starting up their own business. Today, we have given 400,000 euro in microcredits to the Afghan community in Antwerp. Most of them were refugees. It is a known fact that humanitarian refugees have the highest rate of business ownership of all recent migrants. This fact does not only count for Australia but most countries around the world.
“Goed dat ik jong ben” →
“GOED DAT IK JONG BEN”
Anderhalf jaar geleden startte ze ‘from scratch’ de Antwerpse vestiging van Microstart op. Daarvoor legde kersvers Exchange-experte Francine Carron al een opmerkelijk professioneel internationaal parcours af via onder meer Zuid-Europa, de VS, India & West-Afrika. Binnen enkele weken begint ze aan haar eerste opdracht voor onze organisatie. Een ideaal moment om een kort portret van deze gedreven dame te schetsen.
MSA Francine
Exchange: Toen we voor het eerste je CV lazen, zagen we er niet meteen een duidelijke lijn in. Begrijp je dat?
Francine Carron: “Ergens wel, hoewel er wel degelijk een logica in zit. Ik volgde mijn middelbare school in Houston, Texas en ging toen Internationale Betrekkingen studeren eerst in de Verenigde Staten en studeerde af in Brussel. Mijn eerste professionele ervaring deed ik op bij het United Nations Office for Project Services in Liberia. Het was die ervaring die het zaadje plantte om de daaropvolgende jaren bij grote spelers als Procter & Gamble, Jones Lang LaSalle en Engel & Volkers jobs aan te nemen als projectleider en commercieel agente. Toen ik ten gevolge van de financiële crisis mijn job verloor, ging ik opnieuw studeren: een master Politieke Communicatie aan de Universiteit Antwerpen en vervolgens ook een MBA Global Management aan de Antwerp Management School. Daarna volgde een periode als founding partner scheepsmakelaardij en een jaar marketingconsultancy bij Groupon. In 2013 startte ik mijn eigen fliantropische project: via ProNetwork ondersteunen we mensen die moeilijkheden hebben bij het solliciteren.”
Exchange: Sinds anderhalf jaar heb je Microstart Antwerpen op de kaart gezet.
Francine Carron: “Precies. Voor mij is het een soort best of two worlds. Er zit in mijn werk een duidelijke businesscomponent, maar ook het humanitaire vind ik belangrijk. Bij Microstart verstrekken we immers microkredieten aan starters en kleine ondernemers die niet de nodige financiering vinden bij de klassieke banken. Het betreft leningen tot 15.000 euro. Vaak gaat het om nieuwe Belgen van de eerste generatie, denk bijvoorbeeld aan vluchtelingen uit Syrië. Die mensen weten wel degelijk hoe ze moeten ondernemen, maar beschikken helaas niet over een startkapitaal. Het kunnen overigens net zo goed jonge wolven van bij ons zijn die bij de grootbank niet au sérieux worden genomen. Daar maken wij het verschil.”
IMG_1673-2
Exchange: Is het risico dan niet ontzettend groot?
Francine Carron: (lacht) “Dat is nu typisch de manier waarop een klassieke kredietverstrekker denkt! Uiteraard gaan we bekijken hoe het businessplan van elk dossier in elkaar zit en verder onderzoeken we ook de omgeving van de ondernemer. Dat leidt ertoe dat ik bijvoorbeeld de moskee binnenstap of met de familie van de kredietaanvrager ga praten. Net zoals Exchange, werkt ook Microstart met vrijwilligers die de ondernemers bijstaan met raad en daad. Zo verkleinen we de kans op mislukking.”
Exchange: Ze falen dus wel degelijk?
Francine Carron: “We hebben op anderhalf jaar tijd zo’n 170 kredieten verstrekt en dit vooral voor zaken die deel uitmaken van de lokale middenstand: een fietsenhandel, een voedingswinkel, een kweekbedrijf enz. Maar ook een start-up in ICT of een taxibedrijf zit in onze portfolio. Deze zaken hebben het lang niet makkelijk. De economie ondervindt nog steeds de naweeën van de crisis. Als het met een bepaalde zaak dreigt mis te gaan, dan zullen wij verdere ondersteuning bieden of ze begeleiden naar een veilige exit, zonder dat er diepe financiële putten worden geslagen.”
francine-carron
Exchange: En dan de hamvraag: wat brengt jou bij Exchange?
