Events

The evaluation of Plan’s Community-managed Microfinance programmes in Tanzania was undertaken in the last quarter of 2008. The intention was to conduct an evaluation of this entire initiative throughout Uganda and to analyse both impact and the quality and effectiveness of programme implementation. Owing to the short time-frame (12 days in the field) it was decided to focus on the closest of these programmes, around Kisarawe, about 60 Km to the south of Dar es Salaam, run by a local NGO, Uhamasishaji Hifadhi - Kisarawe (UHIKI).

The livelihood survey of 104 households was conducted, with 69 households that comprised programme participants and 35 of whom were non participants.

This was to evaluate programme impact. To determine programme effectiveness we conducted in-depth interviews with 9 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and collected performance data from another 3. We also looked at Plan Kisarawe’s support to UHIKI and interviewed key UHIKI staff, as well as looking, in-depth, at UHIKI’s management information system, organisational structure and programme administrative systems. We were unable to talk directly to CARE staff who had undertaken the original training of UHIKI, except by telephone, since, at the time of the evaluation, they were working in Mwanza, some 700 Km to the North West.