Zsowpf

Postcards from two weeks in Madagascar

Hello from Antananarivo!

One Acre Fund Tanzania farmers in Wanging'ombe district are signing up for input loans for the upcoming agricultural season. One Acre Fund started serving farmers in this district and region last year, with WPF support.

Enjoying the view of the famous Iringa sunset after an unexpectedly long journey full of flight delays!

Hello from the Nile! Daniel and I are in Uganda this week to visit WPF partner Village Enterprise. We decided to check out Murchison Falls en route. Next stop: Gulu.

Breakfast buddy in Bujumbura

The Dead Sea. It's about 9 times saltier than the ocean.

Eating and eating and eating so many delicious foods in Israel. Some pleasant surprises: vegan labne, pickled and stuffed hibiscus flower, whole roasted cauliflower.

Loved hanging out with some very inspiring women in East Jerusalem - KIEDF field staff and their clients who have taken group loans for diverse businesses including upholstery, embroidery, cosmetics, and selling housewares. We also visited another group of young female borrowers who have related businesses offering services only for women: a gym with weight machines and zumba classes; a sportswear shop, and massage and other wellness services -- all housed in the same one story building.

Hello from Nazareth! Today I'm in northern Israel visiting WPF partner KIEDF.

Hello from Mosi-oa-Tunya ("The Smoke that Thunders"), also known as Victoria Falls.

During a visit to a potential Thrive Zimbabwe borrower, WPF's Global Director of Programs Daniel Zoltani lends a helping hand when it starts to drizzle. Business visits are an integral part of Thrive's loan assessment and approval process.

A flight delay means a little extra time to fill my tummy with pastel de nata. This custardy Portuguese pastry is a culinary ancestor of the Chinese egg tart, a dim sum classic. #mozambique #葡撻 #蛋撻 (at Chimoio)

Entering Chimoio's central market. Today we went to markets in Chimoio and Manica to visit entrepreneurs who have taken business loans from AfricaWorks, WPF's partner in Mozambique.

Standing in Zimbabwe, looking out at the next destination: Mozambique. We'll be spending the next few days visiting WPF partner Africa Works.

It's a busy day here in Accra for the team at Teshie branch of WPF partner ID Ghana. In the morning, credit officers go to repayment meetings. In the afternoon, it's all hands on deck at the branch office to help with loan disbursements. Before they receive their loans, borrowers participate in a training to review the terms of their contracts. They also must have their photos taken with some sample stock from their businesses.

Team Members visited Grameen Ghana clients today in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East region of the country. They also stopped for a doughnut like snack called bofloat (short version of ball float). A bit like a big sweet beignet, or a mandazi from the Swahili coast.