Maddocks, William

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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryUNH International Educator Newsletter Global Education CenterSpring 2012Spring 2012, Spring Break in Ghana ImmersesStudents in Cutting-edge MicrofinanceWilliam MaddocksUniversity of New Hampshire - Main Campus, william.maddocks@unh.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/international_newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Global Education Center at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. Ithas been accepted for inclusion in UNH International Educator Newsletter by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars'Repository. For more information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationMaddocks, William, "Spring 2012, Spring Break in Ghana Immerses Students in Cutting-edge Microfinance" (2012). InternationalEducator: the Newsletter of the UNH Global Engagement Editorial Board. 126.https://scholars.unh.edu/international_news/126UNH Center for International Education Newsletterhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2012/spring/carsey-microfinance.html[7/13/2016 12:42:07 PM] SearchThe UNH Center for International Education Newsletter Spring 2012Siddharth Prabhakar ’10, third from left, visits Women’s Trustin Pokuase, Ghana in March 2010Back to index pageSubscribeSPRING BREAK IN GHANA IMMERSES STUDENTS IN CUTTING-EDGEMICROFINANCEby William Maddocks, SMDP CoordinatorEach March, UNH’s Carsey Institute co-sponsors a two-weekintensive training workshop for microfinance professionals inAccra, Ghana. Microfinance is perhaps best known inrelation to the work of the Grameen Bank, making smallbusiness development loans to poor women in Bangladesh. InGhana, microfinance is a broader endeavor, encompassinglending, savings, insurance, and other financial services to arange of customers, from poor rural farmers to somewhatmore affluent urban traders who belong to savingsassociations. Carsey partners with the Ghana MicrofinanceInstitutions Network to present the SustainableMicroenterprise and Development Program (SMDP) — aworld-class training program serving people from all overAfrica.The March SMDP training coincides with spring break atUNH, and for the past three years, UNH undergrads have hadthe unparalleled opportunity to travel to Ghana and be part ofthe team that makes this unique training program possible.With financial support from the President’s Office, studentsvisited small microfinance banks and savings groups ingreater Accra, led focus groups to collect marketing datafrom participants, and learned first-hand about the diverseand dynamic economic development programs whichchallenge systemic poverty in Africa.This short but powerful experience in Ghana clearly makes a lasting impression on the students who participate in this springbreak African adventure. Economics major Siddharth Prabhakar traveled to Ghana with us in March 2010. A few months aftergraduation, he returned to Africa as an intern at a South African microfinance institution. The internship turned into a full-time jobwith the Small Enterprise Foundation, the oldest and most-respected microfinance organization in South Africa. Brittany Hill, a2011 UNH graduate who joined the Ghana SMDP training last year, went on to join the Peace Corps and currently works in localeconomic development in Moldova.UNH Center for International Education Newsletterhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2012/spring/carsey-microfinance.html[7/13/2016 12:42:07 PM]Brittany Hill ’11, interviews a microentrepreneur in Accra, Ghana inMarch 2011The Carsey Institute is proud to directly engagestudents in its development activities abroad. Thespring break program not only gives UNH studentsknowledge and understanding of the social,economic, and cultural richness of Ghana, but also awider insight into the challenges and positivecontribution microfinance initiatives give poorwomen there and throughout Africa.  Copyright © 2015, Center for International Education  •  The University of New Hampshire223 Hood House  •  89 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824tel: 603-862-2398  •  fax: 603-862-0169study.abroad@unh.edu  •  international.affairs@unh.edu

Spring 2012, Spring Break in Ghana Immerses Students in Cutting-edge Microfinance

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Spring 2012, Spring Break in Ghana Immerses Students in Cutting-edge Microfinance

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