Where we work

South Asia

East Asia
• China
• East Timor
• Indonesia
• The Philippines
◦ ASHI
    ◦ CARD
    ◦ CCT
    ◦ NWTF
    ◦ TSPI

Latin America / Caribbean

Middle East / North Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

United States

Grameen Foundation : Where we work : East Asia : The Philippines : ASHI

Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI)

Status snapshot as of March 2008
Active clients	21,333
Loan portfolio (USD)	$3,083,717
Portfolio At Risk >30 days*	2.1%
* Value of all loans outstanding that have one or more installments past due more than 30 days

Founded in 1989, ASHI is one of the first replicators of Grameen Bank methodology in the Philippines. Its motto, “Hope through Self-Help,” demonstrates its mission that through unity, discipline, hard work, and perseverance, clients will be empowered to rise out of poverty. ASHI serves as an agent of change among the poorest of women, acting on the premise that given direct access to non-collateralized loan funds, the poor can increase their income and employment opportunities – and thus contribute significantly to the country’s social and economic development.

ASHI operates primarily in the rural and semi-urban areas of Laguna, Rizal, Antique and Metro Manila. With its growth and achievements during the last decade, it has become a role model in credit delivery to the poor in the Philippines. As a Grameen Bank replicator, ASHI aims to be profitable and fully self-supporting in order to reach more poor women in the community.

Outreach:

ASHI grew from 10,733 clients in 2004 to over 17,000 clients in 2007. Using a methodology developed by the U.S. Agency for International Development, an impact study found that ASHI made remarkable changes in the lives of clients, their households, and their communities. From 1997 to 2000, nearly one quarter of ASHI clients crossed the poverty line, and an additional 50 percent moved from the category of “very poor” to “moderately poor.”

Grameen Foundation support:

Grameen Foundation provided $27,100 to ASHI for loans to clients and operational support and continues to work with ASHI management to identify areas of support.

Impact:

A recent impact study using a methodology developed by the U.S. Agency for International Development found that as a newly streamlined operation catering to the poorest, ASHI has made remarkable changes in the lives of clients and their households and communities. According to the study, between 1997 and 2000, nearly one quarter of ASHI clients crossed the poverty line and an additional 50% moved up from the category of "very poor" to "moderately poor." In other words, nearly three-quarters of the clients made substantial improvements in their socio-economic conditions.

The income provided by engaging in micro-enterprise activities translated to better nutrition, access to health care services, children's education, and improved housing for the clients and their families. The study found that clients invested 50% of their income in children's education or housing improvements.

Grameen Foundation : Where we work : East Asia : The Philippines : ASHI