Francine Carron: “Microstart wordt ondersteund door BNP Paribas Fortis. Sinds jullie met deze bank een partnerschap aangingen, zag ik geregeld projectoproepen van jullie verschijnen. Toen ik vernam dat een theecoöperatie in Rwanda een strategisch expert zocht, was ik meteen kandidaat! In mijn huidige functie bij Microstart heb ik voortdurend contact met mensen uit alle hoeken van de wereld. Alleen speelt alles zich in Antwerpen af. Vandaar dat het kriebelt om opnieuw een internationale uitdaging aan te gaan.”
Exchange: Wat wordt er precies van je verwacht?
Francine Carron: “De coöperatie wil dat ik hen ondersteun bij het uitwerken van een toekomststrategie. Daarnaast zouden zich ook als lokale microfinacieringsinstelling willen gaan profileren. Over de haalbaarheid van dat laatste heb ik wel mijn twijfels. Sowieso is het van hier uit erg moeilijk om de huidige situatie van de coöperatie te kunnen inschatten. Veel zal pas ter plaatse duidelijk worden.”
Exchange: Het wordt je eerste project voor Exchange. Bovendien ben je jong en heb je Rwanda nog nooit in bezocht. Niet nerveus?
Francine Carron: “(kordaat) Integendeel! Ik heb al heel wat internationale ervaring. En omdat mijn vader in Liberia woont en mijn moeder in Nigeria, heeft het continent geen grote geheimen meer voor mij. Ik denk trouwens dat het net goed is dat ik jong ben. Ik trek met een heel open vizier naar Gisenyi om er mezelf vanaf 19 september twee weken lang voor de volle 110% in te zetten.”
Exchange: 110%?
Francine Carron: “In de banksector is 100% misschien het maximum, maar voor Exchange mag het wat mij betreft wat meer zijn (plooit dubbel)!”
Je kan Francines Exchange-project volgen op haar blog: microfinancemasala.tumblr.com.
I am pleased to announce the launch of our new #microfinance website! www.microstart.be
9 reasons why I am already in love with Rwanda before leaving
There was no reason to stress over the interview with Exchangevzw. The organisation is very welcoming and just wanted to explain their way of working. BenevoLab by BNP Paribas Fortis will coach me before the mission and take care of the airfare while Exchangevzw arranges the VISA, vaccinations, per diems and ‘Union des cooperatives Théicoles de la Crete Congo Nil’ takes care of the accommodation. Everything is clear and well organised. Now it is my turn getting in touch with ‘UCTCCN’ and understand the mission completely.
No matter how it goes I have already fallen in love with Rwanda. Below are my 9 reasons why I have already fallen in love with Rwanda.
1. Bisoko Volcano and Gorilla hike in Musanze has me dreaming away… Apparently there are also non-touristic caves to visit.
2. Gisenyi/ Kibuye/ the Congo Nile trail looks lovely for a good bike and boat ride.
3. Kigali, a modern city with so much history. Nice bars, clubs, views of the land of the thousand hills. The fashion looks beyond trendy in Kigali, everyone knows I love African contemporary fashion so I cant wait to go shopping for prints in Kigali!
4. Akagera Game Park: A safari I havent done that before !
5. Nyungwe park: The canopy walk! I am so afraid of heights but I have to do this!
6. Hotel Rwanda: the Hollywood Genocide Rwanda movie was about Hotel des miles Collines by Kempinski. That definitely seems worth a visit.
7. Goma in Congo Kinshasha is 5 minutes away from Gisenyi. It is possible to cross the border via Gisenyi to Goma. (Unfortunately, Belgium’ foreign affairs department gives a negative advice to cross the border in Goma due to rebel activities on the Congolese side.)
8. Lake Kivu, photo via Pinterest via camera_Rwanda. Swimming in a volcanic lake that would be another first! People have melted/drowned in this lake as the volcano releases acids in the water. Apparently it is best to check where the local population swims and swim in the same spot.
9. I love tea and Rwanda produces the best premium quality tea in the world! I can’t wait to consult UCTCCN! = Tea Lover consulting a Tea Co-op; I <3 it !
Now it is time to contact Union des cooperatives Théicoles de la Crete Congo nil, UCTCCN and get down to business.
If governments don’t help we can! #refugeeswelcome #refugeecrisiseurope
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.
On my way to work I see a lot of depressing faces… Not me though; I love my job! Nothing but a big Smile! #microfinance #microfinancemasala (at Microstart Antwerpen)
Follow my #microfinance adventures on @tumblr ! microfinancemasala.tumblr.com #microfinancemasala Next mission #Rwanda #Gisenyi
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.