Grameen Foundation : Resource Center : Print Newsletter : Winter 2004 : GF-USA Honors Leaders
GFUSA Honors Leading Microfinance Practitioners and Graça Machel
Grameen Foundation USA’s awards program is designed to recognize achievement and innovation in the field of microfinance, as well as to honor individuals who have had a lasting impact on the welfare of poor and vulnerable populations worldwide. On November 5, 2003 in New York City, GFUSA presented its 2003 Excellence Award to the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) of the Philippines, its 2003 Pioneer Award to the Small Enterprise Foundation (SEF) of South Africa, and the 2003 Deutsche Bank Humanitarian Award to Graça Machel, former First Lady of Mozambique and South Africa.
The winners of the Pioneer and Excellence Awards were selected by a panel of experts from among a field of nine nominated microfinance institutions. Aristotle Alip, Chairman of the Board of CARD, was present to accept the 2003 Excellence Award on behalf of his organization. Honored for its outstanding overall achievement, CARD has had a tremendous impact on extreme poverty in the Philippines, growing its active membership to 77,000 and opening up 42 branches since its inception in 1986.
The Pioneer Award is given to recognize programs that bring poverty-focused microfinance to a new and/or uniquely challenging environment. Accepting the Pioneer Award on behalf of SEF was CEO John De Wit. Established in 1992, SEF has grown to reach 18,456 borrowers in the Limpopo province of South Africa— the poorest in the country.
Humanitarian Award winner Graça Machel has been a major force in increasing literacy and schooling in Mozambique and is world-renowned for her commitment to children’s and women’s rights, education, and development. As Mozambique’s Minister for Education until 1989, Graça Machel worked toward the goal of universal education for all Mozambicans. Her efforts directly contributed to an increase in primary and secondary school enrollment between 1975 and 1985, from about 40% of all school-aged children to more than 90% for males and 75% for females.
Ms. Machel has worked for child welfare as President of the National Commission of UNESCO, as Chair of the United Nations’ Study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children, and as Chairperson of the National Organization of Children of Mozambique. As President of the Foundation of Community Development, Ms. Machel has facilitated greater community access to knowledge and technology and promoted patterns of sustainable human development, including microcredit initiatives within South Africa. She is the wife of Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa.
Speakers during the program included Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder and Managing Director of Grameen Bank, Alex Counts, President and CEO of GFUSA, and Seth Waugh, CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas. The ceremony was sponsored by Deutsche Bank and cash prizes of $10,000 each for the Excellence and Pioneer Award winners were provided by the eBay Foundation. Other event sponsors were Capital Group, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Charities, the Open Society Institute, and the United Nations Foundation.
Grameen Foundation : Resource Center : Print Newsletter : Winter 2004 : GF-USA Honors Leaders
Grameen Foundation uses microfinance and innovative technology to fight global poverty and bring opportunities to the world's poorest people. With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women, start businesses and escape poverty. Our global network of 55 microfinance institution (MFI) partners including our Growth Guarantee partners has touched more than 34 million people in 24 countries. In addition, we introduced and now sustain technology initiatives (Mifos and Village Phone) in Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, bringing our total country outreach to 28.
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