Microfinance with Education

Who are Trainers?

Hundreds of participants in Africa, Asia, and Latin America have received Chalmers training over the years and are implementing what they have learned in their communities. Several examples of trainers are highlighted below.

Daniel Ryumugabe

Mr. Daniel Ryumugabe is the Transformational Impact Manager at URWEGO Opportunity Bank of Rwanda. He is responsible for building the capacity of the microfinance bank by effectively translating the mission, core values and triple bottom line into daily practice. He trains loan officers to integrate economic, social, and spiritual transformation in their services. In 2009 and 2010, Daniel pilot-tested the Chalmers Center’s Business, Home and Health curricula among the clients of URWEGO. Loan officers and clients expressed their excitement in obtaining materials that are practical, holistic, and easy to use in learning technical content from a biblical worldview perspective.

Eva and Sara Mamani

Eva and Sara Mamani are the Lead Researchers and Facilitators at Seeds of Blessing, a Bolivian NGO established in conjunction with Five Talents International. Located in Tarija, Bolivia, Eva and Sara have targeted excluded communities in the Andean valleys of south central Bolivia. Using the Chalmers Center’s training and curriculum, they have started over 30 church-centered savings and credit groups in the wider region, as well as trained various groups in small business, health, and financial management principles. This year, Eva and Sara plan to equip 7 additional coordinators to cover each province where they work. They will train these trainers to form savings groups and mentor the members with further education.

Maria Luz Garcia

Mrs. Maria Luz Garcia works with Hope International as the Community Development and Savings-led Program Advisor. She provides training, technical assistance, and advice to the various savings-led programs of HOPE International. Using Chalmers materials, she started the PEAR Savings and Credit Association (SCA) Program of HOPE International and the Anglican Church of Rwanda where 200+ church leaders were trained to promote savings groups. Mrs. Garcia also has extensive experience in pilot testing the Chalmers Center’s Promoting Church-Centered Savings and Credit Associations curriculum training materials in the Philippines.